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CES 2008: PortaPower Rechargeable Batteries
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: CES, CES 2008, Storage, Toys,
You are going to need some batteries once you finish buying all those new video toys. How intelligent of PortaPower to display their wares at the CES. They feature 8 different models of high-power rechargable Li-ion battery packs. The company also promises that they have done sufficient research so they will not explode at high discharge rates. Check with PortaPower either there or online to find out more as they have several price ranges and are product specific.
Read More 
| CES Planner
Gallery: CES 2008: PortaPower Rechargeable Batteries
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Not content enough to just play hero? Jasman Toys has come to the CES with weapons
toys in hand. Their Halo 3 Covenant Plasma Pistol and Rifle feature “laser pursuit” technology. We were scared just listing the description. In full size, the weapons vibrate, make noise, recoil, and flash their lights. If they overheat, they pop their flanges. How truly embarrassing for them. Both of them come with LCD screen counter to keep track of your kills. Pre-order at HotTopic.
Read More | CES Planner
Gallery: CES 2008: Halo 3 Covenant
CES 2008: iNo Names That Tune
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Apple, CES, CES 2008, Music, Portable Audio / Video, Toys,
Although it has been out for awhile, this one of Sababa’s first public appearances to show off their iNo music trivia game. Compatible with all iPods except iPod shuffle and the 3rd generation nano, plop one in the interactive trivia game, and identify the tune, album, or artist. There are four wireless remotes to end the music and lock out the other players. The iNo comes with 50 action cards, so we are assuming that it just doesn’t play your tunes. That would be just wrong. The game requires 6 AA batteries (not included) at the post-holiday Target price of $35.99.
Read More | CES Planner
Gallery: CES 2008: iNo Names That Tune
CES 2008: Wowwee Announces New, Plasticky Robotic Things
Posted by Chris Cardinal Categories: CES, CES 2008, Toys,
Not one to be left behind by Ugobe’s recently released, highly lifelike Pleo robotic dinosaur, Wowwee’s fired back with their announcement of their 2008 product line. Mr. Personality, pictured, features a full color LCD screen that portrays “personality” through animated facial features displayed on the screen. He’s also expandable, by virtue of USB or a media card. Wowwee also announced the plasticky, bellbottom-donning FemiSapien robot. FemiSapien can dance to music and “even speak her own language of emotive sounds,” kind of like a life-like, freakish Sim.
My experience with Wowwee is that they present the cold, dark, plastic filled and android-esque side of the robotic toy world. They last year demoed one of their robotic toys for me that had what I could only liken to an epileptic seizure, flailing around and then off the table. It was… macabre. I think that Wowwee’s going to really need to kick things in to gear in order to be able to hold their market here. The Pleo is adorable, has well painted, silicone-based skin and emotes far better than anything we’ve seen from Wowwee. They also “evolve” in their personality (or will soon, once a firmware update hits). Wowwee’s robots fall of the table and scare me.
It’s even more impressive that Pleo only cost $100 more than, say, the RoboSapien when it was initially released. Wowwee charges far too much for something that’s not damn close to the Pleo’s quality and feature set. Get ready, Wowwee—there’s some serious competition in town.
Gallery: CES 2008: Wowwee Announces New, Plasticky Robotic Things
Although Yy Nakajima was crowned the World Champ when he solved the Rubik’s Cube in about 12 seconds, Cube-Kun is even faster. Designed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and standing about 2 meters tall, the robot spends only a second or two figuring out the puzzle. When given a cube, his sensors determine the current position of each square while you watch his permutations on his flat panel display head. Cube-Kun will be on display at Tokyo’s TEPIA plaza next month. We wonder if he will move on to bigger and better things to do with his time, say, solve global warming?
Read More | Tokyo Mango
Gallery: Cube-Kun Speeds Through Rubik’s
What kind of life do you have when, to let your loved one know you care, you make a bovine noise to them via USB? Someone must have thought that was a clever idea and invented the MooMoo. Note that two different voices are used when the cow’s magic button is pushed, but we are thinking that in the grand scheme of things, this is still a lot of bull. Can you say IM? Can you say e-mail? Can you say telephone?
Read More | Get USB
Gallery: MooMoo When You are Lonely
Don’t throw those pennies away. The Jinsei Ginko (Life Bank) takes Tamagotchi to the next level. Put your extra coinage into it and watch an entire virtual family develop. The more you feed it, the wealthier they become. The monochrome LED display will evolve from abject squalor to a happy marriage, then to a lifestyle of the rich and famous. We’re not quite sure how long it takes to get there, but it’s not like you are going to join the Jet Set anytime soon on your own. At a price ¥4,987 (~$44.00,) check with Takara Tomy for details.
Read More | PingMag
Gallery: Jinsei Ginko Makes You Vicariously Rich
Re-live (or Avenge) Childhood Memories with Desktop Dodgeball
Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Accessories, Toys,
Whether you were the victor—or victim—of this game as a child, here’s an interesting way to turn back the clock: Desktop Dodgeball. Just line up the 8 wooden “kids”...and knock them down by flicking the miniature spongeball. A fun way to release workplace stress, or just have a little fun in your cubicle instead of surfing the internet
. Available for $15 USD.
Read More | Uncommon Goods
Gallery: Re-live (or Avenge) Childhood Memories with Desktop Dodgeball
Woo Hoo! The Homer Simpson USB Hub
Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Accessories, USB, PC / Laptop, Peripherals, Toys,
If you worship Homer Simpson—and in particular his questionable work ethic—check out this fun USB hub. Not only can you plug 4 USB
peripherals in it, just press the button and Homey spins around in his chair yelling “Woo Hoo!”. Classic! A must-have for the Homer fanatic. The base is 4” in diameter, and the hub is 5.5” tall. We love it, but think it’s a little pricey at $48 USD. But that probably won’t matter to the most hardcore “Simpsons” fans.
Read More | Perpetual Kid
Gallery: Woo Hoo! The Homer Simpson USB Hub
Test Your Index Strength with the Finger Flick Punchbag
Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Accessories, Toys,
Hey there, worker bee (yes, you). Are you looking to add a little frivolity to your
workday? We share your pain, which is why we present the Desktop Finger Flick Punchbag, a mini version of those ego-crushing “test-your-strength” punchbags at carnivals and state fairs. Just flick the bag with your finger and the “Flick-o-Meter” will light up, indicating whether you’re a Mega Wimp, Super Hero or somewhere in between. We suggest conducting competitions for your floor or department…while the boss is on vacation, of course. Requires 2 AA batteries (included). However, if it’s a stress-reducer you’re seeking, check out the Desktop Speed Bag. Available for $15 USD.
Read More | Wowzzers
