Bandai Co Ltd will launch the "Mobile Communicator Smart Berry," a mobile e-mail, chat and game tool for girls, July 19, 2008.
This product features wireless communication capability instead of infrared communication, which is generally employed for toys. Up to four units can communicate with one another for e-mail, chat and online games at the same time within a 10m diameter.
The Smart Berry includes an LCD panel measuring 50 (w) x 35mm (h) and a stylus pen that can be stored in the main unit. It is formed like a slide type smartphone equipped with a keyboard. As smartphone type mobile products are also winning popularity among adults, "We employed this form considering the preferences of girls, who are sensitive to trends and fashion," Bandai explained.
It can register user profiles. Users can only send and receive mail and pictures drawn with the stylus pen to other users that they have exchanged their profiles with. Each mail can contain up to 64 characters.
In addition, the Smart Berry has a function that allows users to raise a virtual pet. Using the communication capability, users can exchange their characters with one another. Other functions include a scheduler, calculator, alarm clock and address book.
The LCD panel has 80 x 56 resolution in 4 monochromatic tones. It runs with three AAA batteries. Its dimensions are 110 (w) x 65 (h) x 29.5mm (d) and weight is 112.3g. The target users are girls at the age of 6 to 9.
The price is ¥10,290 (≠ US$96.9) including tax. It will be available at toy stores and in the toy sections of department stores and volume retailers.
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