New techie toys aim to please kids

Philadelphia Daily News, February, 2006 by Jonathan Takiff

THE GIZMO: Techie treats at the American International Toy Fair 2006.

That temporary breakup of Barbie and Ken (now dating again, whew!) may have been partially responsible for the recent slowing in toy sales. But industry analysts more often blame competition from electronics manufacturers who are stealing even pre-teens' (aka "tweens") hearts with

iPods, two-way radios, digital cameras and such. So it's interesting to see how toy manufacturers are reacting for 2006.

HIGHER POWER: Many products introduced this week at the New York-based Toy Fair (and hitting stores this summer or fall) continue the push to make high-tech gizmos easier for young 'uns to use.

Even a 3-year-old should be able to handle the Digital Song and Story Player or the Kid-Tough...