TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Interactive Product Category

Ty Girlz – Cute Candy by TY INC.

This 14” soft-sculpt doll is dressed in the latest trend-setting fashions that can be mixed and matched, and each Ty Girlz outfit comes with complementary accessories. The dolls have soft, realistic hair that can be easily combed and styled in numerous ways. Their clothes, hair and makeup are coordinated in monochromatic hues for a distinctive look, and the dolls are accompanied by a 3-D interactive virtual world. “Our patent-pending design, quality, price, fashions, detail and virtual Girlz world, set us apart from the rest,” Marketing Manager Dana Scott-Turkovich for Ty Inc. told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2007. 8/9/2007 (Price: $12.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Webkinz Black Stallion by GANZ

This black horse is gentle, mysterious and beautiful — the perfect pal to share secrets and stories with. In the online Webkinz World, the Black Stallion loves to cook. Its special item is the hay bale sofa and its special food is the horseshoe huckleberry hotcakes.
— Lynn Robillard, owner of Toys in the Attic in Manchester, Vt., told TDmonthly that when they’re available, Webkinz are one of her top-10 best-selling product lines.
— These computer-savvy plush pals take fourth place for best-selling toys at Red Wagon Toy Co. in Woodstock, Vt., according to Owner Kim Smith, who spoke with TDmonthly in summer 2007. 7/27/2007 (Price: $10.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

MiYu Magic Stones by WINSCOTT CORPORATION

This soft velvety pouch contains three polished MiYu Magic Stones. There are 40 MiYu Magic Stones to collect, each with a Zodiac significance and each infused with the power of Love, Wisdom, Success or Energy. Inside the pouch is also a secret code that grants access to the MiYu Magic website where one can learn more about the magic stones. On the website, children also designate which charity is given money from their purchase. "MiYu Magic Stones are genuine semi-precious stones from around the world that are thousands of years old. They have real value and beauty unlike many of the plastic toys found at mass [market]," Scott Irwin, director of marketing for Winscott Corporation, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2007. 7/13/2007 (Price: $5.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Adorable Kinders Rag Dolls Alise by GRANZA INC.

The plush Adoptable Kinders Rag Dolls designed by famed artisan Aranza Zamora are washable, wear interchangeable clothes and stand about 18” tall. The collection is themed as an active group of 26 kindergarten friends with different personalities, and the name of each character begins with a different letter of the alphabet. The dolls come with an internet key-code that allows children to register online at the “Adoptable Kinders School,” where they can play educational games progressing from kindergarten through high school. A child graduates to the next grade when the games for one grade level are completed. “Our dolls are true rag dolls made from sewn fabrics and non-allergenic polyester filling. They are handmade here in the United States,” Maria Zamora of Granza Inc. told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2007. ( Watch Video) 7/6/2007 (Price: $59.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Adorable Kinders Rag Dolls Qiana by GRANZA INC.

Each high-quality, washable Adoptable Kinders rag doll is designed by famed artisan Aranza Zamora. The 26-doll collection is themed as an active group of kindergarten friends with different personalities, and the name of each character begins with a different letter of the alphabet. Each doll comes with an Internet key-code that allows children to register online at the “Adoptable Kinders School,” where they can play educational games. A child graduates to the next grade when all the games for one grade level are completed. The dolls are about 18” tall. ( Watch Video) 7/5/2007 (Price: $59.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Horseland Interactive Talking Horse and Rider Set – Sarah and Scarlet by THINKWAY

Place Sarah on the saddle;  magically, she talks and Scarlet will interact with her with a whinny and sound effects! The toy features the original TV-show character voices and horse sound effects, including walking, trotting and jumping. The set comes with ten accessories, including saddle, bridle, riding helmet, crop, brush, comb, two barrettes, trophy and cell phone. Horseland fills a niche in the girls category by having realistic product features and functions, including voice and sounds, that stay true to the characters in the animated TV show. Launch Date: August 1, 2007. 6/29/2007 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Spider-Man 3 Action Command Spider-Man by THINKWAY

The wireless, infrared remote control has two joy sticks and 10 buttons for different programmed actions. Spider-Man moves in any direction with preprogrammed actions including 360-degree spins, “S”-shaped turns, web-slinging action with sound effects and character voice. The remote control is also programmable and easy to use, with over 1,000 possible program-action combos. It’s available in red and black. Launch date: May 2007. ( Watch Video) 6/29/2007 (Price: $39.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Actus Tale by OIKOS GLOBAL

Actus Tale is a highly interactive game designed to help kids express their thoughts and feelings in different life situations. By encouraging players to share thoughts by acting them out, the game is great bonding fun for the whole family. Launch date: September 2007. 6/13/2007 (Price: $11.95)

Jellybeanies - Strawberry Bear Sammy by TOMORROW INC.

 Strawberry Bear is one of eight candy-colored plush animals with a patent-pending scent release feature. The fragrance is designed to last up to 24 months. Each character includes a unique story and a special alphanumeric code to access a customized online environment where children can interact with their toy and make new friends. “It’s a consumer promoted, advertised line that’s sold exclusively outside of Top 3 Mass Customers,” Chief Marketing Officer Jim Huntley of Tomorrow Incorporated told TDmonthly. He also said that scent “rose to the top” of the preferred list in a study of 10 features among 500 6- to 12-year-old girls. Launch date: July 1, 2007. 6/8/2007 (Price: $13.00)

Feel Better Frog by MANHATTAN TOY

This eight-piece electronic interactive set includes the following: a plush frog, a blanket, a thermometer, a soup bowl and spoon, a tissue, a bandaid and a medicine bottle. The frog says 14 phrases and talks when someone hugs, feeds, takes its temperature or blows its nose. The product includes three AA batteries. Launch date: January 2007. ( Watch Video) 5/24/2007 (Price: $40.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Purse Pals by WILD PLANET

Purse Pals are 3-D pets that live in a virtual world.  Each small pet comes in a purse that opens to reveal a play environment with electronic sensors.  Icons displayed on an LCD screen on the purse measure the pet's needs and happiness.  Character Recognition technology enables the purses to recognize different pets and launch into party mode when other animals visit.  In addition to group activity, there are plenty of games intended for one-on-one time between a girl and her pet.  Launch date: August 2007. 5/15/2007 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Interactive Lia by COROLLE DOLLS

Corolle’s 17", multilingual baby doll communicates in French, English, Spanish or Italian. Through a simple, well-hidden and secure battery system, little girls can activate Lia’s language skills using different Corolle charm bracelets. Specific, gentle touches and tickles to Lia result in endearing, realistic responses. She is dressed in velour pajamas and a cap. Accessories include a bib, bottle, pacifier, teddy bear and charm bracelets. AAA batteries are not included.
― “I like working with … Corolle as I can order only what I can use for the time period,” Owner Patti Tepper-Rasmussen of Learning Tree Toys in Oklahoma City, Okla., told TDmonthly in spring 2007.
— “I think people want more interactive dolls,” said Nellie Fais, owner of Toy Magic in Bethlehem, Pa. Twenty-seven of 62 retailers said in spring 2007 that Corolle is their best-selling doll brand, with sales ranging from six to 25 units per month. Corolle’s Lia and Lila are best sellers for Brain Station and Tree Town Toys in Ann Arbor, Mich., Owners Hans and Tricia Masing told TDmonthly in fall 2007.
— Interactive Lia is a precious baby doll from a company that’s popular with specialty retailers. She earned a TDmonthly Top Toy 2007 award for educational value, as she speaks pertinent baby phrases, such as “I’m hungry!” in four languages. Her little baby voice is as pleasant as her pretty pink outfit and accessories. She’s much more than the average baby doll, and vanilla-scented at that. ( Watch Video) 5/8/2007 (Price: $100.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Singing Pizza Elmo by FISHER-PRICE INC.

This Elmo sings and dances to a funny pizza song, and when children press his hand, Elmo’s pizza comes to life, too, opening its eyes and moving its mouth to the tune. Launch date: July 2006. 3/29/2007 (Price: $24.99)

Wurlybird Flyer by WURLYBIRD LTD.

An amusement park inside the living room? That’s what the Whurlybird is, in a nutshell. Safe, practical and speedy, this kid-powered whirling ride-of-fun seats two. Kids grab the handles and voila: 'round and 'round and 'round she goes, where she blows (chunks) nobody knows. “This thing is madness in a box,” explained retail buyer Guy Sanders, who saw it at the British Toy Fair. “It’s very portable, too — folding down and such.” The kids do the powering, so their excitement is in direct proportion to their stamina. 3/29/2007 (Price: $195.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Fantasy Imperium by SHADOWSTAR GAMES INC.

This interactive storytelling game includes several plot points in every session, making it possible to tell a story more quickly than in a typical role-playing game. It contains scripted scenes to which characters react and is like playing an actor in a story, within a war game. The goal is to complete the quest created by the Storyteller. If a player’s character dies, he loses the game (except in the case of heroic death). Characteristics that distinguish this game from typical role-playing games, Creator Mark O’Bannon told TDmonthly, are as follows: historical fantasy; the ability to make any kind of character; spiritual warfare; quick, detailed combat; and a story goal instead of levels or character classes. Launch date: August 2006. ( Watch Video) 3/27/2007 (Price: $34.95)

Girlz Connect Destiny by BANDAI AMERICA INC.

This toy features touch-screen technology that puts personality quizzes at kids’ fingertips, and can also connect to a computer with its USB drive. Tweens can log onto the Girlz Connect web community to create, share and download their own quizzes. Destiny comes in various colors and can be attached to purses, backpacks or belt loops, or worn around the neck. Cliff Jin of The Rogers Group said the youth electronics category grew 22 percent in 2006, according to NPD Group. “Bandai America is leveraging its success in the category — with the top selling “virtual pet” Tamagotchi Connection — to launch the new Girlz Connect brand,” he added. Launch date: July 2007. 2/27/2007 (Price: $19.99)

BamZ Interactive Insoles by BAMZ LTD

BamZ are fun interactive insoles for kids’ shoes. These intelligent insoles have a programmable LED display, which is positioned on the rear of the shoe. As the kid walks, the insoles' powertread sensor activates their personally programmed message. With 40 characters and symbols to choose from, kids can now “Let the walk do the talk.” The product is available in both single and double packs. “Totally original and a new product line, BamZ allows kids to express themselves in a fun and unique way,” Design Director Andrew Brodie of BamZ told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2007. 2/27/2007 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

MINO™ Fully Interactive Robotic Bear by KITTRICH CORPORATION

The large brown plush bear responds to a wireless wand that is used for interaction and decision-making. A child simply holds the wand, which detects speed and the positioning of the hand, to activate the bear. The teddy bear dances to music and laughs when his stomach is tickled. The product is based on platform technology to later support learning games and an interactive storybook through software. “Mino is the first robotic toy developed with this technology. [It’s] a robotic bear that actually plays with you, and learns with you as time progresses,” Rhoel Abraham, product manager for the specialty division at Kittrich, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2007. 2/23/2007 (Price: $300.00)

Squawkers McCaw Furreal Friends Parrot by HASBRO INC.

Cover the cage: Real parrots will develop an inferiority complex when they see this new interactive toy. Squawkers not only repeats the words it hears, but responds when kids touch it and even dances! ... All without losing its feathers. Launch date: Fall 2007.
— At Toy Fair 2007, “there was a talking parrot by Hasbro Tiger Electronics that was pretty cool,” Shanna Frieling, owner of Giggles Toys & More in Bozeman, Mt., told TDmonthly. 2/9/2007 (Price: $69.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

T.M.X. Ernie by MATTEL INC.

Forget Bert. Ernie has a new pal for laughs. Like T.M.X. Elmo, tickling sends him into paroxysms. When he falls down laughing, he kicks his legs and spins in a circle before getting up again, ready for more. The doll stands 11" tall. 2/9/2007 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

T.M.X. Cookie Monster by MATTEL INC.

Me want Tickle!  Now T.M.X. Elmo has a hungry hungry friend: T.M.X. Cookie Monster just needs two tickles to get him going. He falls down, laughs, rolls from side to side, and gets up. 2/9/2007 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

M3 Pocket by JUNGLETAC INTERACTIVE CO. LTD.

This all-in-one system features a 2.5" digital crystal LCD screen, a slim, portable design, 50 games, a built-in speaker, an eight-direction pad and an auto-off function. It requires three AAA batteries (included). According to Carrie Wu, marketing director for Jungletac Interactive, “high clarity, more fun and endless new games” make this product unique. Launch date: January 2005. 1/29/2007 (Price: $19.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

One Station by JUNGLETAC INTERACTIVE CO. LTD.

This mobile digital system features a 2.5-inch digital crystal LCD panel and can be plugged into a TV for clearer and wider images. The product supports multiple platforms, allowing it to be used as a gaming or educational device. Certain cartridges allow it to be converted for use as a MP3/MP4 player, a digital TV or camera, or a photo viewer. The slim, portable design is lightweight and requires three AAA batteries (included). Launch date: October 2005. 1/29/2007 (Price: $17.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

My Beating Heart by BANANA DESIGN LAB LLC

This soft, huggable heart has a soothing heartbeat you can actually feel. When hugging the heart, the tactile heartbeat reminds you of holding a pet or a loved-one. After a moment, you may begin to sense your own heartbeat slowly syncing with My Beating Heart's carefully designed rhythm. The product is designed to help children and grown-ups to nap, daydream, meditate, and relax. Every heart is hand-made in New York.
— “There is a small computer in each Beating Heart that uses artificial intelligence to act just like a real heart, so the heartbeat rhythm subtly and realistically changes over time. …this is one of the most hi-tech plush toys on the market,” CEO Yury Gitman of Banana Design Lab told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 15, 2007. 1/8/2007 (Price: $49.99)

Play TV Skateboarder by RADICA GAMES

Experience realistic skateboard action in either individual or two-player mode. Use a combination of joystick buttons and board movements to play. Skateboarder plugs into TV. 12/8/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]