Hasbro iDog
Shopping online for my guy's birthday present I was looking for something electronic, something gadgety, and something loveable. I was originally on the Amazon website looking for an old book for myself, when one of the adverts caught my eye - A funny looking gadget that ... Read review
Advantages: It's not a real dog! Disadvantages: Annoying sometimes - just like a Real dog!!
Hasbro iDog
Shopping online for my guy's birthday present I was looking for something electronic, something gadgety, and something loveable. I was originally on the Amazon website looking for an old book for myself, when one of the adverts caught my eye - A funny looking gadget that resembled a dog!
I clicked and read more. I am sorry to say but I am never a dog person at all but knowing how much my guy ... ...main Sega make and the Hasbro make such as the Sega ones have more personality choice.) Even though my iDog is made by Sega, it is the Hasbro edition in chrome.
# What does it look like?
Well, it looks a lot like a robot dog!
He's palm sized, sits on his hind legs, has a black hard plastic body and a chrome face with clear plastic ears.
Shopping online for my guy's birthday present I was looking for something electronic, something gadgety, and something loveable. I was originally on the Amazon website looking for an old book for myself, when one of the adverts caught my eye - A funny looking gadget that resembled a dog!
I clicked and read more. I am sorry to say but I am never a dog person at all but knowing how much my guy missed his mother's dogs, and how much he loves gadgets I thought this would be ideal.# What is it?
It is basically a comical gizmo that takes on the characteristics of a dog. The idea of the iDog is that its fed on music, and according to the instruction manual, it needs to be fed for at least 5 minutes every hour, however this is not necessary as it works when you switch it on anyway!
The gadget moves about and acts as a speaker for most musical devices.It runs on two AA batteries (not supplied). *grrr, the batteries ran out after 2 weeks of his constant barks and lights show!
Made in 2005 under Hasbro, It is produced by leading SEGA Toys Ltd. in China. (There are certain differences between the main Sega make and the Hasbro make such as the Sega ones have more personality choice.) Even though my iDog is made by Sega, it is the Hasbro edition in chrome.
# What does it look like?
Well, it looks a lot like a robot dog!
He's palm sized, sits on his hind legs, has a black hard plastic body and a chrome face with clear plastic ears.
His face consists of several different coloured dots that shine in a sequence to show you his mood. When he's not doing anything all the lights switch off. Also on his face there is a chrome button where his nose should be. The button can act as a welcome / on switch.
Under his neck is the reset button and two screws to fix him. On his chin there is a tiny mirophone hole, where he listens to some things.
On his back there is a small but effective speaker. Through this you can hear it's bark or song and even your own music.
He has four rubbery plastic paws underneath his legs that also serve as small grips for when he's on a shiny surface. Also another tiny screw for maintenance and this is where the batteries go in. (You have to pull his leg off!!)
A little white plastic tails pops out which also serves as an on-off switch when he's connected to a music player. When he's not playing music and he's just calm, don't touch his tail - He doesn't like it!!
It comes with a handy line out / headphone socket plug which plugs into a little hole by the side of left hind leg. This hole is cleverly hidden by a squidgy bit of plastic.
# What does it do?
His actions are limited I'm afraid but.....
It moves it's head sideways and the ears move about. It can bark and whine. It can sing a pre-recorded sound such as a beat noise. It can flash lights in order to tell you its mood. It can also be used as a speaker!
A great idea that comes with the gadget is the supplied lead that allows you to connect it to any music player that has a headphone socket. Also, the lead allows you to connect your own headphones and listen to your music while still connected to the dog, or alternatively listen to your music through the iDog's internal speaker.
As well as being able to plug him into a music device, he can free stand near a speaker and can pick up nearby sounds. His head moves and lights shine.
A funny thing I particularly like about his actions are his mood changes. If he's been plugged into a tv or music device you can press his nose and a song comes on. His face lights up and the lights are a different sequence for each mood:- "Funky / Dance Mood" - is a circular green dot action with a rythmic beat. "Rap Mood" - a criss-crossing yellow into blue sequence with a fast pace (almost like a phone's ringtone!) "Rock Mood" - a red sequence with harsh, fast beats.
It comes with an instruction booklet that shows it's light sequences, but I really can't get to grips with them!
# What's the point?
Well this little gadget is very handy for those who, like me, dislike dogs! The little robot is designed to be a computer companion and where children will get bored of it's limited actions, it is a nice gizmo to have at your workstation. He provides light entertainment and seeks attention just the same as a real dog, so its nice for someone lonely! The toy needs petting (by stroking or patting his head) and it will give you love back in the form of a song or a lights sequence.
It serves as a speaker for portable music devices such as iPod or Minidisc and because it is palm sized, it makes it a bit easier to carry around in a bag, and doesn't take up much space on any work surface.
I think it's function is merely an interactive worktop speaker with a fun novelty added on! # Where can I buy him?
On Amazon the BLACK one is available for £29.99 and on Firebox the WHITE / SILVER one for the same price.
www.firebox.com shows it's movements in action. (the white version don't seem to have hind legs!) www.Amazon.com to get the exclusive black version.
For the girlies, there's a fabulous PINK version available for £34.95 at www.mobilefun.co.uk. (There is also a cute BLUE one on this site!)
# Overall
I am very pleased with my purchase. My guy loves the little toy and keeps him close to his laptop.
No mess, no dog food, no vets bills, no slobber, and no smells!! Perfect! I am, just a teeny bit let down that his legs couldn't move to tunes or voice, but I suppose it's in the pipeline for next years design! I feel that there could have been more movement in the whole body rather than the head or ears. The lights don't mean anything to me and so I never understand what mood he's in. My partner seems to understand the lights sequence and knows that certain lines mean he is sick and needs music.
I can see that this product will apeal to the grown ups rather than children because the actions are very limited. (it even states in the instructions and on the website that it is suitable for over 8 years.)
The speaker sound is actually quite good and was impressed by the clarity of the music when a mini-disc was plugged into him. I love the idea that as well as comical head movement and ear waggling, he makes a rather good stereo gizmo!
This toy is ideal for my partner and looks after it when it whines or barks. I personally find it a little irritating as it just perks up every now and then!
For it's price it offers quite good features and is the maximum price I would pay for a robot anyway! It's so handy as it's small and it makes a nice friend for my partner while he types away on his laptop.
This gadget makes a great gift for pet owners who listen to or use a music device a lot. I am personally waiting for some sort of iCat though I'm afraid!! Enjoy your little sub "woofer"! Hope this helped!
(The handy instruction diagram I found was on www.blueunplugged.com) All the other pictures are of our own pet - who still doesn't have a name!
Advantages: Small, cute and innovative, cheap! Disadvantages: Can get annoying, my light sensor doesn't work, doesn't really do much
So this was a bit of an impulse novelty buy really. My sister has had one for a while and I thought it was quite cute, when I saw that Play.com were selling these off for £5 I thought I might aswell get one as I'd been looking at them for a while.
I must say that it is rather cute, I got the white one (not that I could choose anyway) and he sits next to my speakers on my PC and dances along. I don't understand what all the lights mean, apparently ... ...to his mood. He comes with a useful manual of the light sequences and what they mean, but it is difficult working them out.
He has a button on his nose for turning him off and on and for 'petting him', a microphone under his nose for listening to any music source, a tail for silencing him for a few minutes (although he does get angry) and a 3.5mm jack for connecting him straight up to an iPod or other mp3 player. The inbuilt speaker is quite good ...
Danny.B 18.05.2007
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