Latest news with #animatronics
CNET
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNET
DJ Furby Elongates the Classic Toy With a Literal Glow Up
Hasbro is launching a new type of Furby Tuesday, with an elongated design that makes it part cat, part worm and part DJ. The $70 DJ Furby is three times the size of a standard Furby, and the creature's body includes a light display along its body that can be used for various games. After unboxing the DJ Furby, it was immediately obvious to me that the wormlike body emphasizes the animatronic toy's resemblance to a cat more than ever. It can easily sit around my shoulder, and it looks like a pet when I set it on a couch at CNET's New York office. DJ Furby has more than a passing resemblance to the "long Furby," which are fan-made creations that place a standard Furby into an elongated body. When I asked Hasbro if the DJ Furby drew inspiration from these, the company noted that they knew a portion of the Furby fanbase would appreciate the look. "DJ Furby is a great addition to the Furby family, and we are excited about the innovation and creative play we've brought to this product. We are always listening to our fans, and we know that they will be excited about the new design as well," Hasbro said in a comment. The DJ Furby's longer body makes it more catlike and wormlike than ever. Mike Sorrentino/CNET Much like the standard Furby, the DJ Furby is a chatterbox that immediately gets talking once you load its hidden battery box with four AA batteries, which require a Philips head screwdriver to install. The DJ Furby has colorful lights all over its body, with the most located along its stomach, for a variety of games. Given my past experiences playing with cats, being invited by this catlike creature to play with its stomach almost gave me pause. Real cats typically don't like to have their stomachs touched. But in the case of DJ Furby, I flipped it onto its back in order to play a Simon-like memory game, pressing colors in the order they appear. The DJ Furby has a total of 20 games, and it'll constantly offer activities while telling jokes for as long as you give it attention. As per the name, the DJ Furby also allows for kids to create custom music, and the creature's lights will sync to the beat of the music. The DJ Furby includes several activities that involve pressing the lights on its stomach. Mike Sorrentino/CNET While DJ Furby doesn't have an "off" switch, it does get sleepy and becomes quiet if you leave it alone for about 90 seconds. The "review unit" I was provided for this DJ Furby was the Rainbow edition, which launches alongside a checkered Neon Star edition. There are also smaller DJ Furblets that cost $13 each, which have a similar catlike body but come in a more travel-friendly size. The DJ Furby and DJ Furblets are available for preorder Tuesday, and officially go on sale July 15.
ABC News
08-06-2025
- Automotive
- ABC News
Giant dinosaur impulse buy becomes Milang town mascot
When asked why she bought a dinosaur for her front paddock, Brittany Vogelsang usually replies: "Why not? It's a rare opportunity to be able to say I own a dinosaur". Milano, the saltasaurus, is now an eye-catching sight for people passing her property as they come down Nine Mile Road into the small historic lakeside town of Milang. Ms Vogelsang, who has lived in the town for 25 years, is hoping that Milano's presence will attract a few more day trippers to the town of 800, located just over an hour south-east of Adelaide. Once a thriving paddle-steamer town on the banks of Lake Alexandrina, Milang attracted national attention when former prime minister Kevin Rudd visited during the Millennium Drought, and the area is again experiencing dry times. However, Ms Vogelsang hopes Milano will bring a smile to residents and visitors as they drive past, toot their horns or stop to take a selfie. The unofficial town mascot ended up there, next to the neighbour's bemused miniature ponies, by pure chance after an impulsive purchase by one of Ms Vogelsang's friends went a bit wrong. Her friend had paid $1,500 for Milano during an online auction, intending him to become an eccentric garden ornament on his property in Deniliquin in country New South Wales. Unfortunately, for Ms Vogelsang's friend, the reality of relocating an 8-metre long, 3m-high animatronic saltasaurus dinosaur from the auction house to rural NSW within two days of purchase proved too difficult and too costly. "He threw his hands in the air and said, 'I give up,'" Ms Vogelsang said. "When he said, 'Do you want to buy him?' I said, 'Absolutely'." Ms Vogelsang paid $200 for Milano and said once the decision had been made, things steamrolled from there. With a borrowed car trailer and the head detached for the journey, Milano made his way down the South Eastern Freeway and through the nearest large town of Strathalbyn. The community, after many doing double takes on an initial drive past, has embraced the dinosaur with requests rolling in for him to be dressed up for Christmas, Halloween and football finals. Ms Vogelsang's co-worker at the town bakery, Kerri Woodgate, said Milano had already attracted visitors from surrounding towns in the three weeks since he arrived. "It's been really, really positive for the town," she said. "Kids love it." Ms Vogelsang's daughter Emma agreed. "Best idea ever," she said.
Gizmodo
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
Disney Brings ‘Haunted Mansion' to Early Halloween Decor Shopping—But at What Cost?
It's only the start of June, and already Halloween fanatics have to fight for their lives to acquire the newest spooky season decor. Lowe's just revealed this year's Disney Haunted Mansion collection and choices were definitely made in sculpting the iconic figures from the Disney Parks ride. Just give a little gander at the groundskeeper—he's even more terrifying than the Hitchhiking Ghosts! The eyes, so fleshy and protruding like they've seen a thing or two on a Doombuggy passing by. He looks absolutely nightmarish, so there's no doubt he will work for the best lawn jump scares. He'll set you back $249. At least with the Knight, the sculpt fares better, right? It's really more befitting to have the dead center stare come from the severed head, methinks. This hallway icon is available for $349 and is musical, featuring 'Grim Grinning Ghosts' along with its motion programming. Speaking of grim grinning ghosts, here are the Hitchhiking Ghost animatronics ($299), which we think approximates the designs from the ride closely enough while having that bought-in-a-Halloween store campiness in their outlandish design. Check out the rest of the Haunted Mansion Halloween decor in the spooooooky gallery below which includes new light up busts and punny gravestones. Order for Summerween fun through Lowe's and they may haunt your doorstep by next week's Friday the 13th!
Geek Culture
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Culture
Jurassic World: The Experience Brings Prehistoric Thrills To Singapore From 29 May
Before the world of dinosaurs and apex predators roars back to life on the big screen with Jurassic World: Rebirth , Singapore will first revisit the franchise's legacy in style. Jurassic World: The Experience is set to turn back the clock starting 29 May, transforming Gardens by the Bay into a prehistoric landscape. Held at Cloud Forest, it leans into the buzz once doors open, leading visitors through a short passageway adorned with themed decor, including a giant eye peeking out of foliage. Then comes the distinctive logo that fans have come to know and love, with two Brachiosaurus – each towering at 8.5 metres – standing in front of the waterfall. Moving on from Brachiosaurus Falls to Where It All Began reveals tiny Compsognathus on display, accompanied by iconic audio excerpts from the films, alongside a chance to get up close and personal with dinosaur babies on the side. Operating on the concept of a petting zoo, the interactive session invites the public to lay their hands on them, while the Aviary exhibit features a pair of Velociraptors fixing their gaze on Pterandon nests in the distance. A protective Pteranodon hovers above, joining its other counterparts in the skies. Hot on its heels is Tyrannosarurus Breakout, one of the biggest highlights of the event. A ferocious, animatronic T-Rex serves as the centrepiece, letting out a loud roar as it breaks through a shattered fence designed to mirror the set design used for filming. The apex predator isn't the only sign of life here: cycads, ancient plants that grew across the land during the dinosaur era, can be found amid the action, with their roots tracing all the way back to over 280 million years ago. In fact, Evolution Walk is where the undergrowth gets to shine. Apart from chronicling its over-time growth from freshwater algae to the various species now inhabiting the earth, the education trail also showcases 3D recreations of long-extinct plants. At the end of the road lies Stiggy Truck, where a Stygiomoloch emerges from a cargo box after a few seconds of violent shaking. The next encounter thrusts the Brachiosaurus back into the spotlight again – this time, surrounded by staggeringly tall ancient conifers as it sways its long neck gently. But the true fun begins at the Dilophosaurus Ambush, where the carnivorous dinosaurs lie in ambush amongst toppled crates and open cages, bearing their frills and hissing away just like in the first Jurassic Park film. It leads into Muzzle Raptors, featuring the pack of sisters Echo, Delta, and Charlie, who evoke a lifelike quality with their displays of micro-expressions, such as blinking eyes and jaws locked in a grimace. An interesting note about the zone is how it inherits the same setup that riders encounter while queuing for Jurassic World VelociCoaster in Universal Studios Orlando, which makes for a neat attention to detail. Saving the best for the last, Blue, the leading raptor of the Jurassic World movies, is at the front and centre of The Final Roar. Here, visitors can catch the intelligent dinosaur in the flesh, complete with a dramatic entrance, jaw-snapping sound effects and an opportunity to get even closer to the setpiece. As Jurassic World: The Experience comes to a close, remember to snap a few shots against different animated backdrops at the Jurassic World Gate, or soak in a contemplative arrangement inspired by iconic soundtracks across the franchise at the Prehistoric Grove. The adventure officially ends at the retail store, where exclusive Jurassic World merchandise like plushies, t-shirts, pins and magnets designed in the style of warning signs, luggage tags, and more, await. Jurassic World: The Experience will be open from 9am to 9pm starting 29 May at Cloud Forest. Tickets are priced at S$22 for Singapore Residents belonging to the children (3-12 years old) or seniors (60 and above) category, and S$26 for adults, with purchase available on Garden by the Bay's website. Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth's theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia's greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
BBC News
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Jersey Zoo welcomes 'lifelike' dinosaur animated puppets
A zoo has invited visitors to see "lifelike" dinosaurs in Zoo says the animated puppets roar, blink and move like real dinosaurs, and will be on show from 25 to 31 will also be "meet-and-greets" with a 5m (16ft) triceratops and 4m (13ft) zoo said visitors could get their picture taken, attend a ranger academy and learn how to get the velociraptor to turn and roar. The zoo said the dinosaur attraction had been set to open on Saturday 24 May but it had to postpone the event by one day due to matters outside of its Zoo's education team said it would also be hosting fossil-handling sessions in the Discovery Centre every day. Visitors can see a triceratops tooth and touch coprolite, a spinosaurus vertebrae and a fragment of T-Rex tooth, it Osborne, director of commercial at Jersey Zoo, said the dinosaur activities were fun as well as educational and immersive. He said he hoped visitors would "learn more about the fascinating animals that used to roam our planet".Mr Osborne added: "As a conservation organisation, we are fighting every day to stop more species from going extinct and hope this event will inspire our guests to think more about the impact they are having on the natural world, as well as the steps they can take to protect it."
