Toy Fair 2010: Off the Beaten Path, Technology-wise
Written on Mar 2, 2010 by RuthJS and filed under Featured, News
One of the really cool things about Toy Fair is that along side the big toy manufacturing conglomerates like Mattel, Fisher Price, Hasbro, VTech, and Lego, you also get to see small mom and pop shops, toys that are waiting to be picked up for manufacturing, and items sold overseas looking for a market share in the US. Here’s where I found some of the coolest items.
Review: Playskool Monty Rex
Written on Dec 14, 2009 by Brian and filed under Hasbro, Reviews
We recently reviewed Playskool’s smaller animatronic dinos – we’re back this time with the much larger Monty Rex Dinosaur who was announced earlier this year at Toy Fair. Monty features six sensors that detect touch or sound and reacts accordingly with roars, crunches and even a little walking.
Star Wars The Clone Wars Indoor Flying R/C [Republic Gunship]
Written on Nov 18, 2009 by Brian and filed under Hasbro, Reviews
We were able to see early designs of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars indoor flying R/C vehicles at Toy Fair this year and were pretty excited about the opportunity to fly Star Wars ships. The foam-bodied flyers come in two versions, a Republic Gunship and Jedi Starfighter. We’ve been putting our review unit of the Gunship through its paces the last few weeks – making kid’s Clone Wars dreams come true.
Review: Tonka Chuck My Talking Truck
Written on Nov 8, 2009 by Brian and filed under Hasbro, Reviews
Any parent with a young boy invariably will end up with a collection of trucks and related vehicles, many of them with the Tonka brand. In our house, my son still plays with his first Tonka dump truck that he received as a gift nearly 5 years ago. With Chuck My Talking Truck, Tonka has fused their classic dump truck durability and design with technology, to give kids 2 and older an entirely new truck experience.
Project Zambi Celebrity Auction
Written on Sep 11, 2009 by Brian and filed under Hasbro
We saw Zambi the baby elephant at Toy Fair and loved the combination of tech and social awareness so much we named it one of our favorite toys from Toy Fair. Hasbro has expanded their mission of helping children who have lost loved ones to aids with a unique celebrity auction. The online auction starts October 5th and will feature custom-designed, one-of-a-kind elephant models signed by one of the participating celebrities. All money raised from the sale of each elephant will be donated to the organization of the celebrity’s choice that supports children orphaned by AIDS in Africa.
Hasbro Announces Remote Control Flying Star Wars Vehicles
Written on Feb 23, 2009 by Brian and filed under Hasbro, News
While Mattel/Tyco announced a set of Star Trek remote control flying ships at Toy Fair, Hasbro was busy with two Star Wars branded fliers. The dual-rotor foam-bodied units will be released in two models initially, a Delta Starfighter and Republic Gunship.
Hasbro Adds to Popular Furreal Friends Line
Written on Feb 22, 2009 by Brian and filed under Hasbro, News
Hasbro used Toy Fair to launch a bunch of toys and girls will be thrilled to learn about their expanded Furreal Friends family. New this year will be Lulu, My Cuddlin’ Kitty, Lil’ Patter Pup, Cuddle Chimp and Luv Cub Panda. There will also be a new series of newborns which will be released this spring.
New I-Dog Models Announced
Written on Feb 22, 2009 by Brian and filed under Hasbro, Tiger Electronics
Tiger Electronics is expanding on their I-Dog line this fall with both new and updated models, along with the first I-Turtle. We recently reviewed some of last fall’s releases which includes the I-Dog Clip and I-Dog Dance and generally we think the lineup is pretty fun. This time around they’re releasing the I-Dog Soft Speaker in new colors and designs, along with the I-Dog Plush Puppy and I-Dog Designer line that lets kids use removable tattoos to decorate their dog.
Nerf Lazer Tag 2-in-1 System Announced
Written on Feb 19, 2009 by Brian and filed under Hasbro, Nerf, News
One of our favorite toys at this year’s Toy Fair is the new Nerf Lazer Tag system. This pick up and play game comes with two lazer tag guns or “taggers” that have sensors on the top, so no need for chest plates and other wearable parts. Because the system is so simple and doesn’t require extra gear, both kids and parents can get involved. The taggers even offer fun features like rumble feedback to let you know when you’ve been hit.
Playskool Launches Kota and Pals Touch Sensitive Dinosaurs
Written on Feb 19, 2009 by Brian and filed under Hasbro, News, Playskool
Playskool has expanded on their Kota dinosaur line with a series of smaller animated robots. The new Kota & Pals line includes three varieties of dino friends, each with touch sensors and their own personalities. The Hatchlings are tiny plush dinos that respond to touch, Stompers walk and make lifelike sounds while the big guy, Monty Rex, walks and moves all of his appendages.
Hasbro Zambi the Baby Elephant Announced – Proceeds to Benefit Children in Africa
Written on Feb 18, 2009 by Brian and filed under Hasbro, News
We saw a lot of great tech toys at Toy Fair this year, but only one combined technology, fun and a social message. Hasbro used Toy Fair to launch Project Zambi. Zambi is a baby elephant which is part of their Furreal Friends animated plush line. Hasbro will be donating half of all profits from Zambi the Baby Elephant to children who have been orphaned as a result of the AIDS epidemic in Africa.