Corpus Christi Caller Times Caller.com - With travel in mind, high-tech toys are quieter

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Tuesday, October 9, 2001
With travel in mind, high-tech toys are quieter
Play more advanced games or listen to music via satellite
By Federico Arellano
Scripps Howard News Service

Scripps Howard News Service

i-Cybie from Tiger Electronics is a biorhythmically engineered dog that is ideal for clean and quiet travel.

Just as actors need props, young children need toys. But that can be a hassle when a family is on the road or in the air. Luckily, toy companies like Tiger Electronics, Sony, Hasbro and Bandai have done their best to oblige.
   Cybie the dog
   Cybie ($199.99), a bio-rhythmically engineered dog, is ideal for clean and quiet travel environments; he does not pee or bark. Designed by Tiger Electronics, I-Cybie uses 16 separate motors to control hundreds of actions, with movable head, tail, legs and mouth.
   Underneath its soft skin this tiny dog has sensors that make I-Cybie look almost real as he cleverly avoids obstacles and prevents himself from walking off the edge of surfaces.
   The electronic dog has eight pre-programmed commands. He will sit down at your command. When you say "Good boy," he bounces his head up and down. For "Bad dog," he lifts his leg and pretends to pee. If you say his name he wags his tail.
   I-Cybie comes in silver and gold and responds to clap, voice or remote control commands.
   Electronic dinosaurs
   Bandai offers a line of electronic dinosaurs. The Deluxe Quantasaurus Rex Megazord ($79.99) is the line's flagship; it is the first cyber-dinosaur to utilize infrared technology. With the push of a button, the dino transforms into a Megazord, ready to fight. Dino-Chi T-Rex and Dino-Chi Pterodactyl (both $24.99) complete the set.
   Hand-held games
   Also affordable are traditional hand-held games, which are much more advanced this season; several have features that allow Internet access. Bandai, well known as the creator of the virtual pet Tamagotchi and the third-largest toy company in the world, is about to launch a nice, friendly electronic game called D-Power ($ 29.99).
   It features famous Digimon characters and is expected to do as well as other Digimon products.
   Kids can train and battle with their favorite Digimon warriors through 13 digital worlds. The game, which comes with a CD-ROM, can be updated and played through the Internet.
   Original music game
   As little ones play with their intelligent pets and games, older brothers and sisters can amuse themselves with an original music game. M.A.G.S. (Music Activated Game System, $19.99) is a rhythm-guided game that can be played with any music source. Recently released by Hasbro, the pattern of the game is generated by the bass, treble and mid-range sound levels of the music, making the pace vary widely depending on the rhythm of each new song. The object of the game is to react to the point bars generated by the music. It features two different games and three skill levels.
   Micro music system
   The HitClips Micro Music System (by Tiger Toys) is another option for taking a musical trip. Ranging from $7.99 to $14.99, this system comes in different models and allows you to enjoy, through postage-stamp sized chips, all your favorite songs.
   Satellite radio
   Whether you're traveling or at home, though, there's always a place for the traditional radio. Sony has recently unveiled the XM Satellite Radio Receiver DRN-XM01 (from $129), the first radio that offers up to 100 satellite broadcasts and digital quality music. This cutting-edge radio comes with a docking cradle, a small antenna and a remote control; it can be used in the car or at home.
   Useful E-Map
   Finally, for plan-ahead parents, GARMIN has a useful E-Map ($249.99) that displays information about North and South America, including state and country boundaries, lakes, rivers, streams, airports, cities, towns, coastlines and highways. It is the size of a small calculator and operates for 12 hours without battery recharge.
   It can also point to the nearest food services, lodging and gasoline stations. CD-ROMs, including WorldMap, U.S. Topo and MetroGuide U.S.A, are available with the product.

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