August 8th, 2008 by
Filed under: Robots
Oh Pleo, it’s been far too long since we’ve seen you out and about! Thankfully, we’ve stumbled upon a handful of Pleo news all at once, so we hope you’re ready to catch up with your favorite dinosaur. First up is a pair of useful hacks from GRIP: a spy cam hack — which transmits images from the pet to a PC sans wires — and an XBee hack, which allows users to monitor Pleo’s sensors and control its servos in real time. For those looking for less work and more laughs, you’ll definitely want to venture on past the break. Wondering what’s there? Pleo visits the day spa — need we say more?
Read - Pleo hacks
Read - Pleo’s day spa adventures
Continue reading Pleo roundup: spy cam / XBee hacks, dino visits the day spa
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Posted in video, Comedy, Funny, hack, mod, pleo, ugobe, prank, behavior, day spa, DaySpa, dinosuar, spa | No Comments »
June 30th, 2008 by
Filed under: Robots
Although Pleo’s only been out for about six months, UBOBE opened up shop at PleoWorld about a year ago, and to celebrate they’re selling the robo-dino-pets at over $100 off the regular $350 price tag. The promo goes on until July 11th, and apparently all you need to do is pop in a promo code (PLEOWORLDISONE) and you’ll get yours for a cool $235, which is an especially great deal if your intention is only to slaughter it.
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Posted in pleo, ugobe, promotion | No Comments »
May 9th, 2008 by
Filed under: Robots
Uh oh, it looks like we’ve got a full-fledged robot controversy on our hands. At the heart of it, as you might have guessed, is the recent obliteration of a harmless Pleo by a so-called ComBot known as Vicious Verdict at Maker Faire 2008. According to a UGOBE rep posting on the PleoWorld forum, the company is having none of it, saying that the “stunt” was done without its authorization or approval, and that there was “quite a ruckus” about it in UGOBE’s office after they learned of the incident. The rep went on to add that many people, including the UGOBE reps at their Maker Faire booth were “shocked and appalled” by the act, and that they “make emotional bonds with Pleo too.” The rep did seemingly confirm that the Pleo in question was in fact provided by the company, however, saying that, “it is perhaps a small consolation to know that the Pleo destroyed was a factory prototype.” A cuddly, cuddly factory prototype.
[Via Tech Digest]
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Posted in pleo, ugobe, combot | No Comments »
May 9th, 2008 by
Filed under: Robots
After an absolutely heart-wrenching video of Pleo being annihilated by a sadistic ComBot emerged yesterday, we’re thrilled to add a little balance to the whole thing with a totally heartwarming clip today. Down at Sea World, Pleo was politely introduced to a number of animals in the park, though its interactions with the dolphins were particularly special. In the vid posted after the jump, you can go ahead and fast-forward to around the two minute mark — there you’ll find the true definition of a stud. Or maybe the pod just thinks miniature dinosaurs look extraordinarily tasty.
[Thanks, Robert]
Continue reading Pleo communes with nature, woos Dolphins
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Posted in video, Funny, pleo, ugobe, animal, dolphin | No Comments »
March 31st, 2008 by
Filed under: Robots
Although Pleo just got upgraded to v1.0.2 earlier this month, UGOBE is taking the Life OS to 1.1 and adding a laundry list of features to boot. Initially available for install only through an SD card (download via USB should hit within a few weeks), the update enables your favorite dino pet to sit, sing a variety of melodies, call for attention, get sick (coughing / sneezing) and change attitudes based on how much attention it gets. As these things always go, there’s also the promise of a few unannounced inclusions (”strange habits,” as it were), and it should be noted that previous downloads — Holiday, Love-struck, MySkit, Yapt, etc. — will need to eventually be re-downloaded in new versions to be compatible with the Life OS 1.1 update. Give the read link some attention to check out the changes, and fire up the download while you’re over there.
[Thanks, Caaahl]
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Posted in software, firmware, update, upgrade, pleo, ugobe, download, life os, LifeOs | No Comments »
March 4th, 2008 by
Filed under: Robots
If Pleo’s holiday behavior mode left you thirsty for more, chances are the first bona fide update to its Life OS won’t disappoint. Version 1.0.2 enables your dino to explore its surroundings more, engage in fits of singing when encountering groups, and hear erratic noises when sleeping softly. Of note, UGOBE promises the update won’t change your Pleo’s existing personality, so apparently, there’s nothing to lose (but more spare time). Go on, hit up the read link and start that download — right after you tell Pleo to expect a treat, of course.
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Posted in software, firmware, update, upgrade, pleo, ugobe, download, life os, LifeOs | No Comments »
December 3rd, 2007 by
Filed under: Features, Robots
Hard to believe it’s been almost two years since Ugobe’s Pleo was first announced, but today one of our very own showed up at our doorstep, sweet as a newborn (new-hatched?) Camarasaurus. Pleo’s certainly undergone a lot of physical changes since we saw it in the early days, now sporting a more adorable shape (cameras and sensors studded all over its precious little head). A few first impressions and fresh details
- Pleo’s skin is rubbery-sticky (a little like the soles on a brand new pair of Cons). We can totally see this thing feeling like a dinosaur.
- The motors on this thing are loud. Like, kind of distractingly loud. Yet somehow it remains ineffably adorable. You just want to take care of the little bugger.
- You hatch it early on by flipping its power switch and petting it until it awakens from its deep, late-Jurassic-era slumber.
- Jury’s still out on the Tim Allen-esque grunting noises.
- Ugobe PR let us know that the first version of Life OS (the software that powers Pleo) isn’t really set up to “evolve” as it was supposed to, but there will be new versions of Live OS in 2008, which will enable behavioral optimizations and that “evolution” thing.
- There will be an SDK! Take that, Aibo. Poor, poor Aibo, dead as a dino–never mind.
- Despite having a massive, heavy NiMH battery pack, it’s only 2200mAh;
We’re still letting Pleo get situated and acquainted (read: charge) but we’ve got a hand-on gallery below, and video and plenty more Pleo details after the break. So, who’s down for a quick refresher on chaos theory?
Continue reading Pleo unboxing, er, hatching — photos and video
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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
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November 6th, 2007 by
Filed under: Robots
With just weeks to go until Americans everywhere lose their minds in the holiday shopping rush, UGOBE is announcing that its long (long) awaited Pleo is finally hitting the production line. Furthermore, the company insists that those who pre-ordered the dinobot directly from UGOBE will receive a 30-day shipment notification “before Thanksgiving,” and those who placed their order with “any US retailer” will have their new toy before December 25th. In case that’s not enough to win back your heart, you can also look forward to a revamped website next month that will allow owners to download a “surprise mode” for their creature. Speaking of downloads, those wondering if this thing really will be able to “learn and develop a unique personality based on how it is raised” can anticipate “free software updates” aimed at enabling that feature (and possibly others) sometime next year. Hang tight kiddos, Pleos are being hatched as we speak.
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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
Posted in sale, on sale, OnSale, pleo, dinobot, ugobe | No Comments »
