XBox Kinect

There was a time when Sony and Microsoft, Nintendo’s two main video game competitors, scoffed at the user interface of the Wii. Namely, the way the player’s movements control the action on the screen. They called it a gimmick. Let’s be polite and say times have changed. The Kinect for the XBox 360 promises to take this technology to the next level.

Just like the Nintendo Wii, the XBox Kinect uses a sensor bar to help detect where a player is, and what they are doing. However, the Wii still requires the use of a controller (either hand-held, or a foot board). The Kinect, on the other hand, gets rid of the controller all together. Instead, it uses several different proprietary sensors within the bar, including a camera and sound detection. Their is also facial recognition software to let the unit “see” who’s playing. Because there is no longer a controller, players interact with games by making various gestures or with voice commands.

The Kinect can be purchased as an add-on peripheral if you have the latest generation model XBox 360 that supports it. You can also buy a new XBox which comes bundled with the sensor bar. The choice is yours, of course, but it may be a smarter idea to get a whole new console to ensure there are no compatibility issues.

Any console is only as good as its games. While there are not a lot of titles for the Kinect yet, there are sure to be more to come. And, because it’s Microsoft, it should be interesting to see what games they come up with. As of now, a lot of the games do feel a bit like reworked Nintendo Wii games, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

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Being able to read books wherever you are is convenient way to enjoy your reading. However, it would be impractical to lug around all of you favorite books everywhere. The Amazon Kindle, and other ebook readers, solve that problem. The Kindle lets you store digital versions of your books and take them with you. The nice thing about having an ebook reader is that it is so portable. With the Kindle, you’ll be able to store about 3,500 books in a device that easily fits into the palm of your hand.

There are other advantages of reading on a Kindle. For one thing, there is no glare on the screen. This used to be an issue, but with its latest ebook reader, Amazon has solved this problem. You can take it to the beach and read it in full sunlight. The Amazon Kindle also has improved contrast and better fonts for easier reading of your ebooks.

The Kindle has built-in wireless as well. You will be able to download most titles in 60 seconds or less. Plus, there is no need to sign up for a wireless plan, as it is built in and ready to go. Speaking of titles, because it is made by Amazon, the largest online bookseller, you will have access to more title than anywhere else. As of now there are over 700,000 books available for download to your Kindle, and that doesn’t include the nearly 1.2 million that are in the public domain.

If you have been wonder what the perfect gift for the avid reader on your gift list is, wonder no more. The Amazon Kindle is sure to make them happy. And if you like to read, too, be sure to get one for yourself.

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Every year around the holidays, some new toys seem to get more attention than others. This year, one of those toys are Squinkies. So, just what are these things known as Squinkies anyway? That’s a good question. Here is what you should know about them.

Squinkies are small, cute and collectable toys. They are soft and squishable and come in many different varieties. The main way to get Squinkies are in what’s known as Bubble Packs. Each Squinkies Bubble Pack comes with 16 different Squinkies. Twelve of these are known, while four of them are surprises. This adds to both the collectability, as well as the fun factor. They’re called Bubble Packs because each of the Squinkies comes in its own bubble, much like what you would get out of a toy vending machine.

You can get Squinkies in the previously mentioned packs, as well as accessories and play sets. For example, there is the Squinkies Cupcake Surprise Bakeshop. It’s in the shape of a big, pretty cupcake, and has a play bakery inside. It comes with nine Squinkies related to the Bakeshop theme, can be opened up to play, and dispenses the Squinkies in bubbles, just like the machines you can find at stores. The Squinkies Cupcake Surprise Bakeshop can hold up to 15 bubbles at a time.

Squinkies are usually cute little animals or people, though there are other ones available. There are hundreds to collect. You can also get Squinkies as pencil toppers, bracelets, rings and other things. Whatever Squinkies you get for the special person on your gift list, they are sure to enjoy them for a long time to come.

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It seems that every holiday season has one toy that stands out and captures the collective imagination. From hula hoops to the Tickle Me Elmo doll, people have gone crazy for all kinds of toys. This year is no exception, as Sing-A-Ma-Jigs are flying off the shelves. So, just what is a Sing-A-Ma-Jig? In the simplest terms, they are stuffed animals that sing, but there is more to it than that.

Sing-A-Ma-Jigs come in different colors, each with a different voice. Simply press their left hand to switch between modes. They can chatter; this is where they say cute little phrases in their own language. Sometimes you can understand what they’re saying, other times you can’t, but they are always sure to put a smile on your face.

Press their belly and they start to sing. That may not sound like anything special, but they can also harmonize with one another! It doesn’t matter if you have two, three, four or more Sing-A-Ma-Jigs, they will each know their part. And if that isn’t enough, they also move their mouths move in synchronization to the sounds they’re making.

There is also a collectable element to Sing-A-Ma-Jigs because Fisher Price will be retiring different ones. For example, the red Sing-A-Ma-Jig has already been discontinued. And the more Sing-A-Ma-Jigs you have, the more harmonizing they can do. Imagine a whole chorus of fun, cute and lovable characters serenading you! You can buy them individually, or in a pack of four if you would like to have lots of fun and hear them start singing together right away.

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If you haven’t yet heard, there is a new craze sweeping the country, and it is known as Silly Bandz. These are small bands made of rubber (silicone to be more accurate). They come in different shapes and colors, and expand to be worn around the wrist as colorful bracelets.

There are all kinds of Silly Bandz available; including sports, animals, letters, dinosaurs and princess shapes to name but a few. There are also some trademarked bands you can get, such as Justin Bieber. And because they are made out of an elastic material, the go right back to their original shape after you take them off.

With so many different styles out there, Silly Bandz are just as much fun to collect and trade as they are to wear. You can wear all of the bands related to one theme, or you can mix and match them depending on your mood. Some people like to wear one or two Silly Bandz, while others like to wear a whole bunch. There is no right or wrong way to wear them, so feel free to express yourself in the way that best suits you. When people say Silly Bandz are flexible, they’re not just referring to how stretchy they are.

Silly Bandz are a lot of fun, but best of all, they are inexpensive. You can get them in various packs, with two dozen only costing a few dollars. However, you should be aware that there are many imitators out there, but only one carries the authentic Silly Bandz name.

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Kids love stuffed animals. Okay, some adults love them, too. My Pillow Pets are large stuffed animals that can be turned into a comfy pillow. That’s why My Pillow Pets are one of the hottest holiday gifts this year.

They come in many different varieties, so they can be collected as well. There is a My Pillow Pets unicorn, dolphin, whale, lion, bumblebee, dalmatian, triceratops and frog, and that is only a small sampling of the pets that are available. Each Pillow Pet has an opening that is enclosed with velcro. Open it up and it’s a pillow, or close it back up again and it goes back to its lovable animal shape.

Unfortunately, because they are so popular, there are unscrupulous manufacturers making counterfeit pillow pets, and trying to pass them off as the real thing. If you can, inspect the product and look for a tag sewn into the hind leg. The tag will be red text on a white tag, and will either say “Pillow Pets” or “My Pillow Pets“. While these knock-offs may be cheaper, they are also of inferior quality and not worth the savings in the long run.

That’s not a reflection on authentic My Pillow Pets, however. You can think of it as a nice, large, friendly stuffed animal that’s ready to be snuggled with that can also be converted to a pillow. The other good thing about them is that they are machine washable to take care of those inevitable spills. Whichever Pillow Pets you get for the people on your list, they are sure to enjoy them.

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Modern science tells us that Bigfoot doesn’t exist, but they’re wrong! To be fair, we are not talking about an eight-foot tall, living, breathing human-like animal. The Imaginext Bigfoot from Fisher Price proves the tall, hairy creature is indeed real.

This toy brings the Bigfoot legend to life, and in a fun way. The Imaginext Bigfoot has a remote control in the shape of a foot to move the big guy around. He can walk forwards and backwards, throw a ball, eat, talk, and display different emotions. Fisher Price makes the remote easy to use for even the youngest child (recommended for ages three to eight) as it as pictures on the buttons instead of words.

When you push the angry button, the Imaginext Bigfoot will roar, lift up his arms and shake his fists, but it’s all in good fun. Besides, the lovable guy can also act happy, have fun, sleep and exercise. There is also a plastic leaf that you can feed him. The sensors in his mouth will then cause him to chew, and even burp when he’s done; he even minds his manners and excuses himself.

The Imaginext Bigfoot from Fisher Price is made of solid plastic and has a tuft of fur on the top of his head. It comes with a 9.6v rechargeable battery for Bigfoot, and the remote control requires two AA batteries. While the legendary Bigfoot may be the stuff on nightmares, the Imaginext Bigfoot is a friendly guy who will endear himself to any child lucky enough to get one.

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Melissa and Doug is the name of a company named after its founders, Melissa and Doug Bernstein. They are noted for creating high-quality children’s toys and puzzles, most of which are made of wood. It is this attention to quality that has made Melissa and Doug products a favorite of both parents and children for the past several years.

One of their more fancy items is the Melissa & Doug Fold and Go Wooden Castle. At the same time, it is kept relatively simple, allowing children to fully exercise their imaginations while playing. The Fold and Go Wooden Castle is approximately 16.5 inches by 13.5 inches by 9 inches. It comes with the castle and a king and queen, one bed, two thrones, two knights, two horses and a treasure chest with a lid. Add to that the working drawbridge and dungeon area and it’s time for the imagination to run wild.

For those kids who like to play house or pretend they are chefs, Melissa and Doug offer several different toy food sets. The Cutting Food Box has 31 pieces, including food slices, and it also makes realistic cutting sounds. The Wooden Sandwich-Making Set has all the fixings you need to make sandwiches. There’s also the Deluxe Ice Cream Parlor Set, the Melissa and Doug Deluxe Ice Cream Parlor Set, and even a wooden sushi set; to name a few.

Their jigsaw puzzles are fun, colorful, and ideal for younger kids. Letters, vehicles, zoo animals, farm animals and shapes are just a few of the high-quality puzzles they offer. Melissa and Doug make toys that can be enjoyed by generations to come. While their toys are fresh, they also have a timeless quality that both children and parents love.

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If you have not yet heard of Bakugan, you should know that it is a game that involves tops that battle with one another. To add to the originality of the game, different Bakugan cards can be used during play to alter the outcome of each play. Different characters are rolled onto the game board, and do different things, dependent upon where they land. The Bakugan Dragonoid Colossus is one of the bigger characters made for Bakugan games.

The Bakugan Dragonoid Colossus is actually made of five smaller Bakugan Battle Brawlers that can be combined into the larger Dragonoid. Each smaller piece enters the field of play and is its own character. However, if all goes well, the Bakugan Dragonoid Colossus can become a huge character and a real threat during battle.

However, the Bakugan Dragonoid Colossus is more than just a few separate characters that can be made into a larger one. It also comes with fours ability cards and one gate card. Again, these cards each have an effect on the outcome of each play. Gate cards are placed on the board, according to the rules of the game, and the smaller Bakugan are rolled onto the board. If one lands on a gate card (which is magnetized) the Bakugan will open up and become ready to do battle.

Bakugan games are a lot of fun. They are exciting, and no two games are the same. They are a combination of luck and skill, and the Bakugan Dragonoid Colossus adds a whole new element to the game.

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What the heck is a Cuponk? On the surface it looks like nothing more than a cup and a ping pong ball, but there’s more to it than that. For one thing, a cup won’t light up and make noise when you make your shot and get the ball in the cup. To make play a bit easier for newer players, each version of Cuponk comes with some sort of themed backboard that can be attached as needed.

Cuponk comes with different cards, each of which suggests different tricks to do while trying your shot You can play alone, or with friends, and the game can be enjoyed by all ages (not recommended for younger children due to small parts). To add some more interest, the ping pong balls have different designs on them, and there are collector’s sets of balls available.

There are currently three different versions of Cuponk. First, there is the Cuponk Gorillanator with Ramp, which makes gorilla sounds when you make your shot. Then there is the Cuponk Let it R.I.P. with Backboard that makes zombie sounds and includes a ping pong ball that looks like an eyeball. After that it is the Cuponk El Campeon with Funnel which has a wrestling. Also, each version has trick shots that relate to the overall theme of the game.

Finally, there is no reason why you can’t make up your own tricks when playing Cuponk. So, go ahead and get Cuponk for somebody on your list (or for yourself) and watch as they have countless hours of fun.

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