CNN reports that Mattel plans to introduce flat, foldable Hot Wheels cars called Stealth Rides at the upcoming Toy Fair in New York City. The credit card sized toy cars will pop up and become remote control vehicles when a button is pressed.
All five Stealth Rides fold flat and slide out of a plastic case that functions as both a carrying case and a remote control. With the push of a button, the "flat" cars transform into three-dimensional, fully functioning remote-control vehicles.
"Containing a fully functioning vehicle in a pocket-sized case will allow kids to play anywhere, anytime," said Geoff Walker, senior vice president with Mattel Brands. "The vehicles [provide] a unique and cool level of play experience that was not previously possible."
CNN says the The Hot Wheels Stealth Rides will arrive in stores in in August, 2010 and will cost about $25 each.
Best-Lock introduced a set of green and yellow interlocking building blocks made from renewable materials at the 2010 Nuremberg Toy Fair. Best-Lock says its blocks work with the plastic building blocks from Best-Lock, Mega-Bloks and Lego. Best-Lock also introduced a plastic container where the lid forms a base and the bottom can be used as a play table.
"We are doing our part to help the climate but still creating a fantasy play world," says Torsten Geller, CEO of the traditional company. "There is a global trend towards ecological toys and we intend to stay abreast of these changes and focus to an ever greater degree on plant-based materials. Even the packaging made of recycling paper reflects environmental friendliness thanks to its better carbon footprint."
Android is software created by Google that is used to power smartphones. Dvice reports that artist Andrew Bell of Dyzplastic has partnered with Google to turn Google's Android mascot into a line of vinyl figurines. There are twelve of the cute little robots. The first figurines will be sold on February 10th. They will be sold here and in select stores. You can see more photos of the Android mini collectibles here.
Mattel and the the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) are auctioning off Barbie dolls wearing little black dresses that have been designed by top fashion designers. The designers include Issac Mizrahi, Betsey Johnson, Rachel Roy, Justin Giunta, Lorraine Schwartz, Alex Bittar, Monica Botkier, Deborah Lloyd of Kate Spade, Tory Burch, Albertus Swanepoei, Philip Crangi and Devi Kroell. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the CFDA Foundation, Inc., a separate, not-for-profit company which was organized to raise funds for charitable initiatives and campaigns on behalf of the American fashion industry's designers.
The doll with the highest bid so far is the Lorraine Schwartz Barbie (pictured below), which has a high bid of $4,100. The Lorraine Schwartz Barbie contains real diamonds valued at $25,000. You can find all the designer Barbies here. The auction runs until February 7th.
Hasbro is launching a circular version of its Monopoly board game to celebrate the gamee's 75th anniversary. The game rule are expected to be similar to the original Monopoly game. Players travel around the board, which is circular instead of square. There is one big difference. Monopoly is going to replace Monopoly money with credit cards. The bank is replaced with a computerized console. The new Monopoly will arrive in stores later this year. Hasbro also offers several other Monopoly varieties - see here.
The Wall Street Journalreports that Barbie helped boost Mattel's fourth quarter profits by 86%. Barbie sales jumped 12% in 2009 compared to the year before. However, Mattel's overall sales only increased by 1% because the toy manufacturer did not do as well in other categories.
The largest U.S. toy maker reported a profit of $328.4 million, or 89 cents a share, up from $176.4 million, or 49 cents, a year earlier. The periods included tax benefits of 8 cents a share and 13 cents, respectively.
Despite a 12% increase in Barbie sales, its overall sales were lackluster, with revenue climbing 1% to $1.96 billion. Sales fell 2% in the U.S., where Mr. Eckert said Mattel lost "a little bit" of market share, mostly as a result of fewer toys tied to entertainment than last year.
Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters had most recently forecast earnings of 68 cents a share on $1.98 billion in revenue for the El Segundo, Calif., company.
Playmates Toys and Bravado are hoping Michael Jackson products will stay hot in 2010. They should with the recent release on Michael Jackson's This is It film on DVD and blu-ray. Playmates Toys has signed an agreement with Bravado to create a signature line of Michael Jackson figures and dolls. Playmates collection will replicate iconic images of star with Michael Jackson dance poses, music and embellished fashions. The toys will be released this year.
"Michael Jackson as a global icon leaves a legacy in music, dance and fashion that remain unrivaled," said Lou Novak, President of Playmates Toys. "We will honor his talent and his art expression by delivering a spectacular, highly detailed product line to inspire fans, collectors and new found enthusiasts."
The Rubik's Cube is being billed as an educational toy as its celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. The new You Can Do The Rubik's Cube initiative encourage youths from schools, camps and after-school programs to learn how to solve the cube while also learning about algebra and geometry. Details about the program can be found at youcandothecube.com. The site also includes information about competitions that some schools are already hosting.
Lisa Courtney is feature in the Guinness World Records 2010 Gamer's Edition for having for Biggest Pokemon Memorabilia Collection. Her collection includes 12,113 Pokemon items. That's a lot of Pokemons.
The Miami Herald is reporting that Merlin Entertainments Group is building a Legoland park in Central Florida. The shuttered Cypress Gardens theme park and botanical garden will undergo a makeover to become the new Legoland.
With up to 50 new rides, shows and attractions, it will be the biggest of five Legolands worldwide. The park is packaged to entice parents and kids 2 to 12 years old to spend a day immersed in a world that revolves around plastic Lego bricks, one of the world's most popular toys.
The plans include reopening the historic botanical garden that founders Dick and Julie Pope carved out of a cypress swamp in 1936 and fashioned into what was claimed to be Florida's first theme park. The once-famous water ski shows could return in the form of a Lego-themed stunt show, and the park will get its own studio with a full-time staff of Lego model artists. Cypress Gardens' leftover midway thrill rides and one or both of its wooden roller coasters will be sold.
The Legoland location in Carlsbad, California reportedly gets 2 million visitors a year. Legoland also has locations in Denmark, Germany and the UK.
Playthingssays the Legoland in Central Florida will be the second biggest Legoland in the world when it opens in 2011.
The six story Barbie Shanghai store has been named the Chain Store Age Retail Store of the Year. The huge Barbie flagship store contains a spa, a nail salon, a pink and black restaurant and a computer center where visitors can design a Barbie doll. You can read more about the store here and here. You can see the complete list of Chain Store Age winners here.
Wham-O, a toy and activity game manufactuer, has announced plans to bring 50% of Frisbee production to the United States. The company behind Slip 'N Slide and Hula Hoop, will begin domestic production of Frisbees at the end of this month through a partnership with Manufacturing Marvel America. Manufacturing Marvel America is a division of the international Manufacturing Marvel Group who specializes in plastic injection molding for toys and operates facilities in California and Michigan.
"Wham-O and its many iconic toy brands are part of American culture and have been entertaining American families for over six decades with good old-fashioned fun and play," said Kyle Aguilar, CEO of Wham-O. "We're proud to help stimulate the local job market by bringing more manufacturing jobs back to the U.S."
Parrot introduced its iPhone Drone at the Consumer Electronics Show. The remote control flying quadricopter contains two cameras and can be controlled by an iPhone. The website says the iPhone Drone can be used for augmented reality games but the demonstration at CES makes it look like it would be something the paparazzi might want to use to spy on celebrities. Take a look:
Enesco has announced plans to enter into a licensing relationship with Big Idea to develop and distribute products based on the VeggieTales characters. The VeggieTales characters Larry the Cucumber and Bob the Tomato are pictured above. VeggieTales products from Enesco are expected to be offered to retailers by the middle of 2010 and be available in stores by the fall.
Mattel has launched a line of WWE action figures and accessories. The line includes action figures and toys for both kids and collectors. The FlexForce Action Figures utilize flex-loaded arms and legs to execute maneuvers like WWE wrestlers. Other products designed specifically for kids will include Superstar Rings, Championship Belts, Ring Action Megaphone and motion-activated Tough Talkers that deliver WWE Superstar catch phrases and striking sounds.
Mattel's portfolio of action figures also features an Elite Collection designed with precise detail for collectors. This extensive line also comes packed with a collector stand and name card.
Basic figure single packs will be released every month, while two-packs and Elite figures will roll out every other month. Mattel's line of WWE products will also be available to purchase at live WWE events. Mattel has set up a Facebook page with more photos of its WWE toys.
The Wall Street Journal 
Playmates Toys and Bravado are hoping Michael Jackson products will stay hot in 2010. They should with the 
The Miami Herald is 
