TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Interactive Product Category

Webkinz Chicken by GANZ

This feathery friend comes with a hangtag that grants its owner access to Webkinz World online, where it even has a special egg chair.
— “Enough said” was Jamie Burdette’s comment when he listed Webkinz as a continued best-seller in his store, LB Toys in Media, Pa., in April 2008.
— Nine of 66 retailers named Webkinz as their best-selling toy in May 2008. Donna Stone, owner of The Perfect Present in Suwanee, Ga., displays the plush in a glass case right inside the door and, on average, sells 790 Webkinz per month.
— In spring 2008, two of 55 retailers singled out Webkinz as their best-selling novelty toy. 4/22/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

U.B. Funkeys™ Figures – Dream State™ by MATTEL INC.

The 10 characters in this collection give kids access to a virtual world in which they can play games, customize their homes, and chat with other players online. Players are awarded with coins and other items through completion of certain missions. 4/22/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Tracksters by 10VOX ENTERTAINMENT INC.

The high quality, die cast cars come with a code that allows users to log onto the corresponding, interactive website. Once logged on, users get a garage and can fix up their cars and race them in the world of street racing, track racing and the dragstrip. Launch date: February 2008. ( Watch Video) 4/18/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

GoLive2 Stix by PLAYHUT INC.

Use this wireless, motion-sensor controller for PCs works in place of a keyboard and mouse, allowing users to play Internet and PC games in a more natural way. Launch date: February 2008. ( Watch Video) 4/11/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

KidiDoodle™ by VTECH

The interactive, touch-sensitive drawing pad comes with an LCD screen and allows kids to draw, play games and create e-cards. Kids can even play head-to-head games. Launch date: August 2008. 3/28/2008 (Price: $29.99)

Kidizoom Camera™ by VTECH

Kids can take their own digital pictures (640 x 480 resolution), make their own movies, edit their creations with crazy effects and share their creations with family and friends by hooking up the camera to a television set. The camera’s 16MB of built-in memory can hold up to 200 photos or five minutes of video footage. Preschool games are also included, such as photo puzzles and memory matching. The camera comes in a chunky design and is available in orange, blue or pink. Launch date: August 2008. 3/28/2008 (Price: $59.99)

KidiJamz Studio™ by VTECH

The interactive music station lets kids record their own songs and music and play it back on a detachable music player equipped with headphones. Kids can select from 20 kid-friendly tune, ten musical instrument sounds, five musical stylings and three rhythms. Also included are: a microphone with four voice effects, a scratch disc and a light-up keyboard for musical instruction. Launch date: August 2008. 3/28/2008 (Price: $59.99)

KidiArt Studio™ by VTECH

The interactive art console allows kids to create, edit and display their work on television sets. It comes with a built-in digital camera, PC-connectivity and a variety of activities from art lessons to photo stamps and frames. Launch date: August 2008. 3/28/2008 (Price: $79.99)

Clickables™ Fairy Jewelry Box by TECHNO SOURCE

Patent-pending Clickables technology magically connects toys with Disney’s virtual worlds, seamlessly bringing online worlds, offline play and real-world friends together. The Pixie Dust eJewelry Collection includes a magical jewelry box, a charm necklace and three exclusive Disney Fairies charms powered by Clickables technology. When a girl touches a charm to the Clickables center of her jewelry box, Pixie Dust sparkles and music plays as the jewelry box comes alive. Each charm unlocks a unique fairy gift at the Pixie Hollow website, including exclusive clothing and décor. Launch date: Fall 2008. 3/26/2008 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

KidVenture Interactive Ride-on Toy by KidVenture

KidVenture will unlock the full potential of ride-on toys.  This is more than just a stop and go driving experience!  KidVenture vehicles respond to interactive accessories to create live action games.  These games grow with your child, providing purpose and challenge for a whole new way to play and a new experience every time.  The KidVenture concept is currently being presented to a number of potential licensees within the ride-on market. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT YET AVAILABLE: SEEKING LICENSEE. Pitched at Toy Fair 2008.
 3/21/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Poingo by PUBLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LTD.

The set consists of a pen and two books. When children touch images in the book using the pen, audio content will sound. Additional books are available for purchase separately. Launch date: August 2008. ( Watch Video) 3/10/2008 (Price: $34.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ulti-Motion by JAKKS PACIFIC INC.

The system plugs directly into televisions like a video game, and features wireless motion controllers that sense kids’ motions. Three different play packages are available: sports, Disney Princesses and Playhouse Disney Preschool. Launch date: Fall 2008. 3/10/2008 (Price: $79.99)

Treetures® Sprig by RUSS BERRIE

Treetures are eco-themed plush characters that come complete with recycled hangtags and give kids the opportunity to explore the Treetures website, where they earn "Green Hearts," learn about the ecosystem, play games and become familiar with the names and responsibilities of each Treeture character. This line is based on characters from a book series by Judith Hope Blau. 2/29/2008 (Price: $15.00)

Sea Pals™ Clownfish by RUSS BERRIE

This fish is part of a line of 10 sea creatures that come with special codes granting access to an online world in which kids can personalize their virtual acquarium, play in the ocean, visit with other fish, and take on deep-sea challenges in order to visit Atlantis. Launch date: February 2008. 2/29/2008 (Price: $10.00)

Elmo Live by FISHER-PRICE INC.

Suitable for ages 18 months and up, Elmo Live sings, dances and speaks. It can even be programmed to repeat a child’s name. “For the first time ever, Elmo seems to actually be speaking as his mouth opens and closes just like he does on 'Sesame Street,' while he gestures with his arms, sits, stands and even crosses his legs ... all the while telling stories and jokes, singing songs and playing games,” Gina Sirard, vice president of marketing for Fisher-Price Friends, told TDmonthly. 2/27/2008

D-REX™ Dinosaur by MATTEL INC.

The robotic dinosaur appears and behaves realistically. The toy walks, chomps his jaw, bares his teeth, wags his tail, roars and more in response to stimulation and what he wants. The D-Rex responds to touch, voices and more. “D-Rex combines robotics, proprietary software and reptilian skin to create a life-like appearance and behavior,” Michele Sturdivant, director of PR and communications for Mattel Brands, told TDmonthly. Launch date: Fall 2008. 2/27/2008 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Swinxs by SWINXS BV

Created to facilitate active play with family and friends both indoors and out, this game console speaks, explains how to play games, and cheers on participants. Players interact with the console though XS tags — colorful, microchip-embedded wristbands that begin games and measure player performance. Individuals can download free games onto the console from the Swinxs website. Launch date: 2008.
— One TDmonthly editor was hesitant to include this product in a Toy Fair 2008 top-10 list on the basis that it takes money and electronics to simulate the way children have been playing for generations, and she believes kids will easily tire of it. TDmonthly included it, however, for its encouragement of group play, its novel approach to active gaming, its sleek design and the ability customers have to download additional games from the company's website. ( Watch Video) 2/27/2008

ME2 by iTOYS INC.

This full-color, electronic handheld game doubles as a pedometer, and each step a child takes grants him one point for game play in the three-dimensional ME2 world online. Kids create their own avatar (more than 1 million designs available through combinations of various features) and can interact with other players online, where they might, for example, challenge others to a race. Six colors are available. Launch date: August 2008. 2/27/2008 (Price: $34.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Guitar Wizard by ALLEGRO CORPORATION

The product includes both the SoundTech Ediface Digital Guitar Interface and the patented Guitar Wizard software, allowing users to play and learn on their PC or Mac with their existing acoustic or electric guitars. The SoundTech Ediface technology converts the guitar sounds to digital for live interactive video game play. Virtually any guitar can be used with the Soundtech Ediface and virtually any song can be used with the Pro software. The game’s unique, patented, five-step method allows anyone to learn how to play a real guitar and read music in minutes. 2/19/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Webkinz Duck by GANZ

This cute little duck comes with a code that allows its owner to access Webkinz World online.
— Over 26 percent of 45 retailers surveyed by TDmonthly in early 2008 named Webkinz as their hottest selling item.
— “Webkinz by Ganz — they still sell out every shipment,” Melodie Ingwersen, owner of Creativity for Kids in Columbia, S.C., told TDmonthly in early 2008.
— “[They] have been really hot for the last couple of years,” she added. 2/18/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Zibbies – Z. Mylez the Turtle by PLAY VISIONS INC.

This cute character is outfitted with super-stretchy hair. The comical, edgy and eccentric plush Zibbies now have a new home – on the Internet Launched in January 2008, ZibbieZone.com is a virtual playground for children and their Zibbie friends. It offers games, interactive experiences and delightful illustrations. No Zibbies purchase is necessary. “The website was created by celebrated children's book author Stephen Cosgrove (Penguin Publishing), who has written more than 300 books,” Vice President Lauri Aibel of Schwartz Public Relations told TDmonthly. 2/18/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Power Rangers Jungle Fury by BANDAI AMERICA INC.

This improved version of the Mega Mission Helmet allows users to download more over 50 role-playing missions from the Internet. Launch date: February 2008. 2/12/2008

Adventure in Numberland by Comfy, Inc.

This interactive phone for toddlers contains over 36 educational and entertaining activities. The phone reacts to voices, helping children strengthen their social skills and build confidence. Launch date: February 2008. THIS PRODUCT HAS BEEN UPDATED. See latest version here. 1/31/2008

The Price Is Right DVD 2nd Edition by ENDLESS GAMES

This second edition of the popular television game show features new and improved versions of Contestant's Row, The Showcase Showdown and Plinko. Launch date: July 15, 2008. 1/29/2008 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Fever Frenzy by LEGACY INTERACTIVE

In this “service” style game, players must take on the job of curing some of the wackiest patients they have ever met. There are 40 levels and four different medical settings where patients suffer from Baboonic Plague, Mother Goose Bumps, third degree sideburns and more. Win Hospital challenges and discover one’s rare and special abilities to help you save the world from the funniest outbreaks ever. Launch date: March 2008. 1/18/2008 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]