Hello Barbie!

Hello Barbie is the new wifi capable, interactive doll that every little girl has been dreaming of. Mattel partnered with ToyTalk in order to produce this two way conversation barbie. The days of little girls voicing their pretend conversations with barbie is over. Hello Barbie is equipped with a microphone, video and audio recorder, speaker, rechargeable battery, and led necklace. All the child needs to do is press and hold down her belt buckle, ask a question, and the recorder is activated. Once the belt buckle is released she replies with the appropriate phrases and questions. The more your child plays with Hello Barbie, she will learn more and become accustomed to your child's personality. They have the option of playing with the internet connected Hello Barbie where she will converse with your child or the traditional way where children can use their imagination and she does not say anything. 

In regards to the privacy agreement between the parents and ToyTalk, the company will use whatever data is recorded onto their server to improve Hello Barbie's software. Parents will have access to transcripts of their child's recordings and authority over releasing any material to any third party via their parent account. However the privacy agreement can be altered. 

Barbie has been around for the last fifty-nine years. Finally, there is a voice active prototype for children. Mattel has not changed any of Barbie's physical traits, but merely updated her wardrobe. The product design in general has stayed the same for the last ten years. With her new voice command capabilities Mattel has not added any robotics to Hello Barbie that would accompany her new features. But that might take a few more prototypes. It seems to be a blessing and a curse. Here is a product that will enhance a child's sense of play, but will it affect their social skills towards other children. Having a product that is simulated to be a better friend may isolate them and feed their technological dependence. Hello Barbie's design is one that is more functional than aesthetics. There are not many modifications to her design, but like the scarecrow she has a new brain.