iDog

iDog
Type Robot dog
Company Sega Toys
Tiger Electronics
Country Japan[1]
Availability 2005–2009
Slogan Beggin' for the Beat[2]
Official website

The iDog is a robot dog toy designed and manufactured by Sega Toys. An iDog figure receives input from an external music source, such as an MP3 player, and will light up and "dance" to the music's rhythm.[3] It is marketed as the eDog in Germany, Italy and the Netherlands.

Basic iDog

The iDog reacts to music from an external source, such as an external speaker or through a direct connection to a music source such as an MP3 player. It features seven flashing LED lights on its face and has the ability to 'dance' to the beat of the music by intermittently wiggling its ears and shaking its head. It also has a number of switches on its nose, head and tail which allow it to react to user input. It has various emotions (which change based on user interaction) that provide different color patterns on its LED lights.

The iDog began shipping worldwide between March and April 2005.[4] The iDog comes in several colors including white, black, pink, red, lime green, blue, a tiger print, and a dalmatian print. Decorative clothing for the iDog has been released, including feet-warmers, ear-warmers and scarves.

Variations

Green McDonald's toy version of the iDog, purchased in Romania, July 2007

In 2005, Sega partnered with Atmos Tokyo to produce sports-themed iDogs as part of a new line, titled "iDog x Atmos".[5] In 2007, Tiger Electronics released the iDog Amp'd, an upgraded version of the iDog with stereo speakers that nod its head and tap its foot in time with the music being played.[6] The iDog Pup, a puppy version of the iDog with poseable ears and a moving head, was released in 2007. In 2008, three new versions of the iDog were released. The iDog Clip is a fully functional mini-sized iDog which can be clipped onto a backpack. The iDog Dance is a larger version of the iDog that stands up and dances in time to the music. In 2009, Sega released the stuffed iDog Soft Speaker and the iDog plush puppy, which did not require batteries.

As part of a promotion with McDonald's, sets of iDog-based toys were included in Happy Meals in 2007.[7]

Personalities

Different kinds of music cause iDog to develop different personalities, as displayed through the color of LED lights that flash and blink on its face.

iCat

The white version of the iCat from Burger King. Purchased in the United States in October 2008.

The iCat is a feline version of the iDog. Similar to the iDog, it reacts to music from an external source, such as an MP3 player. It features seven flashing LED lights on its face and has the ability to "dance" to the beat of the music. It also has switches on its tail, head (nose), and 6 touch sensors which allow it to react to user input. Like the iDog, its LED light color patterns display various "emotions" based on user interaction and the music played.

iFish

A piscine version of the iDog, the iFish plays music and moves in a swimming-like motion.[8] The iFish also has an internal selection of music. The iFish comes in white or black, with a 3.5 mm audio cable for audio input. Like the iDog, it is touch-sensitive.

iCy

Red Burger King toy version of the iCy purchased in Ohio, December 31, 2008

The iCy, marketed as the iPenguin in select countries,[9] is a penguin version of the iDog. In addition to playing music, it dances and the LED lights on its stomach flash in time to the music. Unlike its predecessors, it has only two touch sensors for user interaction: its tail, which is designed to annoy it rather than reward it, and its beak, which is used to pet it. It has various "emotions" which change based on user interaction and music played.

iTurtle

The iTurtle is a turtle version of the iDog. It also comes with a plug cable (3.5 mm) with 2 touch sensors on its tail and head. It moves its shell up and down, shakes its head side to side, and taps its foot. Has the same things as others except his moods are modified.

Viral marketing

In 2006, UK musician Jesta was inspired to write a song focusing on the product, titled "Me, My Music & My iDog."[10] That same year, as part of the Daily Source Code podcast, host Adam Curry spoke about the iDog.[11][12][13]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Sega Toys' iDog" (PDF). SegaToys.co.jp.
  2. ↑ "iDog Manual" (PDF). Drbacchus.com.
  3. ↑ "Sega's iDog - The Friendly Robot Puppy". LiveScience.com.
  4. ↑ "Sega iDog: Music bot and iPod speaker". Gizmag.com.
  5. ↑ "Sega Press Release, July 2005: iDog x Atmos" (PDF). Sega Toys.
  6. ↑ "NBC News - Kid Tech Takes Off". msnbc.com.
  7. ↑ "iDog on McDonalds.co.jp". McDonalds.co.jp. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011.
  8. ↑ "Sega iFish". Archived from the original on 9 February 2006.
  9. ↑ "Sega iPenguin/iCy". Sega Toys. Archived from the original on 29 July 2007.
  10. ↑ "Me, My Music & My iDog". Jesta.
  11. ↑ "Daily Source Code 324: iDog". Daily Source Code.
  12. ↑ "iDog Rocks to the Music". Robots Dreams.
  13. ↑ Frank Barnako. "iDog helps Podshow dig up sales". MarketWatch.
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