‘Hot Wheels Track Builder’ is an AR den for your creations

Hot Wheels is best known for its extensive line of die-cast model cars, as well as some racing video games for younger kids. However, at this year's Toy Fair the brand is aiming to combine the best of both in its new Tango augmented reality game. Tra...

Hot Wheels AI is the love child of slot cars and Roomba

Model cars and track racing are the bread and butter of Hot Wheels, but they might look a little long in the tooth compared to flashy console games like Gran Turismo and Need for Speed. With the new Hot Wheels AI set, toy autos get a bit of a boost -...

Mattel goes all in on AR for 2013

Mattel goes all in on AR for 2013

At last year's Toy Fair, Mattel was all about Apptivity. The line of figures that interact with an iPad didn't exactly revolutionize the industry. But, the company isn't giving up on the concept. In 2013 it's evolving and moving from action figures that you drag across a screen, to much more interactive augmented reality concepts. Rather than simply slapping a capacitive pad on the bottom of a toy, this next-gen version focuses first on delivering a solid analog experience, then enhances it by actually using the considerable computing power made available by the iPad. To give the new series the best chance possible at succeeding, three of the biggest brands in the Mattel stable will be first to make the jump: Barbie, Disney and Hot Wheels. So what does 2013 hold for the venerable toy maker? Head on after the break to find out.

Filed under:

Comments

Griffin and Crayola intro contact-free Light Marker, drawing workstations

Griffin and Crayola intro contactfree Light Marker, more virtual crayon accessories

Griffin and Crayola are already best of friends through their ColorStudio HD collaboration for the iPad. They're deepening that relationship at CES with a handful of iPad accessories and apps based around the quintessential crayon. Heading up the pack, the Crayola Light Marker you see above upgrades the earlier input by letting kids draw in the air; they can splatter (thankfully virtual) paint and play other games without scribbling directly on the tablet's screen. A pair of cradles are joining the marker, including the Digital Activity Center portable lap desk (after the break) and the briefcase-like Color & Play Workstation. The software side is being rounded out with special Barbie and Hot Wheels versions of the ColorStudio HD app, each of which has drawings themed around the perennial favorite toys. Griffin expects the Light Marker, Digital Activity Center and Color & Play Workstation to reach young artists' hands in the spring for $30, $40 and $20 respectively; the specialized iPad apps should arrive later in January, each for $3.

Continue reading Griffin and Crayola intro contact-free Light Marker, drawing workstations

Filed under: , ,

Comments

Source: Griffin (1), (2), (3)

Mattel casts NASA Curiosity rover die with new Hot Wheels toy

Mattel casts die with NASA Curiosity rover Hot Wheels toy

After NASA's Curiousity attempts its tension-fraught landing on August 5th, you'll be able to get one yourself in the form of this Hot Wheels die-cast model. The 1:64 scale buggy will reproduce the gutsy rover's nuclear motor, drill, cameras and laser, while being a galaxy away from the $2.5 billion price tag, at a mere $1.09 or so. The real six-wheeled deal will need to hit all its marks perfectly when it attempts to land in a few days, with a complex sequence involving an atmospheric entry, parachute deployment, retro rocket firing and final crane-style drop. So, if you do end up with the toy version, hopefully it'll be a good souvenir of a Spirit-like success -- and not some other unmentionable Mars excursions.

Filed under: ,

Mattel casts NASA Curiosity rover die with new Hot Wheels toy originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 07:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceCollectSpace  | Email this | Comments