Toys Articles on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog

Toy Fair 2013: Ubooly is soft, squishy and smart thanks to the iPhone

by Megan Lavey-Heaton (Feb 11th, 2013)

Like Macworld/iWorld, Toy Fair 2013 is filled with products that began life as Kickstarter crowdfunding efforts; Ubooly is one of them. This combo of a plush bear and an iOS app received more than US$28,000 in funding on Kickstarter in April 2012. It later received $1.5 million in seed ...

ATOMS are iPhone-controlled, DIY toy kits

by Mike Wehner (Jan 8th, 2013)

If you're into do-it-yourself toys -- and really, who isn't? -- you're probably very happy that the recent Kickstarter for ATOMS was a resounding success. The tiny building tools can turn practically anything into a working gadget or toy, complete with iOS compatibility via Bluetooth. There ...

Toys using toy-sized Apple gadgets

by Steven Sande (Jul 16th, 2012)

So, what could be cuter than toy-sized Apple gadgets? How about other toys using those wee gizmos? Artist and Instagram user @santlov has created an amazing series of photos that highlight that meme. I won't spoil the fun by showing a gallery of the images here, but if you can't wait to see ...

Japanese robot pet powered by iPhone

by Mike Schramm (Mar 26th, 2012)

Robotic pets are kind of kid stuff here in the US, but they're a big deal over in Japan, and here's one that takes advantage of the iPhone's popularity. The Smartpet is a robotic dog that "borrows" the iPhone as head unit. The body is mechanical, of course, but the head uses the iPhone's ...

MakeGo turns your iPhone into a vehicle toy

by Mike Schramm (Feb 22nd, 2012)

MakeGo is quite an idea. It's an iPhone app, available for $1.99 right now, that turns the touchscreen of an iPhone (or iPod touch) into a vehicle-style toy, where you can play around and generate sounds for toys like a racecar, ice cream truck, or even a riverboat. But the genius of this one ...

Cut the Rope and Where's my Water getting toys, more content

by Mike Schramm (Feb 13th, 2012)

The New York Toy Fair is on this week, and so collectors and toy buyers alike are hearing about all sorts of new products. And given that the iPhone is one of the largest brands around, it's probably no surprise that iOS-based game properties are very popular this year. Disney's Where's My Water ...

Realistic Steve Jobs action figure now out of production

by Mel Martin (Jan 16th, 2012)

Don't get your hopes up about having that controversial Steve Jobs action figure adorning your desk or bookshelf. The Hong Kong businessman behind the product has decided to halt all production of the realistic Jobs doll. Tandy Cheung of In Icons Productions has announced that the product is no ...

Holiday Gift Guide: Accessories for all

by Mike Schramm (Nov 23rd, 2011)

Welcome to TUAW's 2011 Holiday Gift Guide! We're here to help you choose the best gifts this holiday season, and once you've received your gifts we'll tell you what apps and accessories we think are best for your new Apple gear. Stay tuned every weekday from now until the end of the year for ...

LEGO Life of George game combines iPhone and real LEGOs

by Kelly Hodgkins (Sep 29th, 2011)

It was only a matter of time before toy companies began to develop interactive toys that use the iPhone and iPad. Earlier this week, Disney unveiled Appmates, a series of physical toy cars that you can drive on the screen of the iPad. And today, Lego unveiled its new Life of George game that ...

USB missile launchers from Dream Cheeky now Mac compatible

by Dave Caolo (Aug 4th, 2011)

Let the office warfare begin. Tech toy manufacturer Dream Cheeky has released Mac software for its Storm O.I.C. and Thunder Missile Launchers. The "O.I.C." stands for "Over Internet Control." Now you can attack your cubicle competitors from six feet away or 6,000 miles. The Storm can be ...

Cut the Rope update, plush toys coming soon

by Mike Schramm (Jul 18th, 2011)

The video below highlights an upcoming update for the popular Cut the Rope title on iOS -- Chillingo is bringing 25 new levels to the title, complete with some new game mechanics and features. Cartoon creature Om Nom will be able to be fed various types of foods, not just the candy he so ...

WWDC Interview: Ten One Design

by Victor Agreda, Jr. (Jun 22nd, 2011)

We got a look at the Fling from Ten One Design at Macworld, and here we are to take a look at their smaller version for the iPhone. The Fling is designed to give you a thumbstick on your iPad, and we found it works better than all the rest (certainly better than the Joystick-IT from ThinkGeek). ...

PLAYMOBIL™ Apple Store Play Set: Ignite Apple fandom in your kids

by Steven Sande (Apr 1st, 2011)

Hey, your kids are probably going to spend a lot of time in Apple Stores in the future, so why not get them started early with the new PLAYMOBIL™ Apple Store Play Set? ThinkGeek (purveyor of fine April 1 products such as Lightsaber Popsicles and Angry Birds Pork Rinds) is proud to bring ...

Flying pigs, dancing daisies, robotic Barbies...and the iPod

by Erica Sadun (Feb 25th, 2007)

When you think of the iPod, Apple's carefully managed marketing campaign of hip with-it 20-somethings springs to mind. But there's another side to the cult of iPod, that's growing as a "cultural phenomenon". iPods inspire silliness according to this article from the New York Times. The iPod attracts ...