“Cheap, fast computers to be built on Barbie, Hot Wheels
themes”
“But what might seem like child’s play underscores several
important trends in the computer and toy industries. New waves of
computer buyers are looking for machines that reflect their
personalities. And toymakers are anxious to expand their reach into
interactive entertainment.”
“To build the new PCs, Mattel partnered with Patriot Computers
of Markham, Ontario. The computers will be sold directly through
Patriot or on the Web, beginning Sept. 15, for $599 or a
$14.98 monthly payment.”
“But for a device touted as a children’s PC, the adaptations are
largely superficial. Not much has been done to make using the
computer more friendly to little hands or young minds. Both
computers use the Microsoft Windows 98 operating system,
but only the icons — like a cursor turned into a racecar — have
been changed to match the toy theme.
Mattel used a similar strategy in July when it introduced the
Barbie printer…”