November 2012 Notable Toys — Electronics

This new set of Smarcks Smart Blocks has 70 standard building blocks and four new smarter talking blocks. Each new Smart Block uses a higher capacity microprocessor and is equivalent to three of the original; so four blocks in this new set is equivalent to having 12 of the original. The new blocks have been programmed with a new progressive learning function to enable children, as they get older, to play differently as the blocks are programmed to react differently. Very young children can press the buttons in the blocks or stack them one block at a time. This is a discovery stage as they sing, play nursery rhymes, play sound effects, laugh, and talk about color and good manners. As children develop fine motor skills they begin to stack two blocks at a time. Play moves to a higher level as they sing nursery rhymes, like Old MacDonald, with 7 different animals and learn spelling, counting, math, and puzzle solving providing years of entertainment and learning.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys

The new MobiGo 2 Touch Learning System by V Tech is a multi-functional educational handheld system that allows kids to enjoy on-the-go play and hone their creativity all while learning basic skills such as math, vocabulary, spelling, reading, logic, drawing and more. MobiGo 2 has two new ways to play: it comes equipped with a motion sensor and microphone, in addition to the touchscreen. The motion sensor provides total game control, allowing kids to create action movements within games and programs while playing. The microphone provides different methods of game play. Kids can blow into the microphone to move objects, blow off dust, or initiate other special effects. Or they can speak into it to give a command or trigger an action. The QWERTY keyboard helps kids become familiar with a keyboard layout. Additionally, the handheld system functions as an e-reader, photo album, photo viewer, art studio, coloring book, and comes pre-loaded with three great games that take advantage of the product’s many features. The expanded onboard memory allows kids to store more fun, and there are more than 80 other apps available for download at the VTech Learning Lodge Navigator.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys

The iTikes Map and companion app are jam-packed with great content. The map comes with a smart-pen that recognizes images on the map. Through the eyes of the iDevice camera and technology of Augmented Reality, the map virtually turns into a lifelike playground. Compatible with all iDevices.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys

A handheld flash-card game that targets tricky times tables. Kids can play just the ones they want or select them all. Answer as many problems (numbers 0–12) as they can in 60 seconds. Vertical problem format, 2 skill levels, timed/untimed modes, plus fun sound effects. Requires 3 AAA batteries, not included.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys

WrapStar is the first mic kids can bend and twist. With 3 feet of bendability, kids can get all wrapped up in the fun. Each color includes three fun sound effects, and the built-in speaker provides ultimate creative freedom.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys

Simply touch the face to unlock the most technologically advanced Omnitrix ever created. The pop up touch pad allows kids to discover over 40 sounds and three separate modes of play. Mode one allows kids to hear 7 Alien voices, while mode two has ambient sounds that kids can overlay their own sound effects onto and create beats. Mode 3 allows them to replicate the DNA code found in other Ben 10 items to unlock secret messages from Azmuth, the creator of the Omnitrix.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys

Kids can send their Spidey up the wall after villains with this fast-climbing figure. When kids point the controller at him and press the buttons, he climbs up and down, left and right, even upside down. Put him on smooth, clean, dry surfaces such as windows and his mini-vacuums help him stick to the surface. Then guide the wall-crawling action with the controller.

Kids can capture still images and movies with this cool The Amazing Spider-Man Digital Camcorder from Marvel. The handheld video camera takes movies at an effective resolution of 640 x 480. Its built-in microphone captures sound, and the included Snap n' Share software lets kids create personalized videos with a soundtrack, edit titles and credits, and produce fun visual effects. Pictures are stored on an SD or MMC card (sold separately) up to 8GB, and USB and AV outputs transfer images and videos to a computer or television. Dimensions: 4"H x 2.5"L x 1.75"W. Weight: 6 oz.

The ultimate large scale battleground for all HEXBUG Warriors students comes with two fully-armored collectible HEXBUG Warriors, eight Battle Stadium Pieces (compatible with Battle Arena) and 12 standoffs. There are two assorted HEXBUG Warrior Battle Stadiums available for fans to collect. Each features a different opposing pair of Warriors.
— "Super easy to snap together...my son gave it a huge thumb’s up!" - Review from Kathy at DetroitMommies.com.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

The battle arena is the perfect stage for HEXBUG Warriors students to hone their skills. It comes with two HEXBUG Warriors with weapons and armor, two expandable battle arena pieces (compatible with Battle Stadium), three standoffs and extra bonus armor. There are four assorted HEXBUG Warrior Battle Arenas available for fans to collect. Each features a different opposing pair of Warriors.
— "The robots do look really cool with all the different armor that can be switched back and forth with the other robots to make your own custom version...My son’s only suggestion was that they should come up with a solar powered version so the batteries would last a little longer." - Review from Kathy at DetroitMommies.com.

Kids can operate their HEXBUG Warriors in Training Mode, with unlimited health, for scrimmages and testing purposes. Once the Warriors are equipped and ready for battle, they can be powered into Match Mode and are set to enter into competition, where they crash, jab and jostle with their opponents until they win or lose by running out of health at which point they deactivate. Once put in Match Mode, each robot’s Shock Sensor activates its Damage Indicator Light which changes colors from green to red and blinks more rapidly as its health decreases. There are 12 assorted HEXBUG Warrior Battling Robots Single packs available for fans to collect. Each Single pack includes 1 fully-armored Warrior.
— Mary Porter Green, owner of Curiosity Zone in Ashbburn, Va., told TDmonthly in a Fall 2012 survey that Hexbugs are one of their bestselling tween toys. "In a good month, we sell dozens," she told us.

This is one individual littleBits bit: The temperature sensor senses the temperature surrounding it. Whether it's sitting in a cold glass of water, or just hanging out at your table, or anything in between, the temperature sensor gets stronger when it's warmer. The littleBits Starter kit or Teaser kit, or the USB Power bit is required for use.