Tech toys rising - report from the International Toy Fair 2012, Nuremberg
03 April 2012 18:23
|Music makers from Supersonics Electronics.|
Traditional toys and games may have their place, but i-toys are clearly on the advance. Digitalisation and interactive apps dominated the scene at the International Toy Fair in Nuremberg.
Hong Kong's Silverlit came up with its Blue Tech Heli (retailing at US$69.9). It's capable of flying in all possible vertical and horizontal positions and can be controlled by smartphone, tablet computer or music player. The user has to download the app and then the heli can lift off.
The technology has become so mature, even children aged five or six can use it, said Silverlit CEO, Kevin Choi. The company introduced Bluetooth technology in September 2011. In the US, Silverlit had a sell out after Christmas.
Another new item from Silverlit was a racing circuit called 3D X-trek, which retails at between Euros40 and Euros80, depending on the size of the layout. In July, Silverlit plans to introduce an aircraft with a built-in, real-time camera at about Euros129.9 retail.
from special correspondent Joachim Hoffmann, Nuremberg