Entertainment

Scent Scape Adds Smellovision To The World Of Entertainment

by Doug Bonderud

From the ScentSciences corporation comes a new dimension in multimedia and gaming experiences: smell. Thanks to the Scent Scape you can get ready to breathe deeply and add your nostrils to the list of things engaged during your viewing experience.

3 comments

Death Star Planetarium Lights Up The Night Ceiling

by The Toymaster

Star Wars has always been a haven for both science and pseudo-science junkies of all ages, and the Death Star Planetarium kit tries to appeal to both sides.

'Beer Hour' Portable Personal Beer Dispenser Gives You Head

by Steve Levenstein

The “Beer Hour” beer dispenser from Takara Tomy helps wannabe bartenders pour a perfect, foamy-headed glass of beer every time from any beer can.

Tasty Science - Edible Education For Budding Scientists

by The Toymaster

Science kits are a dime a dozen, but Tasty Science stands tongue and buds above the rest – help kids learn about science, then eat an experiment or two. Yum!

2 comments

Go-Pod Makes Baby Activity Centers Portable And Storable

by Kim Patterson

It would be so nice to be able to set up the baby activity center in whatever area of the house you are in and then quickly move it elsewhere if you need a hands-free moment in another room. The Go-Pod gives parents this freedom with a portable version of the traditional baby activity center.

Spy Video TRAKR Lets Kids Slip Remotely Into View

by The Toymaster

Spy gadgets are always a hit with kids, but finding ones that are more form than flash can be difficult. Fortunately, there’s the Spy Video TRAKR from Wild Planet – perfect for getting the goods on anyone in the house.

1 comment

Quantum Big Screen Microscope Brings Great Fun To Small Things

by The Toymaster

The Quantum Big Screen Microscope from Learning Resources helps kids enjoy the craziness of tiny nature while also learning a great deal in the process.

Electrofoxy Zip Jacket Turns The Volume Up To "Sexy"

Electricfoxy Zip Integrated Volume Jacket

by Doug Bonderud

Fashion and technology design firm Electrofoxy has created a new level of portable music integration with their Zip concept design jacket.

29 comments

2011's Social Media Super Bowl Puts Twitter & Facebook In The Driver's Seat

Mercedes-Benz Tweet-Fueled Race for the 2011 Super Bowl

by Ron Callari

This year with over 100 million viewers predicted to watch the Super Bowl and commercials costing $3 million a spot, brands are looking to rope in even more eyeballs by promoting their wares on Twitter and Facebook. And this year, Mercedes-Benz is upping the ante by actually awarding 2 of their new 2012 C-Class Coupes to contest contestants they consider the most savvy social networkers.

1 comment

Crayola 3D Chalk Brings Sidewalk Drawings To Life

by Kim Patterson

Toys have become pretty high tech in recent years, but there are some kids items that I wouldn’t have imagined could be taken to another level. Apparently I was wrong. Even the basic toys are not so basic anymore. Crayola has come out with 3D Sidewalk Chalk for kids to create more realistic sidewalk drawings.

3 comments

Oblo Puzzle Sphere Takes Thinking To The Third Dimension

by The Toymaster

The Oblo Puzzle Sphere is a three-dimensional way to teach kids about hand-eye coordination, motor skills and an appreciation for this crazy multi-dimensional world we live in.

2 comments

Social Media Takes Time Off For A Qwiki!

by Ron Callari

When you win top honors at TechCrunch Disrupt- an event that introduces new innovative Internet companies to the world - you know you are on a trajectory for success. It's an arena that attracts developers and venture capitalists, the likes of Peter Thiel, one of Facebook's first major investors. It was there the world first got to become intimately involved with a digital Qwiki.

Orbeez Color Changing Lamp Lets Kids Glow And Grow

by The Toymaster

From the makers of Orbeez, creators of the grow-able, eco-friendly pellet system comes the color-changing Orbeez Mood Light.

HDR Video System Banishes The Darkness

HDR - changing how we look at the world.

by Doug Bonderud

High Dynamic Range(HDR) static imagery has been around for a while, but now University of Warwickresearchers have developed the first HDR video to capture the “real world”.

1 comment

Hotel Guests Check In To Social Media Services For Recommendations & Meet-Ups

by Ron Callari

Over time, hotels have learned to embrace social media by assigning staff or hiring agencies to manage both the tactical and strategical aspects of an effective campaign. In the "Top Ten Hotel Brands A Tweet Above The Rest," I noted some of the best 'social media' hotel chains' campaigns. But in addition, hoteliers are also utilizing some of the new social media services popping up online and on mobile apps that connect guests and hotels in some unique ways prior to arrival and during their stays.

1 comment

Social Media Stock Markets Don't Need No Stinkin' IPOs

by Ron Callari

While rumors abound as to which social network will jump onto the IPO band wagon first - and with the dot-com bubble of the 90s still fresh in our memory - there appears to be an alternate route for Mom & Pop investors to invest in social media and start trading NOW, before any bell sounds on Wall Street. IPOs? We don't need no stinkin' IPOs!

1 comment

Biotic Video Games Bring Life To The Small Screen

by Doug Bonderud

At Standford University, Assistant Professor Ingmar Riedel-Kruse and his team are developing ways to take real micro-organisms and make them part of video games.

Glow In The Dark Hexbug Nanos Scurry Onto The Toy Scene

Hexbug Nanos - now with glow in the dark action!

by The Toymaster

From toy oddities retailer Brookstone comes a new line of their popular Hexbug Nanos – and these ones glow in the dark.

1 comment

DEFROSTY Keeps Your Winter Buddy Around For Some Warm Weather Fun

by Kim Patterson

Remember that adorable snowman that you and the kids built out back? He looked so charming and festive during the holidays, but as the next few weeks roll by he is sure to start sweating the onset of warmer temperatures. DEFROSTY – Melty the Snowman by Fred and Friends puts your winter buddy's leftover components to good use.

Simple Fun - The Shape, Model And Mold Makes It Right

Melissa and Doug Shape, Model and Mold Playset

by The Toymaster

From high-quality toy-makers Melissa and Doug comes the Shape, Model and Mold - a hands-on way for kids to learn about shapes and create just about anything they want.