Mattel Announces New Kid’s Tech Products for Fall 2009
Written on Jan 5, 2009 by Brian and filed under Mattel, News
Mattel is formally announcing many of their kid’s tech-oriented Fall 2009 products at CES this week. The new products range from Mindflex, a mind control game, to the Barbie digital nail printer, which lets kids print designs straight onto their fingernails. There’s also a new Xtractaurus line which combines physical dinosaur toys with online components and Ucreate products that lets kids create their own music and games.
Mindflex
Games where kids can use their minds to control objects have become very popular at kid’s museums, now Mattel has created a home version called Mindflex. With Mindflex kids wear a lightweight headset that contains sensors for the forehead and earlobes that measures brainwave activity. When you focus your concentration, a small foam ball will rise on a gentle stream of air. Relax your thoughts and the ball will descend. Easy enough right? Once kids get the hang of it, they can create an obstacle course to make it more challenging.
Mindflex is designed for kids 8 and older and will be available this Fall for $79.99.
Xtractaurus
Dinosaurs were big in 2008 and Mattel looks to expand on the category with Xtractaurs. Xtractaurs starts with a kit that includes a T-Rex action figure, software and extraction gun. Connect the extraction gun to your Mac or PC and then insert into the dinosaur figure to “extract DNA”. Once extracted, the DNA will unlock the online gaming experience.
As kids collect new dinosaur figures they can extract more DNA to unlock new games and features. One of the interesting bits is the ability to combine DNA to create a truly unique Xtractaur. Kids can boost the power of his Xtractaur in five arcade-style games, collect new DNA in dino action games, and ultimately take on the mighty Megavores in battle.
The Xtractaurs Starter Kit is designed for ages 6+ and will be available this Fall for $19.99. Add on Xtractuars will retail for $8.99.
Barbie Digital Nail Printer
Mattel is creating a new line of Barbie products called “Beautronics.” This digital nail printer is the first in this line and will certainly have girls pretty excited. The Barbie nail printer connects to your computer and lets kids print custom designs straight onto their nails. There are 1000s of pre-made designs and kids can also upload photos for printing. The printer uses thermal inkjet technology and specially-formulated cosmetic grade ink to print directly on the nail surface in full color. A built-in color video camera lets kids model nail designs before printing. Designs print in a few seconds and last several days.
The Digital Nail Printer is designed for ages 8+ and will be available this Fall. Pricing for the printer and refill ink has not been determined.
Ucreate Music
Another big trend in 2008 centered on giving kids tools to be creative with music. Mattel’s Ucreate Music is a music making system that allows kids to play DJ. Kids can express themselves though creating their own songs and re-mixes. They can record samples, mix and match loops and create their own music tracks using an assortment of rifts, instruments, runs and backbeats that come with the system. Once complete, kids can share their creations on the Ucreate Music website.
Ucreate Music is designed for kids 6+ and will be available this Fall for $39.99.
Ucreate Games
Another product in the Ucreate line is the new Ucreate Games product that comes with a game tablet to let kids create their own games on a computer. Kids can build and customize unique games using hand drawn lines and a library of fun, interactive game elements, including: drawing templates, photos, sound effects, and recognizable game components. Ucreate Games uses a photographic interface that automatically recognizes game activities and captures the user’s creations. Ucreate Games comes with a drawing tablet, folding camera, USB connection, software, dry erase drawing supplies, and game template booklet.
Ucreate Games is designed for kids 6+ and will be available this Fall for $59.99.
U.B. FUNKEYS Game Factory Tool
U.B. Funkeys is a popular PC-based interactive game where vinyl toy collecting meets casual gaming. The U.B. Funkeys virtual world continues to expand as players collect figures and interact through in-game activities and challenges. The Game Factory tool enhances the user experience by allowing kids to unlock new gaming functionality within the U.B. Funkeys world. With each 2 Game Factory figures, kids can create their own U.B. Funkeys online game and post it to UBFunkeys.com where friends can play and rank their game.
UB Funkeys Game Factory Tool is designed for kids 8+ and will be available this Fall. Pricing is not yet determined.
Update 10/21/09 – Barbie Doll’d Up Nails Review Posted
Update 11/06/09 – UCreate Music Review Posted
Update 11/10/09 – Xtractaurs Review Posted
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