Love VR? Meet another 2017 CES Innovation Awards Honoree....

If you're a gamer, and even if you're not, you probably know the name MSI. They're famous for building high-powered, high tech, high concept computers. At CES they unveiled their VR One, a VR­ready wearable gaming powerhouse. It's the world’s thinnest and lightest VR backpack PC. "The VR One ushers the future of VR gaming by delivering superb performance in a truly mobile way, whether you prefer immersing yourself on a desk or completely untethering from wires,” says Andy Tung, president of MSI Pan America. The VR backpack PC weighs only 7.5 lbs. Powered by a unique cooling system to prolong gaming sessions, it comes with swappable batteries, eliminates cables and chords, and is now available to deliver a truly wireless VR experience. Other features include: Windows 10 - Latest 6th Generation Intel® Core i7-6820HK processor - VR Ready graphics with NVIDIA GeForce® GTX1070 or GeForce® GTX 1060 - Directional cooling - Powerful personalization and customization with the Dragon Center application - 360° virtual surround sound powered by Nahimic - Networking with Killer DoubleShot Pro -Thunderbolt 3 certified. There are two models. One at about $2000 & the other about $2300.  

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/nVLICTqzEA4

Company website VR info: https://us.msi.com/Laptop/VR-One.html#hero-overview

The new Trident models also shown in the video are here: https://us.msi.com/search/trident/product/1

Toys and fun gadgets from The Time To Play Magazine Holiday Showcase.

toys and fun gadgets from The Time To Play Magazine Holiday Showcase.

From Mongoose and Kids Trax come a great assortment of electric vehicles. Here's info provided by the company. Join Minnie for some four-wheeled fun with the 12-Volt Disney Minnie Mouse Coupe Battery-Powered Ride-On by Kid Trax! Real opening doors, working LED headlights and Power Trax Rubber Traction Strip Tires. Moves forward at 5 MPH or 2.5 MPH in reverse. You're sure to turn heads along the way, too with a pink polka-dotted paint job, molded mouse ear seats and shiny chrome accent. This two-seater comes with a 12-Volt rechargeable battery and charger, and is designed for children ages 3+ with a maximum weight limit of 120 lbs. There is also a Mickey Mouse version. Each is $299.99 at Toys R Us. 

http://www.toysrus.com/

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Party Wagon Ride-on is a one-seater funmobile. Power Trax rubber traction strip tires for smooth riding on slick surfaces and it comes with a 6V rechargeable battery and wall charger to keep the fun going. Safe forward and reverse speeds of 2.5 MPH ensure this one will be a hit for the whole family. The weight limit for the TMNT Party Wagon is 75 lbs and the recommended age is 3-7. I checked the price on 11/15/16 and Walmart said they had rolled the price back $50 and was selling this ride-on wagon for $129.00 with free shipping. Here's the Walmart link:

 http://tinyurl.com/gvy38ww 

The red Maserati Gran Turismo MC Centennial 6 Volt Powered Ride On in the video is styled to look just like the hot big-brother sports car. With lots of details and official logos molded in, this ride-on will travel at a speed of 2.5 miles per hour in forward and reverse. It can carry one driver (ages 3-7 years) with a maximum weight of 75 pounds. It comes with the battery and charger and has great features like the Direct Connect charging system and Power Trax Rubber Traction strip tires, FM Radio and an Auxiliary input, and two opening side doors. This is available at Toys R us for $169.99 with free shipping.

http://tinyurl.com/jyxw3s8 

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/T3Ie9-40FEA

Remember one of the first electronic games from the past, Simon?

Well Simon is back in a new techie version called SIMON AIR. In the new incarnation, classic SIMON game play gets a modern twist with touch-free technology! You can play alone or team up with a friend and work together. You have to remember the sequence, repeat the pattern to conquer the game. The game senses every hand motion and registers correct sequences. Keep winning and the speed and levels keep increasing with double moves, swoop moves, and even moves that light up all four lights! If the pattern is repeated incorrectly, a buzzer will sound and signal the end of the game. The player with the highest score is the winner! Three “AA” batteries required, demo batteries included. Available at most major retailers nationwide. Retail is $19.99. It's here on Amazon for under $15 and Amazon Prime as of 11/15/16:

http://amzn.to/2feaCYl

My head hurts just from reading the instructions, so here's Laurie from Time To Play Magazine to give you a demo:

TTPM Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hqH7GjExUQ

A first - interactive bedding and an interactive rug!

At the Time To Play Magazine Holiday Showcase I wasn't sure why I was looking at what seemed to be a bed with an ordinary, but very colorful, blanket. It turned out to be a high-tech duvet cover on the bed. So I asked about it and found out there's a whole new area of play technology for kids.Welspun,a conglomerate that specializes in home textiles has created a system that can add augmented reality software applications to textile materials. The first product, Spin Tales, is an interactive and innovative bed set and rug for kids aged three and up. They download a free app designed for the duvet cover and rug. Then using an iPad or Android device, it allows the kids to experience adventures in augmented reality and engage in interactive games. Either the interactive duvet cover, or the interactive rug is $99.99 Spin Tales is the first of many smart home textile products that will be introduced under the TILT umbrella. For more information on TILT go to

http://www.tilttextiles.com/. 

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/FnxKu7z5dbQ  

Add another LED gadget to the list of things that have LED's. The LED kid's bike!

 KaZAM’s Blinki is a new take on balance bikes, basically mini-bikes without pedals. Blinki features LED ight inserts that blink and light up in an array of colors as kids master their balance and eventually learn how to coast along. Designed without pedals, the Blinki Bike allows young children to skip the training wheels and develop their balance before introducing pedaling, making the transition onto traditional bikes seamless. The KaZAM Blinki Bike features a super strong frame made of space age clear poly carbonate material that helps spread their lights. Kids can choose the color of their bike (handlebars, seat, rims), which is available in pink, purple, red and black. The frames on the pink and purple bikes also have a glitter effect. It comes with front and rear multi-colored LED light inserts,12" pneumatic rubber tires, and adjustable seat height and handlebars for the growing child. Additional flashing or non-flashing LED lights are available separately, so you can alternate colors. (6AA batteries are needed, but not included.) MSRP: $99. Shipping has started. Recommended Age: 2+

Company video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXFZrG6oFQo

http://www.kazambikes.com/