Fisher-Price

Episode 58: Creepy Doll

Dale — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:36:38 -0400

Dale and Teresa are back without pumpkins.

Toy News

Little Mommy Real Loving Baby Cuddle and Coo Doll: Subversive?

Tech News:

MyKey helps parents control teen drivers
Apple's New MacBooks (Note: No FireWire!)

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Music by Kevin McLeod

Little Mommy Real Loving Baby Cuddle & Coo Doll with Pro-Islam and Satanic Messages? Nope.

Dale — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:32:48 -0400

Recently, thanks to a FOX News report out of Philadelphia, a scandal involving the Fisher-Price Little Mommy Real Loving Baby Cuddle & Coo Doll has surfaced. According to some owners, the doll, amid babbling, says, "Islam is the light," and some report hearing, "Satan is king."

We contacted Mattel, and they assured us, as expected, that this was not the case. Sara Rosales, Vice President of PR for Mattel told us:

The Little Mommy Cuddle ‘n Coo dolls feature realistic baby sounds including sweet cooing, giggling and baby babble with no real sentence structure.
The only scripted word that the doll actually says is “mama.” There is a sound that may resemble something close to the word “night, right, or light.” All of the other sounds are baby sounds with no real words or sentence structure.
We have found that if told to listen for a particular phrase, you may hear something similar due to the power of suggestion.
Actual sounds may be imprecise due to sound compression played through the very tiny inexpensive toy speakers from the doll.

Here at Tech Talk for Families, we reviewed the doll earlier this year, and even though our kids have been playing with it ever since, we have yet to hear anything but babbling, blowing "raspberries," and "Mama" out of it. If you listen closely to the babbling, while some of those sounds are similar to the alleged phrase, it sounds more to me like, "Ichabod is the light." But like many song lyrics, it's easy to hear differently than the maker's intent. If there's anything offensive here, it's the raspberry sound, but every baby I've ever known has made this sound, usually when fed green beans.

While Mattel has had its problems over the past year, a corporation this large would be unlikely to try subliminal religious advertising, and given that the doll is made in China, not exactly a bastion of Islam, the likelihood of a true conspiracy seems slightly less than my winning the lottery, and I don't buy lottery tickets.

If parents have further questions, feel free to contact Mattel at 800/524-TOYS (8697).

Fisher-Price Launches Follow up to Successful Smart Cycle with Innovative New Infant Product

Dale — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 11:59:45 -0400

Fisher-Price, Inc., the leading brand of infant and preschool toys in
the world and a subsidiary of Mattel, Inc. (NYSE:MAT), takes active
play for infants and toddlers to an engaging new level with the
introduction of the Laugh & LearnTM Smart Bounce & Spin PonyTM
product, launched on the heels of the highly successful Smart CycleTM
Physical Learning Arcade System the company introduced in 2007. Just as
the Smart Cycle combined physical play and learning to get preschoolers
moving, the new Laugh & Learn Smart Bounce & Spin Pony brings
active learning, an increasingly important aspect of play, to infants
and toddlers.

The Laugh & Learn Smart Bounce & Spin Pony is an innovative
addition to the infant/preschool category, which continues to be the #1
dollar volume super category within the toy industry, an industry
steadily generating $3 billion at retail each year from 2005-2007,
according to the NPD Group/U.S. Consumer Tracking Service.

"The Laugh & Learn Smart Bounce & Spin Pony is innovative to
the infant toy market in that this play format has not been seen
before," said industry expert Jim Silver, Editor in Chief of Toys and
Family Entertainment. "Moms want their children to be active while also
learning and the Laugh & Learn Smart Bounce & Spin Pony enables
a young toddler to interact, think, learn and get active all at once."

The Laugh & Learn Smart Bounce & Spin Pony tested extremely
well in the renowned Fisher-Price Play Laboratory in East Aurora, N.Y.
In fact, moms loved the product and often referred to it as being not
only educational and fun, but physically active too. Moms also viewed
the TV component as an added learning or educational benefit for their
children's development beyond the physical aspect of the product.

Bringing a classic playground-themed ride into the living room is as
easy as connecting a wireless IR device to the TV. Young toddlers can
hop in the saddle, choose from three levels of play and five learning
scenes and giddy-up to enjoy bouncing up and down, spinning around and
rolling the roller ball on the handle bars. The more children interact,
the more sound effects, sung songs and animations come to life,
teaching them about letters, numbers, shapes, colors, opposites and
more. Young toddlers can explore all five learning scenes within each
mode of play by pressing a forward button that loops through the
scenes. They can even enjoy fun music and sound effects right from the
Pony itself when it is not connected to the TV.

The Laugh & Learn Smart Bounce & Spin Pony retails for
approximately $69.99, is appropriate for ages 12-36 months and is
available at retailers nationwide.

Review: Little Mommy Real Loving Baby Cuddle & Coo Doll

Teresa — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:41:51 -0500

My youngest 2 girls like to play with dolls. They're very good at making "baby" and "little kid" noises. My 6 year old acts like a little mommy and can often be found caring for a "baby". The Little Mommy Real Loving Baby Cuddle & Coo Doll caught her eye immediately. I couldn't get it out of the box fast enough for her, and she played with it for a few hours.

There are 3 settings for playing with this doll: off, motion and sound, and motion with no sound. The girls prefer the motion and sound. A sensor in the forehead detects motion, and that will start the giggling, cooing, and movements. The doll's head and arms move. My husband gets tired of hearing it after a while, but honestly, it didn't bother me at all. I think it sounds cute. Besides giggling and making noises, it says "mama" which little mommies will be happy to hear. It also blows a raspberry, which is my girls' favorite sound.

The doll comes with a pacifier that is connected to the bib with a ribbon. Also included is a bottle, a rattle (toy keys) and a paper birth certificate. If you put the pacifier or bottle in the doll's mouth, it will stop moving and babbling and will make sucking noises for a little while. When you remove it from the mouth, it starts again. Note that while not small enough to be considered a choking hazard, the key ring is fairly small and may pose a problem if you have an older child with a bigger mouth that still has a tendency to put things in it.

The doll comes in a variety of different colored outfits. 3 AA batteries are also included. The doll has a recommended age of 2 and up. My 6 year old absolutely loves it and even my 10 year old will play with it a little from time to time (especially when she plays with her sister), although it wouldn't be something she'd request for herself, and I think most 10 year olds would get bored with it quickly. If you have a little one that likes to play "mommy", this is a great doll that gives kids a chance to care for a baby that's sure to bring smiles to their faces.

Toy Fair 2008: Mattel and Fisher-Price Announce new toys

Dale — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:24:59 -0500

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, kicking off the 2008 American International Toy Fair in New York, Mattel, Inc. (NYSE:MAT) unveiled its exciting 2008 toy lineup of new toys and games that create magic and fun for kids based on all the ways they play. This year, Mattel and Fisher-PriceÂ®Â continue to be at the forefront of the toy industryâ€™s biggest trends, delivering high-tech toys for todayâ€™s digital generation of kids, brand new innovation and classic play experiences across their brands, and toys with high play value. Additionally, 2008 marks the year of entertainment for Mattel, touting licenses for three major theatrical releases, the hottest television properties and its own popular entertainment.

â€œAs the No. 1 toy manufacturer in the world, Mattel listens to kids and parents around the world each and every day and we know how kids play,â€Â said Neil Friedman, President, Mattel Brands.Â â€œTechnology is second nature to kids today, and weâ€™ve infused technology-based features into our toys to enhance more classic play patterns such as role play, fashion-based play, nurturing play, active play, and action/stunt-based play. At the same time, we understand the developmental need and importance of classic play, and weâ€™re delivering innovation never before seen in toys to make playtime even more memorable and magical than ever.â€

â€œMattel and Fisher-Price show exceptional strength going into 2008," saidÂ Toy WishesÂ contributing editorÂ Chris Byrne, aka The Toy GuyÂ®.Â â€œFrom groundbreaking applications of advanced technology in the Barbie brand and classic characters like Elmo to rich and innovative products emphasizing classic play as in the new lines from Hot Wheels, Mattel once again demonstrates its keen understanding of the most important component of any toyÂ â€“Â a child's imagination.â€

TECHNOLOGY CONTINUES TO BE A BIG PART OF KIDSâ€™Â PLAY EXPERIENCES!

Mattel and Fisher-PriceÂ®Â continue to deliver innovative toys for tech-savvy kids on various platforms, including safely connecting to the Internet, enriching role-play experiences, enhancing learning experiences and inspiring imaginations with realistic, life-like features and interactive fun. In 2008, Mattel continues to build on the success of its BarbieÂ®Â Tech platform, highlighted by the 2007 launch of Barbie Girlsâ„¢, with its namesake website named as the fastest growing virtual world ever, by introducing BarbieÂ®iDesignâ„¢, an interactive gaming system that gives girls an all-new way to play fashion. Mattelâ€™s Hot WheelsÂ®Â brandÂ â€“Â celebrating its 40thÂ anniversary in 2008Â â€“Â also joins online, bringing boys a new way to race and compete with Hot WheelsÂ®Â Turbo Driverâ„¢, an online game controller that combines what boys love most about Hot WheelsÂ®Â â€“Â competition, racing and vehicle playÂ â€“Â with die-cast cars and an online 3D gaming world. Additionally, in 2008, Fisher-PriceÂ®Â introduces a new product designed especially for infants and toddlers ages 12-36 months called the Laugh & Learnâ„¢Â Smart Bounce & Spin Ponyâ„¢, translating the same concept as the revolutionary Smart Cycleâ„¢Â for a younger child to encourage active play and learning. Also, this year Fisher-PriceÂ®Â brings Elmo to life like never before. Elmo Live elevates feature plush to a new dimension of realistic, interactive play.

New Mattel Toys that Connect to the Internet

Hot WheelsÂ®Â Turbo Driverâ„¢Â ControllerÂ â€“Â Hot WheelsÂ®Â Turbo Driverâ„¢Â allows the millions of visitors to hotwheels.com to take their gaming experience to the next level. Turbo Driverâ„¢Â is an online game controller that unlocks an exclusive Race the Worldâ„¢game, a 3D-quality racing game packed with Hot WheelsÂ®Â excitement. The game features eight cool environments, each with different terrain challenges. Plug in a Turbo Driverâ„¢Â Car-Tridgeâ„¢Â (each is a stylized Hot WheelsÂ®Â basic car), and select a course that plays to the vehicle's special strength. Boys will want to collect all eight Car-Tridgeâ„¢Â models (one included with controller, other seven sold separately) since each one car works best in one of the eight Race the Worldâ„¢Â environments. Plus each Car-Tridgeâ„¢Â unlocks secret game content on hotwheels.com! For the hotwheels.com enthusiast, the controller also works with more than 20 flash games on the Hot Wheels website.

U.B. Funkeysâ„¢Â FiguresÂ â€“Â U.B. Funkeysâ„¢Â keeps growing! Master Lox has returned and now lays claim to the Funkeysâ€™Â dreams. Dream Stateâ„¢, the latest series from U.B. Funkeysâ„¢, features 10 new Funkeys characters allowing kids to unlock and explore two new zones -Â â€œNightmareâ€Â andÂ â€œDaydream.â€Â Each Funkeys character unlocks a different game in the zone, and opens up new and exciting items for kids to buy and add when customizing theirÂ â€œcribs.â€Â And, for the first time, U.B. Funkeysâ„¢Â will introduceâ€œChatâ€Â Funkeys, letting players communicate with each other safely in the game, andÂ â€œMultiplayerâ€Â Funkeys to let players compete against their friends. Also new for Dream Stateâ„¢Â are Quests, where players can earn coins and items by completing specific missions.

Technology Used to Enrich Role Play, Inspire Imagination

Kid-ToughÂ®Â Portable DVD PlayerÂ â€“Â The new Kid-ToughÂ®Â Portable DVD Player is a new addition to the incredibly successful Preschool Electronics line. This is the first portable DVD Player that is tough enough and easy enough to withstand rugged preschool use. With its uniqueÂ â€œkid-toughâ€Â design, it is the only Kid-ToughÂ®Â DVD player built to survive drop after drop after dropTM! Features include a 3.2-inch color TFT screen, rechargeable batteries with two hour life and battery charger with wall power unit. It also includes a sturdy dual-rail DVD drive, digital anti-skip buffer for the ultimateÂ â€œkid-toughâ€Â viewing experience, dual grip handles, kid-friendly DVD door and DVD controls, CD playback capability, handle for portability, kick stand legs for hands free viewing, video out jack and headphone jack. Requires fourÂ â€œAAâ€Â rechargeable batteries, included.

Dora Prance & Fly Pegasusâ„¢Â â€“Â Kids will be amazed by Doraâ€™s friend from Snowy Forest, Pegasus, who magically opens her beautiful wings to take flight on all-new adventures! With three mode buttons, kids can watch Pegasus magically trot and spread her wings toÂ â€œfly,â€Â all accompanied by stories of wintry adventures based on theÂ â€œDora Saves the Snow Princessâ€Â TV movie that airs in November 2008. When kids place Dora on Pegasus and insert a charm into the pouch on Pegasusâ€™Â neck, they will unlock the story of Doraâ€™s Snow Princess Adventure, along with a beautiful song. Kids can also put any of the other Dora Saves the Snow Princess dolls sold separately on Pegasus to unlock even more stories! Prance & Fly Pegasusâ„¢Â comes with two barrettes and a comb for styling both Dora and Pegasusâ€™Â hair. Requires fourÂ â€œAAâ€Â batteries, included.

Handy Mannyâ„¢Â 2-in-1 Transforming Tool TruckÂ â€“Â Now kids can step into Mannyâ€™s world with Manny's Transforming Tool Truck. Mannyâ€™s big red truck is equipped with four tools from the show and tons of things to fix. When one of the parts inside the engine breaks down, Manny and the tools need the childâ€™s help to fix it. But thatâ€™s not allâ€¦Â Mannyâ€™s truck also transforms into his tool bench for two-toys-in-one! Just like in the show, kids get a phone call from different people in the neighborhood asking them to fix their broken items. When kids pick the right tool for the job, theÂ â€œFix It Rightâ€Â song from the show plays as the child fixes the problem. A special Manny button offers extra help and encouraging phrases. After the child completes the correct repairs, the item will "work" again with sound effects. Bilingual phrases, sound effects and fix-it jobs keep kids entertained. If kids have troubleâ€œfixing a job,â€Â it includes realistic blueprints that show how to make the repairs. Requires threeÂ â€œAAâ€Â batteries, included.

Toys that Integrate Technology or Interactive Features to Create Learning Experiences

Laugh & Learnâ„¢Â Smart Bounce & Spin Ponyâ„¢Â â€“Â The Laugh & Learnâ„¢Â Smart Bounce & Spin Ponyâ„¢Â is a classic playground-themed ride that offers an animated, active way for infants to learn right in the living room. To kick off the fun, parents simply connect the Pony to the TV via a wireless IR device and select one of three levels of play and five learning scenes. Baby can hop in the saddle and giddy-up to enjoy bouncing up and down, spinning around and rolling the roller ball on the handle bars. The more baby interacts, the more sound effects, sung songs and animations come to life, teaching baby letters, numbers, shapes, colors, opposites and more. Baby can also explore all five learning scenes within each mode of play by pressing a forward button that loops through the scenes. Plus, baby can also enjoy fun songs and sound effects right from the Pony itself when it is not connected to the TV. Requires threeÂ â€œAAAâ€Â and threeÂ â€œCâ€Â batteries, not included.

Computer Cool SchoolTMÂ â€“Â The Computer Cool Schoolâ„¢Â provides a fun way for preschoolers to prepare for school. To get started, parents simply connect the Computer Cool Schoolâ„¢Â keyboard to their computer via a USB cable and kids are ready to play fun learning games! The Computer Cool Schoolâ„¢Â includes five learning centersÂ â€“Â Reading and Writing, Math, Science, Art and MusicÂ â€“Â plus coolÂ â€œfield tripâ€Â activities. For added fun, an adorable sidekick appears on the computer screen encouraging kids to interact and rewarding kids with fun phrases and sounds. Children can also print out a story, their artwork creations and supplemental worksheet activities from each learning center. Mom and Dad can feel secure with password protection that prevents access to their computerâ€™s hard drive and the internet. Additional learning CDs are also available, including Clifford, Dora and Diego, Scooby-Doo, Sponge Bob and Sesame Street.

Little Mommyâ„¢Â Real Loving Babyâ„¢Â Gotta Goâ„¢Â DollÂ â€“Â Girls will love the realistic, nurturing play elements of the Real Loving Babyâ„¢Â Gotta Goâ„¢Â Doll, featuring a complete bathroom area where girls can help their doll reach an important milestone achievementÂ â€“Â learning to go potty and clean up. Gotta Goâ„¢Â Doll can go number 1Â â€“Â and number 2Â â€“Â on her very ownÂ â€œno water no messâ€Â potty. She can flush, knows to wash her hands and loves to do all the things a big girl does when she gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night. The bathroom area features a potty, a sink, a towel and everything a big girl needs to get ready and go, including a self-contained special potty thatÂ â€œflushes.â€Â Unlike real babies, the entireÂ â€œmessâ€Â is self contained, so there is no water setup or cleanup, only realistic sounds and sights. Available in Caucasian, African American and a Spanish speaking Hispanic version.

Interactive Toys Get Intensely Realistic and Fun

Elmo LiveÂ â€“Â Is it Live or is it Elmo Live? In this truly life-like creation, for the first time ever, Elmo seems to actually be speaking as his mouth opens and closes just like the real Muppet, Elmo, from Sesame StreetÂ®. His mannerisms are right on target as his head bobbles back and forth as he speaks. He waves his arms, sits and stands, even crosses his legs all the while telling stories and jokes, singing songs and playing games. Children can activate the magic with a tickle or a squeeze of Elmoâ€™s foot, tummy, back or nose.

D-REXâ„¢Â DinosaurÂ â€“Â D-Rexâ„¢Â is the ultimate pet for boys. A ferocious yet loyal dinosaur with an independent personality, D-Rexâ„¢Â combines robotics, proprietary software and reptilian skin to create a life-like appearance and behavior. He walks around, chomps his jaw, bares his teeth andÂ roars many different ways to let you know what he wants. D-Rexâ„¢Â might demand food or want to play a game, and heâ€™ll hear your voice and respond to your touch. Like the ideal pet, D-Rexâ„¢Â will protect his owner and his prize possessions.

Spike the Ultra DinosaurÂ â€“Â SpikeÂ the Ultra Dinosaur brings prehistoric adventures right into the living room! This life-like, remote controlled dinosaur is theÂ â€œultimateâ€Â must-have dinosaur for kids. It comes to life as it walks forward, turns left or right, opens its mouth, blinks its eyes, stands up on its hind legs and even throws a boulder. The dinosaurâ€™s neck also rotates and, when it stands up, the spikes on its back light up as if itâ€™s going to attack. It also features cool dinosaur sound effects and motions that make this dinosaur seem like the real thing! Includes oneÂ â€œ9.6 voltâ€Â rechargeable battery. Requires threeÂ â€œAAAâ€Â batteries, not included.

Power Wheelsâ„¢Â A.T. RexTMÂ â€“Â Childrenâ€™s fascination with dinosaurs will never become extinct as Fisher-PriceÂ®Â takes them back to the future and onto the road with the new Power Wheelsâ„¢Â A.T. Rexâ„¢! With just a quick pull, this Power Wheelsâ„¢Â transforms from an ATV into a ferocious A.T. Rexâ„¢. Complete with glowing eyes, cool roars and sound effects, this A.T. Rexâ„¢Â will shake things up! The A.T. Rexâ„¢Â delivers two child-appropriate speedsÂ â€“Â 2.5 mph and 5 mphÂ â€“Â and 2.5 mph in reverse. Includes 12-volt battery and charger.

TycoÂ®Â R/C Turbo Pro Wheelie Cycleâ„¢Â â€“Â The TycoÂ®Â R/C Turbo Pro Wheelie Cycleâ„¢Â delivers never-before-seen action to the radio-controlled world with the first ever R/C motorcycle that does wheelies on-command! The TycoÂ®Â R/C Turbo Pro Wheelie Cycleâ„¢Â delivers real world action with an R/C cycle that performs a variety of stuntsÂ â€“Â from wheelies and jumps to rolls and spin outsÂ â€“Â tearing up the terrain like nothing else on two wheels. This R/C also includes a unique Motion Control Transmitter designed like motorcycle handlebars and features realistic tilt-motion controls to allow you to drive it just like a real motorcycle

BIG YEAR FOR KIDS ENTERTAINMENT!

2008 is the year of entertainment for Mattel, boasting toy lines to support three major theatrical releases, the hottest TV properties and Mattelâ€™s own popular entertainment. Additionally, Mattel has entertainment licenses across its entire portfolio of brands and its productive partnerships can be measured by the continued success of its Disney Pixarâ€™s CARS product line and the Scene It?Â®Series of DVD games.

Hot WheelsÂ®Â Speed RacerÂ Battle Morphâ„¢Â Mach 6Â â€“Â Every boy will aspire to own the signature Mach 6 based on the upcoming summer film,Â â€œSpeed Racer.â€Â The vehicle comes with a 5-inch scaled Speed Racer action figure and the ultimate in cool gadgetry. Speed jumps into his car, snaps on his protective canopy and is battle ready. The Mach 6 has signatureÂ â€œjump-jacksâ€Â to pop up on two wheels, then with a pull of the spoiler, the car transforms for battle with spring loaded missiles, features lights and sounds, and the "homing bird" projectile. Once Speed conquers evil with his awesome arsenal, kids can push the spoiler back down and continue on to win the race.

Kung Fu Pandaâ„¢Â Kung Fu Kickin'â„¢Â PoÂ â€“Â Kids can bring home everything they love about Po with the Kung Fu Pandaâ„¢Â Kung Fu Kickin'â„¢Â Po. Poâ€™s personality, humor and cool Kung Fu moves make this the ultimate action electronic plush toy. The Kung Fu Kickinâ€™â„¢Â Po includes round house kick moves, gadgets and more than 50 fun phrases from the film.

Batman: The Dark Knightâ„¢Â Wayne Techâ„¢Â Mega Capeâ„¢Â AccessoryÂ â€“Â Boys can complete the transformation into The Dark Knightâ„¢Â with the Batmanâ„¢Â Wayne Techâ„¢Â Mega Capeâ„¢Â Accessory. With one touch, the cape rapidly expands to a 5-inch wingspan just like The Dark Knightâ„¢. When finished, kids can quickly retract the cape back into a convenient back harness for run-around play. Also includes a Batmanâ„¢Â cowl for the ultimate Gotham Cityâ„¢Â adventure.

Go, Diego, Go!â„¢Â Animal Rescue RailwayÂ â€“Â The completely new and innovative flexible track system featured in the Animal Rescue Railway puts kids in control of Diegoâ€™s signature animal rescue missions. The Railway comes with a motorized Diego engine with removable Diego figure, two animal rescue cars, three animals to rescue, three rescue locations and more than six feet of track. Kids can set up rescue locations anywhere along the track, which puts them in control of the layout. As Diego travels to the rescue locations, rescue phrases are activated and kids can stop the cars in the right spot to engage their spring-loaded rescue features to save the animals. For an added play bonus, the Animal Rescue Railway trains and locations are compatible with the existing Diego figures for endless play possibilities. Requires fourÂ â€œAAAâ€Â batteries, included.

BarbieÂ®Â Magic Wings Mariposaâ„¢Â DollÂ â€“Â Based on BarbieÂ®Â dollâ€™s newest DVD movie Barbieâ„¢Â Mariposaâ„¢, available on February 26th, the Magic Wings Mariposaâ„¢Â doll features a beautiful transformation. With the press of a button, Mariposaâ„¢Â dollâ€™s butterfly wings change from pretty, purple wings to giant, sparkly pink wings. The doll also features beautiful accents including a butterfly tiara and removable skirt.

CLASSIC BRANDS WILL SURPRISE YOU WITH NEW TWISTS!

BarbieÂ®, Polly Pocketâ„¢, Hot WheelsÂ®Â and Fisher-PriceÂ®Â are incredibly popular brands that have played an important role in kidsâ€™lives for many generations. The popularity of these brands not only remains true to their heritage, but also continually evolves in order to stay relevant and reflect the interests of kids. In 2008, Mattel will continue to innovate these classic brands with new twists to make them even more engaging and exciting than ever before. Todayâ€™s tech-savvy girls will be able to playÂ â€œfashion designerâ€Â in a completely new way with the introduction of BarbieÂ®Â iDesignâ„¢Â featuring tech-based fashion play through a CD-Rom computer game, a USB-connected scanner andÂ â€œswipe-ableâ€Â fashion cards. Polly Pocketâ„¢Â will continue to dazzle girls with an all new look and completely new play features. For boys, the new Hot WheelsÂ®Â Trick Tracks offer endless amounts of action like never before with ready-made stunts that connect to create cool sets and effects for racing their Hot WheelsÂ®Â vehicles.

Fisher-PriceÂ®Â Friends will continue to bring childrenâ€™s favorite characters to life with innovative and interactive new products from the classics including Sesame StreetÂ®, Winnie-the-Poohâ„¢, Mickey Mouse Clubhouseâ„¢, Dora the Explorerâ„¢, and Go Diego Go!â„¢Â as well as the hottest new brands, including Handy Mannyâ„¢, Wonder Petsâ„¢, Little Einsteinsâ„¢Â and Wow Wow Wubbzyâ„¢. Children can join Elmo and his friends in the kitchen with a new interactive Elmoâ€™s Restaurant, create magical experiences in the Dora Deluxe Designer Dollhouse, play the sleuth with My Friends Tigger and Poohâ„¢Â Super Sleuth Changing Treeâ„¢Â and set out for the races with Mickey Motors Raceway.

BarbieÂ®Â iDesignâ„¢Â Ultimate Stylistâ„¢Â CD-ROM GameÂ â€“Â BarbieÂ®Â iDesignâ„¢Â delivers next generation fashion play through a CD-Rom computer game, USB-connected scanner and trading card-sized,Â â€œfashion cards.â€Â There are 200 different, collectible fashion cards, consisting of various hair styles, tops, bottoms, dresses, shoes, accessories and fashion models, and each has a unique barcode that whenÂ â€œswipedâ€Â through the USB-connected scanner, is uploaded to theÂ â€œDesign Studioâ€Â closet within the PC software. Once fashions are scanned and loaded on the computer, girls can play fashion stylist and create more than 21 million, fashionable ensembles in the gameâ€™sÂ â€œDesign Studio.â€Â When the fashions are runway ready, girls are able to customize their fashion show in the gameâ€™sÂ â€œFashion Runwayâ€Â mode of play. For additional game play, girls can also design their own magazine cover using images from theirÂ â€œRunway Showâ€Â or theÂ â€œDesign Studio,â€Â as well as play four different fashion themed games. These innovative mix-and-match fashion cards are also transparent, allowing girls to create unique looks in real life as well. Fashion packs (sold separately) are available in eight different themes: Rocker, School, Casual, Party, Princess, Bling, Beach and Sporty. Girls can collect them all to continue to create fresh new styles.

Hot WheelsÂ®Â Trick Tracks AssortmentÂ â€“Â Get ready for the exciting world of Trick Tracks connectable stunts. Whether racing down the Super Slideâ„¢Â teeter-totter or catapulting through the Hammer & Hoopâ„¢Â net, kids will experience thrill after thrill with these amazing ready-made stunts. And best of all, they'll connect to any other Trick Tracks stunts for ongoing action-packed fun. Each set includes one vehicle. Not for use with some Hot WheelsÂ®Â vehicles.

Color Me Gemzâ„¢Â â€“Â Creativityâ€¦fashionâ€¦fun! This brand new line lets girls create their very own fashion-forward jewelry with the touch of a pen! The included marker pens are used to color specially designed facets that create the appearance of an actual translucent gem or precious stone, so girls can dazzle as they show off their Gemzâ„¢. Girls can choose from four adorable Color Me Gemzâ„¢Â sets including necklace, bracelet, belt and peelÂ â€˜n stick, as well as purse and hat accessories.

Color Me Gemzâ„¢Â Jewelry BoxÂ â€“Â The Color Me Gemzâ„¢Â Jewelry Box is the perfect spot for girlsâ€™Â jewelry masterpieces that can be decorated with Gemzâ„¢Â inside and out! The jewelry box features a beautiful main compartment with a lid, mirror and fairy/ballerina that rotates, two drawers for jewelry storage and two side compartments for additional storage of necklaces or bracelets. The drawer pulls and jewelry box lid can even beÂ â€œGem-ified!â€

Toy Fair 2008: TMX Elmo is so last year: New Elmo Announced

Dale — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 23:15:22 -0500

Fisher-Price has announced that a new plush Elmo will be announced tomorrow morning at the New York Toy Fair Mattel/Fisher-Price Gallery.

Not just another in the long line of captivating Elmo products,Â this Elmo elevates feature plush to a new dimension of realistic, interactive play that makes you laugh, of course, but also does so much more.

Â With all the new features of TMX Elmo compared to the previous incarnation, what can we expect from the new one? A few guesses:

PC integration--it's all the rage right now. Play with Elmo on your PC
Downloadable emotions, actions, or phrases: some free, some gestures available for $1-3 like a ringtone
Go to Sesame Street Online with Elmo, creating your own Muppet. Elmo will sit next to you and talk to you while you play.

Now, these are just guesses, and I'm anxious to see what they have up their puppeteer's sleeve, but I'll also guess that, if it has PC connectivity,

It won't support the Mac.
It'll use Wi-Fi instead of USB for safety reasons.

But we'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out. Anyone have any guesses or a wishlist?Â

Technological Breakthrough

Dale — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 00:29:43 -0500

Take a good look at this image. What does it look like to you? Did Batman lose some esoteric device off his Utility Beltâ„¢? Have we finally "made contact"? Is this some kitchen device your wife will ask you to get, for which you'll not know its name?

Nope. This year, Hannah got a Fisher-Price Digital Arts & Crafts Studio for Christmas. Now normally, it would take several hours to remove such a device from its packaging by untying roughly 37 miles of hard-to-manage twist ties and then massaging the pain out of your fingertips for another ten minutes. But no, the best surprise we had this Christmas were these two little fasteners that attached the console to its supporting cardboard. A quick twist of each, and the toy was free of its corrugated prison and ready to play.

We'll have a review of the actual toy once Hannah has had a good chance to play with it, but since I don't have a clamshell opener yet, these little clasps put a smile on my sleep-deprived face. Thank-you, Fisher-Price, for giving this dad a Merry (and painless) Christmas.