February 2010 Notable Toys — Electronics

The fast-moving SkitterBot is charged by a USB remote contoller. Individuals can battle or race the bots as each color has its own frequency. SkitterBot is available in four colors: Clear Diamond, Clear Emerald Green, Clear Ruby Red and Clear Sapphire Blue. "Our items can be charged by our unique USB remote control and SkitterBot travels at a speed of 12" per second," David Piltz, Managing Director, Desk Pets, told TDmonthly. Schylling is the distributor to specialty stores in the United States. Launch date: June 2010. Watch Video

The Touch Learning System comes with a side QWERTY keyboard. It is based on self-education mostly, with Mom and Dad interface that puts the kids in these roles as they go through specially designed educational applications. The screen lets them tap, flick, pat or drag and drop. According to the apps' requirements, children will be using the MobiGo through the QWERTY keyboard, just like their parents. These should also check online on the official website as VTech offers progress reports and reading certificates.

FISHER-PRICE’s Kid-Tough Music Player is, as its name suggests, a mp3 player designed to be kid-friendly and kid-tough. Able to survive drops, the player features large buttons, simple controls, and easy-to-use software. Available in pink or blue, the Kid-Tough Music Player can hold more than four hours of music and works with most digital music file types. Launch date: July 2010.

The device, which opens like a book, has a stylus and offers kids the chance to read along with an animated story, play an arcade-style game, play music, trace letters and upload and draw on photos, among other activities. Launch date: July 2010

Move over Kindle, there is a new e-reader in town. VTech’s FLiP is billed as an animated e-reader for children. Unlike other e-readers, the FLiP’s features were designed with kids in mind. The unit itself features bright colors and large buttons. Like other e-readers, FLiP can download books, but FLiP’s library includes kid friendly titles like Shrek and Dora the Explorer. The stories include animation, interactive games, and definitions of words, features intended to make reading fun and educational. Launch date: 2010.

More than 30 years after his original introduction, Alphie robot is making a comeback. The educational robot has been updated with an LCD screen face and childlike voice to give Alphie more personality. With 350 questions and challenges included on 30 cards, Alphie teaches children counting, matching, rhyming and more. Launch date: Fall 2010.
—As of 10.25.2010, this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 25 reviews on Amazon.com and was No. 6 on the top 100 best-selling toys and games. PROS: Fun and educational. CONS: Cards can be bent and become unusable.

Now the family dog can join in on all the fun of Twitter. This high-tech attachment for a dog's collar detects the canine's barks and movements and translates those actions into pre-programmed tweets broadcast via Twitter. There are hundreds of possibilities of what Fido could "say," from commenting on catching his tail to begging his owner to come home soon. Puppy Tweets comes with a USB connector for the computer; the owner simply downloads software off the Internet and establishes a Twitter account for the dog. Launch date: Fall 2010.

This app-enabled, remote-controlled vehicle has video capability and features live transmission of video and audio to a color LCD panel and speaker on the remote. It comes preloaded with applications but can also be connected to a computer through a USB so that owners can create or modify apps online. It includes an SD card slot for recording, a speaker and microphone, and a software development kit for programming usage. Launch date: Fall 2010.

These AA rechargeable batteries utilize a nickel-zinc, water-based electrolyte system to create a high performance battery (30% higher voltage than NiMH) for high-drain applications. Can be charged hundreds of times. Environmentally friendly and 100% recyclable.

These AA rechargeable batteries utilize a nickel-zinc, water-based electrolyte system to create a high performance battery (30% higher voltage than NiMH) for high-drain applications. Can be charged hundreds of times. Environmentally friendly and 100% recyclable.

This battery charger for PowerGenix quickly charges 2 to 4 AA or 2 AAA NiZn batteries in 3 to 5 hours. LED lights indicate charging status and the charger utilizes universal voltage for ease of use while traveling.

This battery charger for PowerGenix quickly charges 1 to 4 AA or 2 AAA NiZn batteries in as little as 1.5 hours. LED lights indicate charging status and the charger utilizes universal voltage for ease of use while traveling.

This set features a powerful diesel locomotive and three streamlined passenger cars, a 40" x 60" oval of snap-fit roadbed track, and a powerful 80 Watt AC transformer. "This set includes everything needed to get started in O gauge model railroading at an affordable price," Jack Lynch, Communications Manager, Bachmann Industries, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 2009.

The Sketch Jr is Hi-Tec Art LLC's most versatile version of Hi-Tec Art. It runs on three AA batteries and is very lightweight and portable. Includes patented technology that lets the user "play" with LEDs. There are three versions of this toy: Camo for boys, Flower Power for girls, and Games for kids of all ages. "The technology is brand new, the possibilities are endless, and kids absolutely love bringing light to their art!" Roy Smith, CEO, Hi-Tec Art, LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 5, 2010.

These IR wireless headphones are designed specifically for children with guaranteed 100-percent compatibility in all U.S. cars having built-in DVD/video systems, the unique features like automatic power off when not in use, independent volume control on the ear-cup and a comfortable design. "[The] unique design specifically focused on children's comfort, safety and fit make the Kidz Gear Wireless Car Headphones ideal for travel in the car or even at home (use the separately sold IR68KGTR wireless transmitter)," Jack Peterson, VP Sales and Marketing, Kidz Gear, toldTDmonthly. Launch date: Dec. 15, 2010.

This toy looks like the real thing and is designed to be very sturdy. It is also lightweight, compact and portable. There are eight early learning activities in English and Spanish. The interactive bilingual toy teaches the alphabet, words, numbers, shapes and colors. Includes 3 AAA batteries. "The Ingenio line is affordable and innovative, making it attractive for the specialty market," Ilango Sankaralingam, President, Smart Play, LLC, told TDmonthly. Awards: 2009 Creative Child Toy of The Year. Launch date: October 2009.

The Versus Scoreboard is a fully digital scoreboard and time-keeping device with a powerful audio system. Special sound effects are designed to bring the feel of the stadium home. Featuring state-of-the-art MP3 playback, this sleek and highly-portable device functions as a classic boom box. Awards: 2009 Design Exchange Award for Engineering. Launch date: July 2009.

YBUDS is the first music-sharing earphone that allows you to share music from your MP3, IPOD, PSP, CD or DVD player with up to two other people. It's designed to be great for use on the airplane, on a cruise while laying on the deck, on the beach with friends, in the back seat of a long car drive or just hanging out with friends. Launch date: October 2009.

A touch of fashion with an attention to sound clarity and power. The new eco-friendly iPom speakers come in 3 different colors with expandable speakers that can be hooked directly to the iPom or placed as a satellite, and a built in subwoofer.

Bring a new look to any room or office with an astonishing sound and a Humanized touch control volume technology. The iPom comes with a remote control and a 3.5 mm output jack to enjoy the sound of your music.

iBoo comes with multiple cradles to dock your iPod, charge it and listen to your music in a fun way. You can conveniently control the volume up or down through the use of the remote control or through the new humanized patented technology implemented on the iBoo. The iBoo is eco-friendly and comes with a 3.5 mm input jack to be used with the iPod shuffle, your computer terminal, or any other audio source to enhance your listening experience. Available in red, white, and blue.

Designed with a Panda theme, the iPanda is a speaker that includes patented Humanized Touch technology to control the volume of its speakers while being fashionably sleek and cute. iPanda includes an iPod docking station at the top as well as a 3.5 mm input audio jack for other audio devices.

The iPig is compact in size and packed with defining technology. It is not only an iPod docking station; it is the speaker that will bring life and an awe-inspiring experience to your audio, video and gaming devices. It includes patented Humanized Touch technology control to change the volume of the speakers via the ears on the iPig.

The iPig comes in three different fashionable shiny colors to suit your taste and complements décor around it in your home, office, or dorm room. The iPig is the perfect music buddy for all occasions.

This MP3 player, available in several styles, lights up to beat of the music. Kids can download their favorite songs and auto-synch them with Mix Central software and online Mix Central download store, where they can also buy TV shows and music videos. The player has a 2GB memory to hold 1,000 songs, supports by MP3 and SD cards, and includes a rechargeable battery, software, a lanyard, ear buds, a USB cable and a guide. It comes with a one-year warranty. Launch date: Summer 2009.