Vtech’s Kidizoom Plus is an improved version of the popular real working digital camera. It now takes higher quality pictures and has an increased internal memory of 256 Mb.
For ages 3 years and older • 4 x AA batteries required (non long-life batteries included for demonstration)
£49.99 from Amazon 
From $64.99 from Amazon
The 2.0 mega pixel camera has a x2 digital zoom. It can take video clips, has 5 different games to play and will enable the editing and enhancement of photos with fun effects, stamps and borders.
A cable is included to connect Kidizoom Plus to a TV for viewing photographs and video clips. A USB cable and CD-ROM disc is also provided for use with a computer.
Others features include: dual viewfinders, colour screen, built-in flash, SD card slot and changeable face plates for personalisation. Instant dial selector makes selecting functions easier and quicker.
Kidizoom Plus Digital Camera
By Vtech
For ages 3 years and older • 4 x AA batteries required (non long-life batteries included for demonstration)
£49.99 from Amazon From $64.99 from Amazon
Vtech Kidizoom Plus Digital Camera
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15% OFF – Only for a limited time. |
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All prices correct at the time of publishing. Please check retailer for latest prices, availability and delivery information.
Features & Contents
- 2.0 megapixel resolution digital camera
- 2x digital zoom
- Dual viewfinder and flash
- 4cm colour LCD screen
- Instant dial selector that makes choosing functions easier and quicker
- Ultra tough
- Use the creative workshop to edit photos
- Link up to the TV or computer to view and edit photos or watch videos
- In-built games can be played on te built-in screen or via a TV
- 256 MB memory
- Carry strap
- CD-Rom
- USB cable to link to PC or Mac computer
- Cable included to link to television
Product Details & Specifications
Product name: Kidizoom Plus Digital Camera
Recommended age: for 3 years and older
Minimum age: 3 years due to small parts and long cord
Battery requirements: 4 x AA batteries required (non long-life batteries included for demonstration)
Safety considerations: CD-ROM and cables are not toys
Assembly requirements:
Manufacturer/Supplier: VTech
Manufacturer/Supplier no.: Blue 80-107033; Pink 80-107063
Barcode (UPC/EAN): Blue 3417761070338; Pink 341761070635
Product dimensions: Height: 8.5cm Width: 13.5cm Depth: 6.1cm
Product weight: 360g
Packaging dimensions:
Packaged item weight: 540g
Country of origin: China
A young child’s bedroom is by far the best room to decorate. As I look around my living room of neutral colours, with only occasional suggestions of real colour, I have to conclude that this room has not been decorated. No, it has merely been adorned and only slightly. How did we ever arrive at today’s notion of home decor?
Most people’s design sensibilities will stop short of using every colour of the rainbow when painting even a child’s room. However, Rainbow in My Room will project a majestic arc of light that replicates that natural phenomenon that captures everyone’s gaze whenever and wherever it occurs.
Using a set of LED lights and a mirror coated surface to project the display onto a wall, Rainbow in My Room has two modes of display. One mode displays one colour of the rainbow at a time in turn. While the other mode displays all the colours at once.
The device is best used in a darkened room against a white wall. To save battery life the Rainbow in My Room automatically switches off. Pot of gold not included.
Rainbow in My Room
Suitable for ages 5 years and older | 4 x AAA batteries required (not included)
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Electronic learning toy manufacturer, LeapFrog, are set to launch a new device in August 2009 modelled on BlackBerry style mobile phones.Text & Learn has been designed for children aged three years and older and its built in activities will teach spelling, reading and familiarity with a keyboard layout.
Going on sale for an expected £19.99, it won’t connect to the internet but will try to give children an “off-line” experience of web browsing. Children will be able to ‘text’ the on-screen character; a puppy called Scout.
Despite its colourful looks and fun games, I suspect it is too high an expectation for Text & Learn to stop one’s real BlackBerry getting a coating jam (not necessarily blackberry) from ones’ children every now and again.
A spokesperson for LeapFrog said: “We would love to talk to BlackBerry about a tie-up.”
The Camarasaurus may have become extinct over 145 million years ago but there’s no need for such a fact to deny you the joy of raising newly “hatched” dinosaur.
Pleo is a highly interactive electronic pet dinosaur that will begin to develop his own personality, moods and habits based on how much time you spend with him and how you nurture him.
Pleo has four different moods: happy and curious; playful and lively; scared and suprised and sad and vexed.
There are sensors on his chin, legs, back, shoulders and head. There’s also ground sensors and a tilt and shake sensor. Two microphones make Pleo hear in stereo and speakers are a the front and rear for the excretion his noises. A built-in colour camera also features.
Pleo explores his environment without having to controlled by a remote. He sniffs around, walks and blinks among other things in a very realistic manner.
Inside the box together with the baby dinosaur you’ll find a guide book, training leaf, an identity card, a rechargeable battery and a mains charger.
Available from: I Want One of Those
Pleo
For children 8 years and older | Rechargeable battery required (included)
Spykee is a high-tech creation from Meccano. As you’d expect with Meccano this robot is in kit form for you to assemble yourself. This means you can choose from three different looks for your Spykee and its compatible with other Meccano parts, so imagination (along with extra Meccano) will allow you to take thing further.
Movement of Spykee is controlled wirelessly from your PC using a WiFi connection. You can turn it into a spy vehicle and move it around the house, to picture or listen-in on people.
Spykee can speak on your behalf using its onboard loudspeaker, which can also play MP3 music files.
Using the internet Spykee works together with Skype so using the inbuilt microphone you can chat to friends across the world. Spykee also acts as a webcam, allowing you to record and send photographs to your friends.
Spykee can be set up like an advanced room guard. So that, if it detects unexpected movement, it will sound an alarm on your computer and email a picture of its sightings.
When the batteries are running low, it will automatically take itself back to its docking station to recharge.
You’ve probably already deduced that a computer is required. Fortunately there’s software for Apple Mac computers as well as Windows PCs. I fear, 2008 really will be like 1984.
Available from: I Want One of Those
Spykee | by Meccano
Suitable for ages 14 years and older | Wi-Fi enabled, Windows of Mac computer required
Catcha Beast in its packaging
Once the batteries are installed there is some further set-up to do. The date and time needs to be entered, which is important as some beasts can only be caught at certain times. Then the device needs to be calibrated so that it recognises the direction it is being pointed in. This vital stage is the first but by no means the last time the player will need to spin 360 degrees.
Catcha' Beast closed
When ready to catch a monster: the player slides up the screen and unfolds the reel handle, with the screen held out in front of the player, they start rotating. An on-screen indicator tells when a beast is close and when to throw out some line to try and hook the beast. When hooked the player gets an opportunity to use a weapon but when first played there are no weapons available, so it will escape. The prey needs to be chased, gradually wearing it down until it is caught earning treasure points and gold. Naturally even a tired beast will resist the threat of its liberty being taken away, so the player must be ready to dodge by spinning, if it fires. Beasts can also be lured by using meat, fish, bones or even jewellery.
Once the first beast is caught, stronger beasts can be hunted by using a weapon or teaming-up with a caught beast as a partner. Captured beasts can be fed to improve them. They can also be exchanged for gold or weapons. The performance of the rod can be customised with earned treasure points. For example, the power of the reel can be improved.
A great part of Catcha’ Beast’s appeal is the ability to connect 2 devices together and battle or trade with friends. The battling game involves trying to capture one of your opponents beasts to add it to the collection and if successful, as well as a gain for the winner, the loser still keeps their beast, keeping play fair and friendly. When it comes to trading, players will be able to swap versions of the various things used to lure beasts; the are red and blue versions of each lure.
Catcha' Beast open
There’s so much more to this game that I will be playing it for some time to come. I have to admit that catching beasts is going to one of the many things I’m rather poor at; I’ve been getting dizzy all to easily. Those determined to make a beast catching name for themselves will find using the 2 player mode essential as well as mastering the various methods of capture, trading and other intricacies of the game.
Catcha’ Beast | Bandai
For ages 6 years and older | 2 x AA batteries required (not included)
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The familiar egg-shaped device lets you play 4 new mini games, has new dating & shopping functions, gives you codes & passwords for playing online with other Tamagotchi fans and includes a little mascot hanging from the keychain.
Tamagotchi: Familitchi - The family
Tamagotchi: Familitchi - The family
Your characters can appear on your friends Tamagotchi via built-in infra-red. Where they can play, give gifts and form friendships. A Friends List of 45 characters can be kept and if you find a special friend, then Tamababies can be born.
Tamagotchi: Familitchi - The screen close-up
Tamagotchi: Familitchi - Dinner time at the Tamagotchi household
The online Tamagotchi Town allows your characters to travel to foreign destinations, visit their parents and even go to see the Tamagotchi King. You’ll need either a PC or Mac computer set-up for internet use to visit Tamagotchi Town.
All the cleaning and feeding found in previous versions continue to be essential and depending on how you raise the family it can become one of 7 different family types.
The Designs
There are currently (February 2008) 6 designs available in most toy shops:
- House (blue & white)
- Lime Heart (lime green & yellow)
- Midnight Blue (dark blue & red)
- Red Home (red)
- Love! My Family (pink & blue)
- Shinobi Black
However, there is also another design that is exclusive to Argos:
- Pink Glitter
This time Barbie has a fashionable illustrated look with a large cartoon head. Her look can be changed and there is a special website which enables customisation, music, chatting and more. The device has 512 Mb memory and requires a PC.
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