Girls Gone Gadget

Yesterday, when I wrote about the new Computer Engineer Barbie, I mentioned that there are some exciting new techy toys being debuted at the International Toy Fair in New York City this week.  Here are two from VTech that I am very excited to see hit store shelves this year:

FLiP

The FLiP is VTech’s new animated e-book reader for children.  From the pictures on VTech’s Facebook fan page, the screen resolution looks really good!  Bonus points for that alone! It also appears to already have “books” from some of your (ok, your kids) favorite characters.

(credit: VTech Toy’s Facebook page)

mobiGO

The mobiGO is a handheld finger-touch animated learning system, the first of it’s kind for VTech.  The screen appears to slide out and up to reveal a keyboard underneath and, like the FLiP, incorporates popular characters.

(credit: VTech Toy’s Facebook page)

Both, the FLiP and mobiGO, are said to be available this August but there is no word on price, yet.  I am excited for these two kids gadgets to hit the market because they look like good quality and fun devices.  I can’t wait to get more details about both of these and, hopefully, get a chance to try them out for myself!

For more pictures of these VTech gadgets and the other VTech toys debuting at the International Toy Fair, check out VTech Toy’s Facebook page.

This week one of the coolest events is going on in New York City — the 107th International Toy Fair — and I’m not there.  (Note to self: must go to this at some point in my life)  This four day event will feature more than 1,100 exhibitors from 20 countries, displaying an estimated 100,000+ unique products.  It goes without saying that we are certain to see some amazing new toys hit store shelves in the next few months!

While a lot of these new toys will incorporate some amazing technology, there is one that isn’t necessarily gadgety but is definitely gadget-noteworthy — BARBIE!

That’s right, Barbie has entered the world of tech and gadgets as she takes on her 126th career as a computer engineer!

The Computer Engineer Barbie joins a long line of Barbies in the “I Can Be” series after Mattel launched an online campaign last year where girls could vote for the newest Barbie career.  She will, of course, be decked out with a laptop, smartphone, and Bluetooth headset.  Computer Engineer Barbie is slated to hit store shelves this fall.

I think it is awesome that Computer Engineer has made it’s way onto Barbie’s resume.  I love that this profession is being introduced to young girls on such a huge scale!   I would love to see my girls playing with Computer Engineer Barbie and pretending to be such.  And that’s not completely out there since they already walk around the house pretending they are talking on their phones via their Bluetooth!

What I”m a little skeptical about is Barbie’s outfit and, honestly, I don’t know why.  At first I was appalled that Computer Engineer Barbie was shown wearing a crazy print shirt, hot pink glasses, hot pink shoes, and leggings.  Really, is that something a Computer Engineer would wear?  Well, maybe.  After I started thinking about it I realized that why couldn’t Computer Engineers wear that outfit?  Did I expect her to wear a suit or toss aside her natural “Barbie” style?

Regardless of her style, Barbie has gone tech and I think it’s awesome!