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Toys 'R' Us debuts a new website, but you're really buying from Target
Just in time for the holiday season, the Toys "R" Us website is back, with one big difference: Target is powering the revived ToysRUs.com. When you go to complete a purchase on the latter, it redirects you to Target's website to check out.
Toys 'R' Us returns with 'STEAM' workshops and smaller stores
In time for the holidays, Toys "R" Us parent company Tru Kids is planning to open two permanent stores. This time around, the stores will include things like theaters for movies and video games, STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art and Math) workshops and a treehouse where kids can play. To pull it off, Tru Kids is partnering with tech retailer b8ta.
Toys 'R' Us could make a comeback?
After entering Chapter 11 protection last fall, Toys 'R' Us announced in the spring that it would sell off international operations and shut down in the US. Now, its top lenders -- the billions of dollars in debt it carried did more to kill the chain than millennials or Amazon ever could -- have cancelled an auction that would've sold off the Toys 'R' Us and Babies 'R' Us names as well as some associated toy brands. Instead they're working on a plan to revive the names, which they have ownership over everywhere except Canada. Now Geoffrey LLC. will own "trademarks, ecommerce assets and data" so we'll see if it actually turns into a store or if we just end up getting targeted ads based on gifts purchased eight Christmases ago. With the holiday season approaching, many of the 33,000 workers laid off are still fighting to see any severance pay. Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that private equity firms Bain and KKR were putting together a fund to pay them.
Bankrupt Toys ‘R’ Us is closing all US and UK stores
It's a sad day for anyone who has fond memories of sliding up and down toy-laden aisles, buzzing off the synthetic smell of brand new Barbies and Action Men. Toys 'R' Us is about to close forever. Six months after filing for bankruptcy in the US and one month after doing the same in the UK, the company is shutting the doors of all 900 stores across both countries, unable to compete with online competitors.
How the 'Grinch bots' stole Christmas
Resellers have existed since way before the internet. But with the surge of online shopping, they have found the perfect weapon to aid their business: bots, automated software that can add products to a virtual cart and purchase them faster than any human. Even if your browser autofills personal information, like your address and credit card, and it only took you one minute to get to the checkout page -- that's too slow. Bots can buy almost anything in a matter of seconds, which is why they've become the ideal tool for people who make money by snatching up coveted items and selling them on eBay, Amazon and Craigslist for a profit.
Best Buy will have Nintendo's SNES Classic in stores Saturday
If you still don't own an SNES Classic Edition, you'll have a chance to get one tomorrow, November 25th. Best Buy has announced that it will sell Nintendo's mini, retro console in stores across the US starting at 9AM local time. Not surprisingly, you'll have to be at the door early since stock will be limited. There's going to be a cap of one per customer, and Best Buy said in a blog post that it's going to offer a first-come, first-served ticketing system for customers waiting in line.
Toys 'R' Us hopes AR will bring you back to its stores
Let's say you're Toys 'R' Us: you've just declared bankruptcy, and you're looking for something, anything that might convince customers to visit your stores instead of buying all their toys through Amazon. What would you do? If you ask Toys 'R' Us, the answer is simple: make a game out of store visits. The retailer has unveiled Play Chaser, a free augmented reality app for Android and iOS that turns stores into virtual playgrounds. Point the app at star icons in the store and your kids can play basketball (including with others) or take home a digital doll. The brand's mascot, Geoffrey the Giraffe, will even introduce the app and get players started.
Toys ‘R’ Us has declared bankruptcy
Toys 'R' Us might file for bankruptcy as soon as today, according to Bloomberg. That should help the toy giant restructure the $400 million in debt that comes due for it next year, which it was saddled with after getting bought out a decade ago. While the retail chain has been suffering declining sales for five years, Amazon has continued to grow its own toy sales, taking a bigger share of the industry.
Toys R Us' 8-inch second-generation Tabeo kids tablet coming in October for $150
Toys R Us, no stranger to the odd controversial lawsuit when it comes to its Tabeo kiddie tablet, has launched an updated version of the white-label slate for the holidays. The Tabeo e2, which is an inch bigger than its predecessor, comes with a dual-core 1 GHz CPU, 1GB RAM and 8GB of in-built storage, which can be bolstered via its up-to 64GB microSD card slot. Up front, you've got an 8-inch 1,024 x 768 multitouch display, displaying Android 4.2, with all of the parental controls and child-friendly apps you'd expect from such a device. If you're looking for something to keep the rugrats occupied whilst you gaze lovingly at your new 4K TV, the e2 will launch in October for $150.
Microsoft adding more content to Xbox Live this week, including Toys R Us movies and a refreshed MLB.tv app
Mo apps, mo couch entertainment, right? Well, in order to boost the attributes of its mature gaming console and Xbox Live, Microsoft today announced it's bringing some additional content to the ever-evolving platform. To go along with the recent inclusion of Redbox Instant, Redmond this week -- and just in time for the new season, shall we say -- will welcome an MLB.tv app with a redesigned interface and other undisclosed features that, according to the company, should "make watching baseball on Xbox better than ever." What's more, Microsoft didn't just have MLB lovers in mind, and is also giving film buffs, both young and old, something to look forward to with a few new applications, such as IndieFlix, PopcornFlix and Toys R Us movies -- oh, and for those who fancy internet-based TV shows, there's a Revision3 app, to boot. As is often the case, the countries in which they can each be enjoyed will depend on where you live (and a Gold subscription, of course), so now may be a good time to peruse the PR after the break to find out which of these you can expect to see on your Dasboard.
Rovio hints at Angry Birds tie-in with Star Wars on October 8th, Red Bird Five standing by
The green pigs have had their moment in the sun: it's time for the Angry Birds to come back. Rovio Mobile has posted a teaser of a collaboration between its frustrated avians and Star Wars that will get a grand reveal on October 8th at Toys R Us' Times Square location in New York City. No clear giveaways exist as to what's coming, although Rovio is promising animations, comics and other material in the weeks ahead -- we imagine it means more than a toy line, as unique as that can be. But does it mean an Angry Birds Space add-on that goes well beyond the Martian landscape, an entirely new game or something else altogether? We've asked the company for more details and will let you know if we're given more information. In the meantime, get ready for what's likely to be a geek culture explosion. [Thanks, Jaakko]
Toys R Us launches family-friendly internet movie service, plans Tabeo access, HD video and more
Like Amazon, Best Buy and Barnes & Noble before it, Toys R Us is following the path of being a retailer distributing its own branded hardware (Tabeo, Nabi) with an accompanying app store, and then supplementing those offerings with a digital media service. ToysrusMovies.com is a Rovi-powered digital storefront currently available to PCs, Macs and other Flash compatible devices, with an app planned for the Tabeo soon, as well as Blu-ray players, HDTVs and other mobile devices including iOS and Android. The content consists of "more than 4,000" titles from big names like Disney, Fox, NBCUniversal and more, available for 24-hour rental starting at $2.99, and $5.99 for download or streaming. Right out of the gate its scored an early release of Madagascar 3 two weeks before the disc release, currently a $16 purchase with "unlimited" streaming to activated devices, with downloads to up to 5 devices. Now of course, all it needs is some compatible devices, but building an ecosystem is a process, and may be key to separating Toys R Us' offerings from the competition. Check out more details in the press release after the break or at the site.
Children's tablet maker suing Toys R Us over Tabeo design
Currently lawsuits are all the rage in the tech industry, however it's somewhat of a sad day when the ill-effects of corporate hardball trickle down to children's toys. Nabi tablet maker Fuhu filed a lawsuit at a San Diego, California federal court claiming that mega retailer Toys R Us stole its product's trade secrets for the development of its forthcoming Tabeo tablet for children. Fuhu alleges that last year Toys R Us agreed to exclusively carry the Nabi tablet in order to gain access to confidential information before launching a tablet of its own. The partnership between the two companies ended in January and Toys R Us has since announced its plans to release its Tabeo tablet this fall. Fuhu is suing for an undisclosed sum and requesting that Toys R Us relinquish its stock of Tabeo tablets. It's too early to tell if this lawsuit will have an impact on the Tabeo's launch plans, but if Fuhu has its way, Toys R Us will receive a lump of coal and a court order this holiday season. Bah, humbug!
Toys R Us 7-inch Tabeo kids tablet coming in October for $150
Toys R Us has posted a listing for a new 7-inch child's Android slate priced at $150 called the Tabeo, saying it will go on sale October 1st in stores only. According to the Wall Street Journal, the company will announce more details later today, but pictures on the site indicate it will be more conventional in design style and not as "kiddified" as the toy store's previous offering, the Nabi. Technical specs include a 1GHz processor, 4GB of built-in storage, upgradeable to 32GB, HDMI-out, 50 pre-loaded apps and -- brace for it -- its own native app store offering around 6,000 more. That might mean it's aimed at older kids than the previous tab's six-year old and up target, but it better have some killer features for the younger set -- it's up against a spate of similar products that have already hit shelves. Update: This looks very much like an Archos Child Pad with different colors and $20 added to the asking price. Thanks all who spotted the similarity.
Toys R Us' Nabi Android tablet lets junior play while mommy drinks
True, mommy may not have to drink, but as long as Toys R Us' Nabi tablet is in the house, that cabinet door will always be open. Designed to distract kids aged six years and up, this tot-sized Android slate boasts a seven-inch, 800 x 480 capacitive touchscreen display, 4GB of onboard storage, and a 533MHz dual-core Cortex-A9 CPU. These certainly aren't the most scintillating specs we've ever come across (even by kiddo tablet standards), but keep in mind that we're talking about six-year-olds, here. They don't know anything. Plus, they'll probably be distracted by the Nabi's customized UI, tailored for so-called "kiddified" browsing, reading and TV watching. If you ever get a hankering to get in on the action yourself, you can always send the beast to time out and play with the tablet yourself, thanks to a built-in "Mommy Mode" that provides a more mature Android experience. No word yet on whether Toys R Us plans to introduce a "Daddy Mode" (or, for that matter, a "Postman Mode"), but that's probably a conversation for another day. Hands-off parents can pre-order the Nabi for $200, at the source link below.
Peripheral price-drop madness: Guitar Hero, DJ Hero, and Tony Hawk bundles for 10 bucks
Toys R Us has decided that all peripherals must go, and in order to clear the shelves as quickly as possible, a ridiculous number of DJ Hero, Tony Hawk, and Guitar Hero bundles for all systems have been marked down to $9.99. If you've just got too darn much free space in your living room, make the jump for the full list of store-only mega-deals. We recommend getting a swift move on, however; even with these franchises functionally dead, we don't expect this stuff to hang around for long. [Thanks, Teeftwo!]
San Diego Comic-Con will sell you some friends from Marvel vs. Capcom 3
If your friend to pocket ratio is ridiculously pocket-heavy, San Diego Comic-Con will have an exclusive deal on Marvel vs. Capcom 3 Minimates to solve all your loneliness woes and fill those empty voids on your cargo pants. At Entertainment Earth Booth #2343, Toys"R"Us will be selling a limited number of Marvel vs. Capcom 3 Minimates, including Iron Man in stealth armor, Red Hulk, Morrigan and Zero. For those unable to snag a ticket to San Diego Comic-Con (everyone), Toys"R"Us will be selling the exclusive Minimates online at Toysrus.com/comiccon2011 beginning the final day of Comic-Con, Sunday, July 24.
As predicted, Toys R Us now carrying iPad 2
Apple fans still looking for an iPad 2 can now check the supply at their local Toys R Us store. As expected, Toys R Us is now selling the popular tablet in select stores across the US. Not every store is carrying the tablet, so you should consult this list on Toys R Us' website before you trek out to your local shop. This expansion to yet another retail chain suggests supply constraints on the iPad 2 are easing. When the tablet first debuted, Apple stores quickly sold their initial stock, and online delivery times extended out to 4-5 weeks. One month later, the iPad 2 is available from Target, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Toys R Us, Verizon Wireless, AT&T and Apple stores nationwide. Online shipping times have also dropped to 2-3 weeks with customers reporting delivery times earlier than the projected 14-21 days. There are also rumors Apple is working to expand component suppliers in order to ease supply issues. Though the retail footprint of the iPad 2 is increasing, finding the tablet in stock is still hit or miss. Calling regularly and checking early are two simple strategies to increase your odds of snagging the model you want. With Mother's Day right around the corner, it may also be a good idea to start your hunt now if you want to surprise Mom on her special day. [Via Apple Insider]
Sign of the times: iPad 2 heads to Toys R Us
When we were younger, we lusted after the top-shelf electric train set. The pow-pow-Power Wheels jeep. The Virtual Boy. These days, that rich kid down the street will have a very different sort of toy. When ModMyi reported that Toys 'R' Us was training associates to sell the iPad 2 weeks ago, we thought it might be a leftover April Fools', but sure enough, Geoffrey the Giraffe will begin pushing Apple's tablet to children who don't want to grow up as soon as tomorrow morning. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Toys R Us getting iPad 2 tomorrow
We heard a little while back that the iPad 2 was coming to retailer Toys R Us, of all places, and now 9to5Mac follows that up with news that the day arrives tomorrow. As of Sunday, April 17, the magical, revolutionary tablet will be ready to go, along with a selection of Smart Covers. You can visit the chain's website to see which stores are selling the tablets. Toys R Us actually has a pretty good retail relationship with Apple, having offered iPad trade-ins at the store before. But that relationship doesn't seem to extend to online sales -- it's likely that iPads will be available only in stores rather than on the toy retailer's website. If you've been trying to get your hands on an iPad 2 with no luck so far, there's one more option for you. Good luck!