May 2010 Notable Toys — Electronics

People read up to 30% slower on-screen than on paper, aggravating problems of readers who struggle with reading printed materials. eSee-N-Read™ electronic reading tool for PCs focuses on-screen readers on the proper line of text, enhances transitions between lines, reducing word and line skipping. eSee-N-Read™ is a modifiable teaching tool used to highlight key on-screen information while obscuring distracting ads that clutter internet screens. eSee-N-Read™ can also open as many as needed at once. "eSee-N-Read™ works with any program to aid the on-screen reading and perception process. There is no similar product on the market (patent pending)," Steven R. Smith, Marketing Manager of CadenaSmith Enterprises, told TDmonthly.

These squeeze-powered, kid-sized flashlights come in a variety of animals whose noses light up when switched on. The side lever stores inside the body and can be released and squeezed to charge up the light. The 12-piece counter displays include four assorted animals in each assortment. The Zoo assortment includes a tiger, panda, monkey, and penguin, whereas the Farm assortment features a cow, pig, duck, and dog.

Jessie comes packaged with a USB key that provides access to Hub City and to Nuna, a magical, natural forest off the mainland in KizPlanet. Jessie is the steward of the "green" island of Nuna. She loves nature and animals, doesn't mind getting dirty, and is a mix of a tomboy spirit and a compassionate nature. With Nuna KizPals Jessie or Takoda, kids gain additional interaction points in Nuna and Hub City, unique areas for their avatar to check out, and new quests, games and adventures. Launch date: 2010.

This powerful reference tool is packed with the features that English and Spanish language learners need most. Designed to enhance grammar and speech skills, it speaks words and phrases—providing students and language-lovers with sample sentences, advanced verb conjugations and learning exercises.

Best of all, it comes with the most trustworthy word lists in circulation: Merriam-Webster’s Spanish-English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster’s Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary and Franklin’s comprehensive thesaurus. Students appreciate features like the TOEFL* word list and SAT** Spanish Subject Test Word List, along with a range of extras, including a phonetic spell corrector, grammar guides and interactive quizzes.

It also includes a USB port† for connectivity to a PC or Mac, allowing users to download their entries from their own dictionaries. Despite its robust features, this powerful device is perfectly sized to fit into a pocket or bookbag, and is ideal for language, gift, puzzle and learning aisles.

3 great tools in 1: Pencil Case, Spelling Corrector and Calculator

Encased in the hand blown glass dome is a mountain with tiny taxis and buses circling on an oval track. Propulsion technology moves the miniature pieces along a very narrow track; and in this case, Pseudo Random Electronics Control causes the vehicles to stop periodically and move at varying speeds. The product features a resin base with a burl wood finish, plus non-scratch felt pads.

Based on the Merriam-Webster's The Official SCRABBLE® Player's Dictionary, 4th edition, this helpful handheld device will be invaluable to players at all levels, who want to master the SCRABBLE® game. It  instantly validates over 100,000 words and provides brief definitions. This device has easy to use features which enhance SCRABBLE® playing skills by building vocabulary. It provides solutions ranked by score and includes three challenging word games that can be played on three different skill levels. It offers easy-to-read large type, on-screen help, automatic shut-off and adjustable contrast control. Requires four AAA batteries (not included).

The Bubbleizer lights up bubbles as they stream out and float in the air. The light show lights the bubbles and entertains you at the same time, making bubbles look great both in the light and in the dark. Requires a bottle of bubble solution and three AA batteries, all included. Launch date: 2010.

This window-climbing robot scoffs at the forces of gravity, using suction cups built into its feet to climb up, down, around and even upside down smooth surfaces like windows, mirrors and metal file cabinets. It requires 2 AAA batteries. Instructions for product can be found sandwiched between the cardboard insert that includes important battery replacement directions.

SOLAR PET ROCK by Desk Pets is the rocking robot that responds to light. The more light it gets, the more it rocks. Four different colors rock in four different ways. The Solar Pet Rock uses 100-percent green energy for power. Batteries never need to be replaced. Launch date: August 29, 2009.

Earloomz is a lightweight, all-in-one earpiece that combines Bluetooth technology with a bold fashion statements, featuring anything from pop-culture designs to sports teams to cheetah print. Launch date: Spring 2010.

The Spy Net Video Watch puts young secret agents in control. It holds up to 30 minutes of video footage, can also capture still photos or plain audio, and features a mini USB port to upload and review files on the Web. Launch date: 2010.

TreBot is micro robot controlled by a a 5-button IR remote that also charges it. TrekBot is available in four colors — Crystal Clear, Clear Safari Yellow, Clear Khaki Green and Clear African Sun — each color with its own frequency so they can be raced. "The size, method of movement and the USB charging" set this product apart, 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 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.