ToyFair2008
Latest
IDL Motors' linear propulsion system gets demonstrated
We'll be honest with you -- IDL Motors' installation at Toy Fair 2008 was a bit short on details, but we're certainly digging what we saw. Apparently, both the Bullet Train & Cars and Z-drive creations were on display, and while the former used linear propulsion to whiz magnet-laden "cars" around a track, the latter enabled similar vehicles to climb steeper slopes than their previous prototypes. Still, we know what you're here for, so click on through to take a peek at the video.[Via MAKE]
Mattel's D-Rex wants a piece of Pleo, your leg
If you're content with letting time pass you by, you may not realize that this year's holiday shopping season is but ten months away, and apparently, Mattel thinks it's got the whole hottest toy thing figured out already. Granted, we'd place our bets on that wildly animated Elmo Live fellow (and yeah, Kota is a legitimate dark horse), but the $150 D-Rex dinosaur is still pretty slick. Aimed at kids ages six and (way) up, the interactive dino reportedly features 100 different roars, "lifelike" skin (saywha?) and the ability to respond to a variety of commands or simply take a chunk out of your ankle if he prefers. Looks like Pleo's got its work cut out, eh?[Thanks, Braden R.]
Elmo Live breaks it down on video, seems too smart for his own good
We were warned that Elmo Live was pretty much a full-fledged robot, but we can't say we envisioned this. This critter sings, dances and does a decent job of freaking us out with his innate intelligence. Seriously, you've got to see it to believe it -- good thing the video's just one click away.
Touch Table EES "edutainment system" is large, edutaining
We're blown away by how much of a behemoth ToyQuest's Touch Table EES unit is, but perhaps that's what kids are into these days. The "table" is really a swiveling TV with touch capabilities and some edutainment software. Games include bowling and trivia, kids can draw on the screen or organize photographs, and there's even a Google Earth-style globe that kids can spin around and explore to find the family's next vacation spot -- or, heaven forbid, learn something from the accompanying video encyclopedia. The 21-inch touchscreen is complemented by a DVD player, speakers, and AV, USB and SD inputs. You can rotate the whole display for use while sitting -- there's even a built-in dock for the Wii if that's your style. The table doesn't connect to the internet at all (to keep kids safe), and we're not positive the included software we saw is necessarily $499 worth of fun, but you should be able to check one out this fall at your big box retailer of choice. Video is after the break.%Gallery-16425%
Swinxs lures your children outside, tricks them into "moving around"
We saw a few clever products at Toy Fair 2008 designed to get kids up and active, but none so nefarious -- and cute -- as Swinxs. The "toy" is basically a talking computer with an RFID reader, that guides kids through different pre-loaded games or stories. The kids wear RFID wrist bracelets that identify them in the game, and let them interact with the machine. We heard, from a reliable source, that if kids engage in this type of "running around" in "grassy areas" they very well may die, but that's all hearsay. Once kids grow tired of the included games they can download and install more over USB, and there's a free SDK for developers to create new entertainment for Swinxs. No word on a price or release date, but hopefully we'll be seeing more of this one as time progresses. Video is after the break.[Editor's note: No kids have been known to die from running on the grass. Ever.]%Gallery-16344%
Hands-on with LeapFrog's new edutainment lineup
LeapFrog is virtually unchallenged in quite a few of its product lines, but that doesn't seem to be slowing them down any. The company was showing off bunches of new product at Toy Fair 2008, with most of it newly designed to hook up to the computer and help parents keep better track of what their kids are learning with all these "toys." Products like Tag -- a reading pen similar to the FLY pentop -- can tell parents what words kids are reading well, and how much time they spend with a book, while the new Leapster2 and Didj handhelds let parents track the curriculum the kids are running through -- with the Didj even allowing parents to work in custom vocabulary lists or other subjects into their kid's game of choice. Unfortunately, the LeapFrog2 suffers from same screen viewability woes of its predecessor, and both handhelds are quite chunky, but we did like the Didj's screen and software, and that $90 pricetag is quite palatable.%Gallery-16271%
Guitar Hero Carabiner hands-on
Yeah, you know you want one. While we're rather skeptical about the "carabiner" aspects of this Guitar Hero Carabiner -- forget your keychain, we've owned cars smaller than this thing -- it certainly manages to bring enough of those Guitar Hero rock star vibes along with to make it worth the $15 (just think of it as your present to yourself for not seeing Jumper this weekend). The sound is decent for this type of handheld, and we had little trouble rocking out with the tactile buttons and cheap ass LCD, but we'd probably prefer the Verizon version of this experience just so we could hear some real songs. Video is after the break.%Gallery-16270%
LeapFrog debuts Crammer Study and Sound player for students
LeapFrog is moving on up the chain, and hitting 3rd through 8th graders with a new study aid, the Crammer Study and Sound System. Crammer works basically as a replacement for those annoyingly handwritten index cards, allowing you to enter data for each side of virtual "cards" and run through them on the 2.5-inch grayscale screen. You can also download study aids for a myriad of subjects, or use the included language tools to automatically translate and pronounce words for study. The built-in music playback is pretty straightforward, and lets kids relax with some songs or listen while they study. We spotted a prototype at the 2008 Toy Fair, and while it wasn't a functional unit, we got to see the iriver clix-style four-way screen clicking controls, which seem friendly enough. Crammer will be out Fall 2008 for $60, and includes 1GB of built-in flash memory.%Gallery-16269%
