Feature Article

Free eNews Subscription>>
July 28, 2015

Talking Teddies: Why CloudPets Might be the Toy of the Future

As humans are becoming increasingly tech-savvy, it seems like our toys are too. Today’s child is no longer entertained with a simple doll or even a Gameboy, but craves toys that are stimulating, interactive, or give them a connection to others. Enter CloudPets, the newest take on stuffed animals, and one that draws on these desired toy qualities.

Created by Spiral Toys with manufacturer Jay at Play, the stuffed animals (there are four types: a cat, a dog, a bear, and a bunny) are advertised as huggable, cuddly companions, with a twist. CloudPets partner with an app that runs on iPhones, iPads, or Android phones and allow users to send messages through the stuffed animal.

via Shutterstock.

The toy uses BTLE technology, which also powers the Apple Watch and Nike FuelBand. After downloading the free app, all you need is WiFi or cellular service to make it work. In theory, CloudPets are easy to use. If you want to send a message to the toy, you record it on the App (messages can be up to 10 seconds long), then send it. However, the stuffed animal needs to be within 30 feet of another device that has the app, and this device can accept the message on behalf of the CloudPet. The toy’s “heart” will then light up red when it has a message, and children press its left paw to play the message. They can then respond with a message of their own by pressing the right paw and recording.

CloudPets are a potentially fun option for families with parents who travel or are separated, for grandparents that live far away, and even for military personnel (fun fact: military families get free shipping) =. Users can send unlimited messages to an unlimited amount of people, but parents can rest easy by managing and screening all incoming messages and invitees. The toy also boasts a growing amount of app content with features such as lullabies, games, and other pending additions.

While CloudPets sounds like a great twist on the classic stuffed animal,  I’m still a little skeptical. I’m a huge fan of online product reviews, and it seems for right now, CloudPets does not have many fans out there. Most reviews complained about the toy, saying that the idea was good but lacking in execution and that they had trouble connecting and sending messages. The fact that this was the consensus across multiple sites (including the Apple App Store) is  telling.

I also have to question the ease of the toy. It seems as though a lot of moving parts need to be in place for CloudPets to work (having an internet connection, the animal being near the receiving device, etc.) things might get tricky. I also wonder how many grandparents, who are some of the target purchasers, will have a hard time with set-up and working the app (I know my grandparents would struggle). Not to mention that all this is for only a 10 second message, which might be cute, but still seems like a lot of effort for something so short. Why not call your child, FaceTime them, or even send them a voice memo? Finding that reason, may be key in the future success of this offering.

Overall, CloudPets do seem like a snuggly, different way of communicating with loved ones. If you can figure out how to make it work, I don’t see why it wouldn’t be a fun idea.

CloudPets are sold at $39.99 each (batteries not included, but this does include shipping costs).




Edited by Stefania Viscusi


FOLLOW MobilityTechzone

Subscribe to MobilityTechzone eNews

MobilityTechzone eNews delivers the latest news impacting technology in the Wireless industry each week. Sign up to receive FREE breaking news today!
FREE eNewsletter