President of Griffin Technology, Mark Rowan says the new app, “is an natural progression from our first app, Crayola ColorStudio HD,” and the new Paint & Create app can even support ColorStudio’s iMarker with the press of a button.

The iPad Crayola Paint & Create app is currently available from the App Store. It is being offered at the introductory price of $2.99.

Hasbro's Ultimate FX Lightsaber

Overview

Hasbro’s Ultimate FX Lightsaber is well-designed for its targeted users. The hilt and “blade” of the Ultimate FX are smaller than other models, crafted specifically for young padawan learners and Jedis age six and up. The blades are available in either Jedi blue or Sith red, so no matter which side of the force you prefer, there’s a weapon so suit. The three AA batteries are included, and the lightsaber is reasonably priced around $29.99.

Ultimate FX Lightsaber Features

The price also includes a “Force Tech Training” DVD. Much like a video game, this DVD has an animated Jedi demonstrating moves and battle strategies that viewers can copy and practice. This is a nice extra with the lightsaber.

Force Tech Training Instructional DVD

Freed From Packaging and Ready for Play

Once it’s out of the box, the Ultimate FX Lightsaber provides the most authentic Jedi experience we’ve had to date. The lightsaber comes in “Try Me” mode, so you’ll need to flip the switch to “On” to experience the full list of exciting features.

Power Switch . . . I wonder what Yoda would say about the "Try Me" setting?

As you turn it on, LED lights progressively illuminate, giving it the look of a real lightsaber growing out of the handle. Of course, the lights are accompanied by the classic sound of powering up a lightsaber (very cool).

Ultimate FX Lightsaber Ready for Action

The sound and light effects are just as convincing when you power down. Add to that the clashing, clanging, and flashing lights when the blade hits something, and the effect is remarkably close to that seen in the movies.

I will admit that initially I was more than a bit disappointed that the blade doesn’t retract into the hilt. However, this was more than made up for by the cool effects. Frankly, I didn’t miss the retraction feature that so many other lightsabers have. Furthermore, the rigid blade seemed to be more durable than many of the telescoping options.

With regard to durability, while we don’t try to break the toys we review at KTR, we treat toys as they would be by the appropriate audience. And, I have to say, this lightsaber was put through the paces . . . ALL of them . . . repeatedly.  The result? You can’t even tell, and I’m talking about some epic back yard battles with nary a scratch on the weapon. So, there’s reason to believe that, short of dropping it in a lake or molten lava, the Ultimate FX Lightsaber can stand up to play.

Here’s an example of one battle between a telescoping lightsaber and the Ultimate FX. The difference is clear, visibly and audibly.

Another feature worth noting is the loop on the hilt, presumably provided so that you can hang the lightsaber from your belt.

Transport Loop or Wall Hanger . . . You Decide

Because of the size of the weapon and the fact that it doesn’t collapse, we found the loop to be ineffective for transport. However, it was great for storage. I mean, such an “elegant weapon” can double as wall art when it’s not required for defense, right? I think so. And, there’s at least 2000 years of tradition to back me up on this.

As for the training DVD, the only downside is finding enough space to imitate the moves while holding the lightsaber and not crashing into houseplants, stepping on animals, or falling through tables. However, with adequate space, the DVD was a lot of fun to “work through” while training to save the world from evil. And, several of the moves came in very handy during backyard battles (see above).

Tester Response

Around here, testers are king (or queen or princess or spy or Jedi), and their comments shape our reviews. So, here are the stats for the Ultimate FX Lightsaber:

See the Comments for Yourself

In a Nutshell

OK, so it’s not a real lightsaber, but until the technology exists which allows us to create a glowing sword made of energy and still safe for your average six-year-old, the Ultimate FX Lightsaber is a good stop-gap.

We give it:

5 out of 5 stars

• Night vision goggles
• Digital helmet/bike cam
• Pocket DVR
• 2.1 and 5.1 MP digital cameras that contain social networking software
• 2GB flash drive shaped like a mini Nerf blaster
• 2GB MP3 player
• Walkie talkies boasting a 1000 foot range
• Multi-function flashlight

Starting with Toys R Us, these items will be on store shelves in November and will retail between $19.99 and $59.99, depending on the item.

Mater Cruises Through a Virtual Radiator Springs on the iPad

Radiator Springs becomes an interactive and imaginative play zone as kids drive Cars 2 characters around town, taking part in races, completing missions, and collecting hubcaps (the game’s virtual currency). Kids can drive the characters anywhere in the virtual world, splash through mud puddles, go up ramps, visit friends at Flo’s V8 Cafe, and even knock other cars off the road. The virtual world responds with sound, music, and a changing landscape, depending on where you drive.

Kids can trick out their cars with unique horns, green exhaust, special tires, etc. by trading in their hubcaps. They can also buy missiles or machine guns and other virtual gadgets at no cost, just hubcaps. In fact, currently, once you have the Appmate cars, there is no additional cost to explore the entire world of Radiator Springs.

Finn McMissile Fires a Virtual Missile in the App

Enabling this interaction is a unique touch footprint on the bottom of each car that the iPad recognizes. The touchscreen can tell which character you are using (Lightening McQueen, Tow Mater, Finn McMissile, or Holley Shiftwell) and will narrate play with the character’s voice. And, conveniently, no cable or wireless connection is required for the app to respond.

The Radiator Springs app is a free download for both iPad and iPad2, and Appmates cars will be sold in packs of two for $20 at Disney Store retailers and online. In addition to the four characters available now, Francesco Bernoulli and Shu Todoroki will launch in November.

According to Margie Chan-Yip, Hasbro VP of Global Publishing, “The ‘My Little Pony: Twilight Sparkle, Teacher for a Day’ storybook application brings the beloved My Little Pony brand and characters to fans in a whole new way. We are thrilled to offer an interactive experience that engages and entertains, yet also helps young readers develop important skills.”

Hasbro and Ruckus Media interactive storybooks are available for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch through iTunes. Cooler still: “My Little Pony: Twilight Sparkle, Teacher for a Day” will set you back only $0.99, for a limited time. (Other books in the series retail for $3.99.)

Games include twisting your body to match an opponent’s silhouette, knocking over blocks to beat the clock and filling in crazy shapes.

This new twist on an old favorite looks like it is going to be fun!

Prices have not been released, yet, but most other Kinect games retail between $25 and $50.

Targeted to young and early readers, the app includes an original story that’s over 70 “pages” long and is accompanied by activities that enhance the adventure and encourage basic problem solving. The children are helped along as words light up, reinforcing comprehension, word and letter recognition, and picture/word association. One of the coolest features is randomized activity content which provide different experiences each time the child plays the app.

Hasbro and Ruckus Media hope that families on the go will enjoy this educational and entertaining app, and they are already planning the release of new stories featuring My Little Pony and Transformers Prime.

Designed and built for mobile devices, these content-rich apps will incorporate the latest touch-screen technology and will be easy to update with new features as they become available. Additionally, the apps will be designed to work across all digital platforms, and will be available worldwide. So, say you’re stuck in an airport in Dublin, awaiting a flight that has been delayed for the fifth time and your 6-year-old is screaming and you’re pulling your hair out . . . but I digress. The apps will also be available if you’re stuck in a doctor’s office or in a grocery store check-out line.

First on deck is Tonka’s Chuck and Friends, due out in May 2011. Next in line are Transformers Prime and My Little Pony.

“We look forward to teaming with Ruckus to jointly create innovative, content-rich children’s storybook apps based on some of our most popular properties, kids and parents can enjoy Hasbro-branded children’s storybook apps anytime, anywhere,” said Simon Waters, Senior Vice President of Global Brand Licensing and Publishing at Hasbro in the April 7, 2011 press release.

Here at KidsTechReview, we’re just looking forward to less painful visits to the DMV and Pharmacy.

Easter Sing-a-ma-jigs Character

Ready for spring, the new friend sports a festive pastel shirt and sings, ”Here Comes Peter Cottontail” when you squeeze its belly. This new plush will harmonize perfectly with any other Sing-a-ma-jigs friends as well (http://www.kidstechreview.com/2010/09/review-sing-a-ma-jigs), adding some sugar-free fun to Easter celebrations.

The Easter Sing-a-ma-jigs retail for around $13 and are available at Toys”R”Us, Target, Walmart, Amazon.com and Kmart.

The Topzy Tumblers Twirlin' Tumblin' Fun Park

When we saw it at Toy Fair, we thought the “magic staircase” was pretty cool, popping the figures up one step at a time until they reached the top, rolled down the ramp, and started up the staircase again.

Retailing for $39.99 and available in August 2011, the Topzy Tumblers Twirlin’ Tumblin’ Fun Park is appropriate for children 6-36 months old. While it requires three C batteries to operate, Fisher Price has included those so the fun can start immediately!