Think Hard: Telekinetic Toys On Their Way

There was more to electronics show than TVs

(NEWSER) - This year's Consumer Electronics Show had the predictable high-tech TVs and other conventional items—but the 3,100 exhibitors also showed off some rather bizarre devices. A few highlights:

• Solowheel. An electric unicycle with no seat and footboards that allow riders to stand and lean in the direction they want to go. The 26-pound, $1,800 machine goes 10mph on its battery-powered motor, and has a 15- to 20-mile range.

MGA awarded damages, legal fees

(NEWSER) - The final bell has been rung in the long-running Mattel-MGA Entertainment court battle over Bratz—and Barbie's makers have taken a hell of a beating. A federal judge has ordered Mattel to pay MGA, the makers of Bratz dolls, a total of $310 million in punitive damages and lawyers fees, and rejected Mattel's request for a new trial, reports the Los Angeles Times. More»

Light shines through dark background, new owners complain

(NEWSER) - The iPad 2 is still brand spankin' new to the market, but glitch reports are already coming in: Apple's latest darling may have a “bleeding” problem, Gizmodo reports. Check out the video in the gallery: Light shines oddly from the side of the machine, cutting through an image that’s supposed to be all black. It’s not yet known whether this is a general problem or just an issue in a few machines—but with blogs like Engadget also reporting the story, Apple may be in for a headache. More»

Mattel unveils dolls based on the TV characters

(NEWSER) - Have you ever wanted to dress up Don Draper? Well, now you can. Mattel is rolling out a line of Mad Men Barbie dolls. They’ll be the first offering in the Barbie Fashion Model Collection, a high-priced line of figures aimed at adult collectors based on TV properties. Only 7,000-10,000 copies of each doll will be made, and they’ll have a suggested retail price of $75, reports the New York Times . More»

Upstarts move in while Mattel hits back

(NEWSER) - Barbie remains the best-selling doll in the world, but she's in a dogfight. Mattel is banking on a new iteration—complete with 12 movable joints—called “Fashionista Barbie” to combat incursions from the likes of Spin Master's “Liv” dolls, and MGA’s “Moxie Girlz.” The Wall Street Journal checks in on the toy wars and finds Mattel’s opponents to be cocky: “The Fashionista Barbies don't even come with a hairbrush,” says MGA’s founder. “Liv is a friend,” says Spin Master (whose toy has 14 movable joints). “Liv is now.” More»