Filed under: Portable Audio, Robots

Oh Rolly… we know you’re an overpriced, 2GB dancing robot with convoluted controls and questionable sound quality. But dammit, your impractical, big-corporate ways have gnawed a soft-spot deep into the noxious cesspool we call a heart. Now this: Rolly model SEP-50BT with Bluetooth control from your cellphone or laptop. Shipping in Japan on November 21st for an expected ¥40,000 or about $427. Sold. Watch it all unfold in the video after the break.

[Via Impress]

Continue reading Sony’s Rolly learns the Bluetooth trick

Sony’s Rolly learns the Bluetooth trick originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Oct 2008 04:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Robots

We’ve always been skeptical of Rolly’s purpose, but Associated Press business writer Rachel Metz isn’t pulling any punches when it comes to reviewing Sony’s MP3-playing dance-bot. She calls it a mere conversation-starter “if your dancing hamster has run off”, notes that the $400 toy lacks a headphone jack, and scoffs at the 2GB of storage. She also offers that while she gets the notion of the Rolly as a programmable bot with its “Rolly Choreography” software, she had a hard time justifying the time it took to just get through one song (30 minutes of tweaking for 20 seconds of bot action). We’re not about to defend the Rolly’s place in life, but let’s be fair: Rolly isn’t meant to solve problems: it’s meant to confuse AP writers, scare cats, and get hacked to all oblivion.

[Via BoingBoing]

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Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio, Robots

Sony just turned out the Rolly music player in black. A surprise blown by the FCC just last week. At least we can wonder at the colorful end-caps at a cost of ¥1,500 (about $15) per. Of course, if you scoffed at the original Rolly, then the April 19th, Japanese release of the new ¥40,000 (about $400) dancing-speaker bot won’t likely tug at your pawnshopped heartstrings.

[Via Impress]

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Filed under: Portable Audio, Robots

Okay, so after watching this thing bust a move on video, we actually aren’t as perplexed by it as we once were, but there’s no denying that Sony’s Rolly is quite the curious character. Nevertheless, the SEP-30BT (opposed to Japan’s SEP-10BT) has hurtled itself into the open arms of the FCC, assuring Americans that the time has almost come. There’s nothing too shocking within the 70 (!) page manual, but if you just can’t wait for this critter to land at your doorstep, tap the read link below and eat your heart out.

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Filed under: Portable Audio, Robots

Most Americans have yet to get a taste of Sony’s Rolly speakerbot, and while we may finally see the little critter, um, roll our way sometime next year according to company prez Stan Glasgow, Japan is already getting its first special edition of the lively MP3 player. Christmas Rolly — on sale immediately for ¥41,800 ($380) and shipping December 19th — comes preloaded with Japanese takes on traditional holiday favorites such as Santa Claus is Coming to Town and White Christmas, along with the accompanying pre-programmed “dance moves” — though frankly we’re at a loss as to how a two-wheeled robot gets down to Silent Night. Those folks on a budget who can’t live without the special six-pack of tunes will also be able to find them on Sony’s Christmas edition of the NW-E013 DAP, on sale next month for only ¥10,980 ($99).

[Via Impress]

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video, Robots

Check your servos Rolly and Miuro, there’s a new media playing robot in town by the foreboding name of “Murider.” The new bot from Woori features a 4.3-inch display for watching DMB mobile television and support for audio playback when sourced from USB-connected devices or SD cards. Details are scant but it’s said to stand (not roll) and a bust out a little dance with appropriately timed flashing lights. Oh, and it’ll do so for a fraction of the price of its peers. Just don’t be surprised to find little rolly muttering “Redirum, redirum” in response to this budget repetition of past events.

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!