This robot can party
At the Tokyo Toy Show, Tiger Electronics and SEGA Toys wowed the crowds with the A.M.P. — Automated Music Personality (www.ampbot.com). This mobile robotic music companion is a state-of-the-art stereo sound system — with attitude.
Remote control operated and easy to use, just plug any MP3 player into A.M.P. and secure the player in the case located securely on his back. Then let A.M.P. show off some of his best dance moves — Dynamic Balancing Technology enables him to dance and roll balanced on two wheels. Make him dance, watch him roll — it’s up to you! Using the remote, you can easily manage all of his movements and cycle through his five different modes: Dance, Track, Drive, Park and Follow. To get the party started, switch the robot into Dance mode and he’ll show you how to get down. Whether it’s techno, hip hop or a rockin’ guitar jam from your MP3 player, A.M.P. will dance to the music utilizing his internal beat detection software.
A.M.P. stands 29 inches tall and features a sleek black and yellow modern exterior with stylized chrome detailing. The robot has five different modes and over 62 sound effects, numerous electrifying dance moves and 49 expressive LED light animations to connect you to your music in a new way. A.M.P. also lets the user take control and be the DJ as he turns into a virtual mixing deck. His distinctive touch pads serve as a way to layer different sound effects and scratches over your tunes. Use the left touch pad to add music effects and the right touch pad to control the audio. A.M.P. will retail for $500 starting in October.
Keep math skills fresh
When summer vacation kicks off it’s a lot of fun. Then boredom sets in. That’s the brain’s way of letting us know a challenge is needed. So bust boredom by enhancing math skills in a fun way over the summer with MathScore.com. Developed by MIT graduates, MathScore is proven to raise test scores and trusted by schools and individual families worldwide. MathScore is appropriate for first grade through Algebra I. The online program helps students become better at math by providing unlimited, adaptive math practice.
With MathScore.com learning and practicing new mathematical concepts feels more like a game than study. Teachers know significant improvement of math skills comes from practice. MathScore provides students with an unlimited quantity of unique math problems as they complete timed math worksheets, and earn animated trophies and rankings. MathScore works with any Internet connection and at $14.95 per month it’s an affordable option to offer students as a way to get a jump on next year’s academics, so they’ll really shine in class.
MP3 more than music
If you've got an iPod, MP3 player or mobile phone with MP3 capability then you should know that it can be used for more than just music storage and playback. AudibleKids (www.audiblekids.com), is a a first-of-its-kind destination where families can find and purchase digital children's audiobooks. The site has more than 4,000 titles from over 75 publishers, including 500 plus new-to-digital titles such as exclusive stories from R. L. Stine of "Goosebumps" fame, all playable on iPods and hundreds of audio players and mobile devices.
And don't imagine that it costs a lot to give this technology a try. AudibleKids in partnership with the organization Reading Is Fundamental, has a featured section on the website where excellent audiobooks can be downloaded free. There are nine audiobooks available. Just scroll down to the bottom of the website to see the "RIF" section and click on it to access the free titles. Those new to audiobooks will find a guide at the top of the website explaining exactly how to download and use the books. Site visitors can listen to samples from every title to determine if the audiobook is amusing before buying it. There are more than 70 other titles at AudibleKids that can be downloaded for just 99 US cents. So this summer it's possible for kids to have a lot of enjoyment that costs just a little.