January 2009 Notable Toys — Electronics

All Star Karaoke CD+Gs are now featuring the Jonas Brothers. When placed in any karaoke player the lyrics appear on the screen.

Kids can build a multi-terrain robotic vehicle, complete with six S-shaped legs designed to conquer tough terrains, such as sand, rocks, and grass. They'll test its limits by towing toy cars, climbing a stack of books, or negotiating a wall. Includes instructions for five guided projects that touch upon the science of motion and energy to explain why RoboXplorer reacts differently to various terrains.

Designed for children who are accustomed to saying, "Five more minutes, please," or interpret "right now" to mean at the commercial break, The My Time Activities Timer helps children complete tasks in a timely manner, self-monitor their leisure activities, and take more responsibility to manage their time. Features include Main Activity icon buttons (TV Time, Video Game Time, Computer Time) and a customizable interchangeable button (far right button on timer). The timer is easy to set up and use, and comes with instructions for pre-programming. "This product is ideal for children who need that extra help to limit their exposure to too much TV, video games and computer time, but also encourages [them] to spend more time reading, practicing music [and] doing physical activities," Veronique Bella, owner of My TIme Timer LLC, told TDmonthly. The timer requires 2 AAA batteries. It received a 2008 Seal of Approval from The National Parenting Center. Launch date: 2008.

BARSKA’s Point ’n View is a state-of-the-art integration of a high-quality 8 x 22 roof prism binocular and .3MP digital camera that is equally at home on a nature outing, sporting event or vacation. Instead of packing a separate binocular and digital camera, Point ‘n View gives you the convenience of both in one compact device. The Point ‘n View is packed with features that allow one to see, save, and share special moments with friends and family. Simply look through the binoculars and record the scene with the digital camera; then, download it to your PC and print it or e-mail it to friends. It includes a carrying case, instructions, software and cables. Launch date: 2008.

Never has early learning been so much fun! These portable, hand-held talking animals are cute and colorful and as much fun as they look. Kids can learn ABC, 123, colors & shapes, animal sounds and favorite nursery rhyme melodies. Each Early Learning Animal Pal teaches something different! The animal pals feature an auto shut-off feature and requires two “AA” batteries (included). With light up buttons and fun, friendly voices and activities, these Early Learning Animal Pals will soon become your child’s favorite toy. Recommended for ages 18+ months and up.

When these lifelike, miniature plastic animals and dinosaurs embedded with barcodes are swiped with a scanner,  a pre-recorded voice offers acts about the creatures. Animal figures are available separately for $4.99 to $12.99 each.

Children will be inspired to shake their thangs when they step in front of this kid-friendly camera console. When plugged into the TV, the camera project little ones onto the TV screen so they can dance along to kid-friendly tunes and adorable preschool characters. In Dance Along mode, kids can get down with Playskool characters while be-bopping to 20 popular and playful preschool tunes. Camera console comes with cable, snap-on base and instructions (product works best on a 27" or smaller TV). It requires 4 "AA" batteries, which are not included.

These high-tech goggles allow kidsd to see in the dark, so they can spy on family and friends late at night. They are equipped with headphones for enhanced sound and a high-powered LED light for better viewing. Launch date: November 2008.

This digital metal detector allows kids to hunt for lost or hidden treasures. It includes headphones with audio tone alert and volume control. Launch date: November 2008.

With the Bionic Ear, children can listen to faint and far-away sounds with a range up to 300'. It includes digital record and playback with headphones, plus background noise reduction that makes the hearing amazingly clear. This product helps kids "learn how the secret spies listen to sounds and conversations far away," Janice Hudy, sales and marketing assistant at POOF-Slinky told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 2008.

This high-tech version of the Techno Gears Marble Mania Genius has more than 520 pieces, so kids can build a bigger and better marble run. New dual power lifters, quad-track marble channels, a spiral channel and a marble loop channel are just a few features of the Genius set. It requires one AA battery. Launch date: June 2008.

TykeLight GloMate by MOBI features an easy-to-clean surface that is soft to the touch, durable and impact resistant. The all-white GloMate, once illuminated, can turn a constant blue, green or pink; or rainbow-mode cycles between all three colors. Thanks to the built-in NmH rechargeable batteries and low-voltage charging base, TykeLight GloMate can provide up to 10 hours of constant light when fully charged. It turns on automatically when removed from the base, and the LED lights do not give off heat, so it’s cool to the touch. “Gentle Sleep” mode automatically dims and shuts off the light after 15 minutes. "The GloMate is not just a nightlight, but [also] a portable buddy for kids [that] is great for traveling and the perfect answer to 'Can you leave the light on?'" Dan Grody, publicist at Tellem Worldwide on behalf of MOBI, told TDmonthly. "It provides the perfect ambiance for nighttime feedings and it uses very little energy, lasting through the day or night on a single charge." This item received a 2008 Greatest Products iParenting Media Award. Launch date: October 2008.

Featuring the famed ’57 Chevrolet® Bel Air Coupe and legendary 1960 Plymouth® Fury in original form and detail on a 1:32 scale, Carrera’s Classic Memories Set captures the nostalgia of “the happy days” and transports drivers, race fans and collectors alike back to the time when both classics could be found dragging the strip and speeding to the local sock hop. “General Motors’ ’57 Chevy® and ’60 Plymouth® Fury were innovative in their day,” said Alan Hess, president of Carrera America. “Both models’ body styling, revolutionary suspensions and transmissions make them a natural addition to Carrera Evolution’s high performance, original-licensed offerings. With this new set, we’re reviving and refreshing timeless classics in a fun, exciting way.” Launch date: November 2008.

Themed after “The Dark Knight,” Carrera of America’s 1:43 scale GO!!! Batman slot car race track system is giving the young - and the young at heart- a chance to step into the cockpit of Batman’s “Hyperdrive” and take on the Joker in his “Joker Mobile” through the streets of Gotham City at scale speeds up to 450 miles per hour. Licensed through DC Comics and WarnerBros. (WB), the set brings the streets of Gotham City to life, featuring the following: two 1:43 scale slot cars: Batmobile “Hyperdrive” and “The Joker Mobile”, straights (114 mm and 342 mm), curves 1/90°, a junction, loop sections with supports, fly over sections with supports, a narrow section, a connecting track section, a straight with lap counter, two speed controllers, a transformer, and accessories: track section bolts, guardrails, replacement contact brushes, spare guide keels and instructions. Dimensions when assembled: 210 x 98 cm/6.89 x 3.21 ft. Track length: 6,2 m/20.34 ft. Launch date: July 2008.

Carrera of America is recreating the excitement, thrills and spills of real-life motorsport racing with its new Digital 132 GT Racer set, which combines superior model making and state-of-the-art technology to provide lightning-quick, brilliant tactical moves, precision drifts in search of the ideal line, pit stops and peak speed capacity, and is compatible with other manufactures’ analog racetrack and slot car systems. Carrera’s 1:32 scale Digital GT Racer set is outfitted with a Porsche GT3 RSR Felbermayr Proton Competition LMES 2007, a BMW Z4 M Coupé Schubert Motors, 11 standard straights, three 1/3 Straights, a connecting track with black box, two Digital 132 lane change sections (four track sections), 10 curves 1/60°, a wireless tower, two wireless speed controllers, a transformer, guardrails, replacement contacts, instructions, verge border sections and track section interlocks. Assembled dimensions are 350 x 179 cm/11.48 x 5.87 ft. Track length: 9,0 m/29.53 ft. Launch date: November 2008.

From Tiger Electronics, this remote-controlled, 29" dancing robot moves and two wheels and can tote an iPod or MP3 player on its back. Equipped with flashing LED lights, stereo speakers and hands shaped like turntables, the Automated Music Personality robot uses Dynamic Balancing Technology in order to move in a way that seems to defy the laws of gravity. Launch date: November 2008.