Want to get a head start on shopping for this year’s hottest tech toys? Toy Insider Editor-in-Chief Jackie Breyer stopped by Cheddar to talk about some of the coolest tech toys at this year’s North American International Toy Fair that are sure to be on your shopping list this holiday season. For more on the items featured in this segment, check out the product notes below!
MERGE 6DOF BLASTER (MERGE VR)
- The Merge 6DoF (6 Degrees of Freedom) Blaster uses sophisticated positional tracking technology that allows users to maneuver around virtual worlds by moving, ducking, and jumping in the real world.
- The Blaster features four physical action buttons, building complex, interactive applications.
- No VR headset required!
- Age: 10+
- MSRP: Not yet determined, will likely be under $50
- Available: Late Summer 2018
K’NEX THRILL RIDES: ROLLER COASTER BUILDING SETS (K’NEX)
- Design it, Build it, Ride it! Ever innovating, K’NEX is excited to be the first construction toy company to bring a mobile virtual reality experience to builders!
- Bridging the gap between physical and digital play, Thrill Rides building sets will extend and enhance consumers’ interactions with their K’NEX sets.
- Once downloaded, the K’NEX Ride It! app will allow the child to “design it, build it, and ride it.” After creating the coaster in the physical world, the app allows the child to virtually build, ride, and share their roller coaster either in 2D or 3D VR.
- With the purchase of additional Thrill Rides sets, kids’ real life AND virtual building library grows! Sets can be combined and customized in countless ways.
- The K’NEX Ride It! app, which can be used with or without a VR viewer, will feature an interactive gallery that will allow builders to share their coasters with other fans who can then “ride” them!
- Age: 7-12
- MSRP: Sets range from $24.99-$79.99
- Available: Fall 2018
SEEMEEZ VIRTUAL FRIENDS (REDWOODVENTURES)
- SeeMeez are interactive hologram pals that fit in your pocket. SeeMeez Virtual Friends respond to your touch, you can feed them when they’re hungry, nurture them when they’re tired, and they surprise and delight you with incredible holographic antics!
- SeeMeez is the Interactive Hologram Experience that brings to life collectible, virtual pets, and enables you to create custom hologram messages you can share with your friends.
- Age:
- MSRP: $9.99
- Availability: July 2018
MARVEL AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR HERO VISION IRON MAN AR EXPERIENCE (HASBRO)
- Battle like Iron Man with the Hero Vision Iron Man AR Experience! This movie-inspired mask features a new experience from Hasbro that combines iconic role play with Augmented Reality (AR) technology.
- Download the Hero Vision app, place a compatible device inside the AR goggles, place AR markers around the play area, put on the AR mask, and then get ready to see digital images from the superhero’s world in front of your eyes.
- Includes AR mask, AR goggles, gauntlet, three AR markers, and one Infinity Stone.
- Age: 8+
- MSRP: $49.99
- Available: Spring 2018 at most major retailers and HasbroToyShop.com.
BOXER (SPIN MASTER)
- Boxer features a lively personality with dynamic moods that evolve over time. He offers tons of play right out of the box with his included game cards, ball accessory, and IR remote control, as well as interactivity through gesture, sound, and touch controls.
- The Boxer app will allow for extended play with additional games that can be unlocked the more you play as well as video tutorials that teach users how to interact with Boxer to his full potential.
- Includes; AI robot, 10 game activating feature cards, IR remote control, interactive ball accessory, USB charging cable.
- Age: 8+
- MSRP: $79.99
- Availability: Fall 2018
AIR HOGS SUPERNOVA (SPIN MASTER)
- Step into the future with the Air Hogs Supernova! Control Supernova with the power of your hands. Master more than 30 moves and nine Super Tricks, perfecting maneuvers that range from simple to complex.
- Equipped with an intelligent on-board system, it has five motion sensitive sensors and an interactive LED light core that responds and reacts to you. With a few waves of your hands, different combinations of gestures will let you perform amazing tricks.
- Age: 6+
- MSRP : $39.99
- Availability: Fall 2018
