ITN's Dominic Reynolds went to Hamleys in London to play with this year's crop of interactive toys. The toys he plays with include a robotic dog that offers its paw and Elmo Live. He looks like he is having fun aside from the baby that wets himself. Take a look:
Elmo Live pre-orders have begun at Amazon.com, eToys.com, toysrus.com and other toy retailers. Elmo Live made its debut at the New York Toy Fair in February. It is a much improved version of the automated Elmo toy that can play games, sing songs and tell jokes. The toy could very well be this year's hottest toy so the pre-orders give early shoppers a chance to buy it well ahead of its October 14th release date. Elmo Live will retail for approximately $59.99.
Fisher-Price, Inc. is comparing the buzz behind Elmo Live to the two big Elmo seasons of the past: Tickle Me Elmo in 1996 and TMX Elmo in 2006. Hopefully, we won't end up with a shortage and people over-paying for the toy from third-party retailers but that's always a strong possibility with a hot holiday item. Toy retailers are said to be planning major events to support the toy's launch on October 14th.
"We would like to see that everyone who wants an Elmo Live will be able to get one," says Neil Friedman, president of Mattel Brands. "This pre-order opportunity offers the best chance to those who order now that they will have Elmo Live on October 14th when it goes on sale in stores nationwide."
Chris Byrne, aka The Toy Guy, calls Elmo Live an industry changing toy. "Elmo Live delivers a rich play experience that is engaging and interactive. It's as close to being with Elmo in the fur as any toy has ever been," he says. "We anticipate that this will be sold out very early in the season, so taking advantage of this pre-sale opportunity will be a key strategy for anyone who wants to score one of these toys."
Here's a video clip of Elmo Live from the February Toy Fair.
Elmo Live debuted at the Toy Fair in New York yesterday. Mattel says Elmo Live "elevates feature plush to a new dimension of realistic, interactive play that makes you laugh, of course, but also does so much more." Based on the video it looks like Mattel delivers on their claim. Elmo Live is starting to look more like the actual muppet on television. He waves his arms around, sings songs, tells stores and plays games. When Elmo Live tells a joke about how he "just flew in from Sesame Street yesterday and boy are Elmo's arms tired" he also waves his arms around like he is flying. Elmo Live will be released in mid-October of this year - just in time to send parents in a desperate panic to get one for a holiday gift.
Elmo Live pre-orders have begun at 
