Rutherford the Message Bear
© 2009 Irwin Toy
When does a Teddy Bear become a phone accessory? When your voice comes out of it's belly, that's when. This $40 large, squishy plush toy doubles as a night light and phone accessory, with the ability to synch with a wireless USB transmitter that you plug into your Windows computer. After you download the software, you can set up a free account on the Irwin Toy server using the included phone number and code. Later, you can call the number -- say from an airport terminal -- and leave a message. An LED will flash when the message has been delivered, and your child can squeeze the bear's paw to hear the message. She might smile, or it just might scare her into next week -- who knows? Other features include the ability to download and read stories (left paw) or turn on a nightlight (the feet). Our Toy Fair demo was foiled by a loose wire in the prototype, so we couldn't see it work. Say's Irwin Toy President, George Irwin, "The mantra for our company has always been to take technology into tried and true toys. The teddy bear has been around for hundreds of years. All we're doing is trying to marry reasonably inexpensive technology with a delivery system that we know can work -- in this case a teddy bear -- and give kids a bigger 'wow'." We're not sure if it will work, but we can say for sure that this is one plush toy you won't want to send through the wash.
$40, Smart Toy
Teaches: langauge, stories