G-Bound is the name of this new amphibious remote-controlled car by the Japanese company CCP, a sub-brand to the large toy manufacturer Bandai.

The G-Bound was recently revealed during the popular annual Tokyo Toy Show. Thanks to its waterproof body and and the four huge inflatable tires, the car can be driven upside down and on almost any kind of surface – even on the water.

Here’s a video clip on the G-Bound in action:

The car is powered by a rechargble battery pack and the 27MHz remote control lets you move the tires forward and backward individually, making it possible to spin around on one spot. You can also go forward, and then hit back, to flip the car around.

The exact release date for the G-Bound R/C Car has not yet been conformed, but sales will start in autumn 2009 and the car will cost 12,800 YEN (about $140 USD).

Thanks to Francesco at Hobbymedia!

This colorful and playful series of USB flash drives consists of six different models in various shapes and colors – all designed to look like cute little toy robots.

They come with a 2 gigabyte large storage capacity and their LED eyes lit up when you plug the USB stick into a computer. There are the six different colors you can choose from: yellow, black, blue, pink, red and white.

The AntDesignStore Robot USB Flash Drives are available over at the Geek Stuff 4 U website for ¥6,000 YEN (about $63 USD) a pop.

The Smart E Bear lets you connect him to your computer via USB. Then, once you have synced him with the downloadable software, he will start talking to your kid – by name.

He’ll sing and tell stories and play games with your urchins in English or Spanish – all you do is load up the content you want, and your child triggers Smart E into action by squeezing his paw.

And here’s the kicker: sure Smart E Bear is preloaded with tons of good educational content, but (like iTunes), you can always download more (even new languages for him to speak and teach your geeklings). This means that Smart E Bear can evolve and grow as your children do. He’ll be their friend, teacher, and teddy bear for all time. And when your children move off to college and say they’ve outgrown their Smart E Bear – then you can finally have him back all for yourself.

Features

• Dozens of stories, games, and songs preinstalled (thousands more available from Smart E Store).
• Child interacts with content by squeezing Smart E’s paw.
• Multi-lingual (English and Spanish included; French and Chinese available for additional download)
• Fully expandable with downloads from the Smart E Store.
• Included database of over 1,000 boy and girl names means Smart E Bear will be able to call your child by name!
• Customizable interactions to become more complex as your child ages.
• Connects to your computer via USB cord.
• Auto run installs software interface (Windows XP, Vista or Mac OS X 10.4 or later)
• Very soft and huggable.

The Smart E Bear is yours for $59.99 over at the ThinkGeek website.

The Japanese toy manufacturer Sega, who has brought us home planetariums like the Pure Mini and the Spa, has now released a second edition of the popular HomeStar Pro model.

It is the ultimate version of the previous HomeStar and HomeStar PRO, you can have more stars, ultra bright and a sharp starry sky in your home.

Also, it comes with full moon disk for your project in the ceiling.

Product Features

• SEGATOYS HOMESTAR PRO 2nd contains 6 Lens while HOMESTAR only contain 4 lens. The sharpness of HOMESTAR PRO is improved.
• SEGATOYS HOMESTAR PRO 2nd utilize 3W White LED while HOMESTAR use 1W White LED for projection. HOMESTAR PRO is 3 times brighter than the project of HOMESTAR
• SEGATOYS HOMESTAR PRO 2nd comes with new FULL MOON and EARTH Projection Disk
• Number of Stars: 10,000
• Projection Distance: 10 ft (around 2m-2m30cm)
• Projection Angle & Focus: Freely Adjustable on shooting angle 0-90 degree.
• Diurnal Motion Function: Revolve Counterclockwise(imitate the movement of the stars in the Northern Hemisphere)
• Shooting Star Function: Projects Shooting Stars at random intervals.
• Starry Software Tray: Changeable for different Starry disks.
• Light Resource: High brightness White LED to avoid heat and provide clear and sharp image.
• Timer Function: Allows you to program the planetarium before you go to bed to switch off automatically once a certain time has elapsed.
• Power Source: AC(100~240V, 50/60Hz)
• Colors: MAT SILVER or MAT BLACK
• Light Weight Design
• HxWxD(approx.): 15.9cm x 14.3cm x 15.1cm

The Sega Toys HomeStar PRO 2nd Edition (21st Century Home Planetarium) is available over at the Toys Brando website for $224.90.

These radio-controlled mini tanks – a camouflage model and a gray one – are designed to look like the Tiger I battle tank that were used by the Germans during World War II.

You can control it in your hand and play with each others in your desktop. The full-set package comes with barriers to form your preferred scene. The tank can fight and bombard with up to 4 tanks at the same time.

Features:

• 120-degree Range of Remote Controller
• 1:70 Infrared Battle Tank
• Tank Dimension: 8.5 x 5.0 x 4.0 cm
• Batteries: 6 x AAA Batteries (Not Included)

Different Modes of Tank:

• Bombard and Rebound mode: body bouncing bank with sound
• Maneuver mode: body knocking when hit by an enemy
• Capturing mode: turning around when hit by an enemy with the forward function stopping

The radio-controlled desktop tanks are available from the Toys Brando website for $25 a pop. Choose between the Tiger I (Gray) and the Tiger I (Camouflage) model.

If you didn’t win the bidding on the Airwolf Pilot Helmet Replica, don’t worry. You can now get your hands on a fully-licensed R/C version of the Airwolf supersonic military helicopter.

It can fly up, down, backwards, forwards, left and right and it features an infra-red control, tri-band technology and counter-rotating rotors.

Features:

• 3 channel RC Helicopter.
• Full control: up, down, left, right, forward and backwards movements.
• Super wide infrared control
• Tri-band technology.
• Dual counter rotation rotors for superb stability.
• Highly detailed and crash resistant hard body shell.
• Trimmer to eliminate spin.
• Built-in 3.7v li-po battery with charging protection.
• Charges in 20 to 30 minutes and runs for 6 to 9 minutes.

The Airwolf R/C Helicopter is available from Firebox.com for £39.95 (about $56 USD).

Last month we covered the Spyfire R/C Blaster here at GeekAlerts and now yet another follow-up to the original USB missile launcher has been announced. This time it’s Marvel who has come up with a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man model.

Features:

• Powered by USB with 4 feet of cable
• Contains 3 foam missiles and a Target
• Includes 3 feet of USB cable
• Moves left right up and down
• Prerecorded sound effects
• Shoots up to 15 feet at a extremely fast rate
• Compatible with Windows XP/2000/Vista

Requirements:

• PC with Intel Pentium 4 or compatible processor that operates at 2.4GHz or faster
• 128MB or more RAM
• 100MB of available hard drive space
• Any Windows compatible soundcard using WDM, ASIO or DirectSound drivers
• CD-ROM Drive
• One available USB 1.1 port on your computer to plug to the missile launcher
• Display adapter capable of 800*600 in 16 bit color
• Microsoft Windows XP with Internet connection

The Spider-Man USB Missile Launcher is available from Dream Cheeky (price unknown).

(Via Nerd Approved)

If you’re into plush gadgets like the Monkey USB Webcam with Pen Holder or the Monkey USB Speakers, this new one for iPod should be right up your alley.

Plug in and tuck your iPod into the front pouch of these plush pals. Each comes equipped with two speakers, an amp and an iPod-friendly jack.

Requires four AA batteries (not included).

The iPod Plush Pal Speakers are available from the PBteen website in two different models: Kangaroo, Black Painted Dot ($35) and Polar Bear, Pink Rain Drop ($39).

(Via Geeksugar)

For those of you how have a morbid fascination for gadgets like the Human Skull USB Drive and the Human Skull MP3 Player Belt Buckle, here’s something new and USB-ish that should be right up your alley.

This sinister skull connects to a USB port and sits on your desk glowing eerily and its motion sensor keeps watch for anyone walking up to it. So, if you want to mark out your desk space as somewhere that anyone should go near at their own peril, this ghostly guardian is the ideal way to warn them away!

No software installation is needed and a one metre USB cable is included. USB power also means that no batteries are required.

The USB Skull will soon be available from Thumbs Up for £9.99 (about $14 USD).

(Via Geeky Gadgets)

Yes, those popular Transformers robots sure come in all shapes and sizes.

We’ve recently seen these fictional alien robots as iPod speaker docks, learning laptops and a 4-port USB hub. Now you can add Mickey Mouse to that never ending list.

The Mickey Mouse Transformer Robot is sold by Amazon Japan for about $33.

(Rinkya via Technabob)

The Japanese R/C model car company KYOSHO is about to release the dNaNo series in USA and Europe. These micro cars are super realistic 1:43 scale replicas and they’ve got the same level of details as the Die-cast models do.

Here’s a video clip showing the Kyosho dNaNo cars in action:

What makes dNaNo really outstanding, beside its impressive performance, is the USB compatible control unit. It allows the user to setup the car via the Kyosho web server.

By registering the car and entering the special circuit, the dedicated ID assigned to the IC tag on each car during production links to the circuit and starts measuring lap times. While displaying your data on the circuit display, all circuits are networked to the dNaNo Server, which automatically gets updated with your lap times.

You can access this webpage from your PC. This amazing system made possible with the dNaNo provides you with a deeper involvement with your racing machine and its performance, bringing you closer to the racing experience than ever before.

Head on over to the kyosho.com and dnanoshop.com websites for prices and more information about the dNaNo USB R/C micro cars from Kyosho.

Thanks to Francesco at Hobbymedia.it!

MegaStealth Mantis is the name of the latest model to join Insecta, HeliBug, Flying Bee, Mosquito and the other insect inspired radio-controlled toys out there.

Super superior to other insects (RC and not), the Mantis employs both electronic and mechanical gyroscopic stabilization for rock-steady hovering. The tail-rotor is also controlled by a micro motor for true yaw-axis stability. Move forward, turn left, and turn right – this bug can fly anywhere indoors.

Power is supplied by an on-board Lithium Polymer battery pack, which is charged via a quick charger built into the Mantis two-stick transmitter.

The MegaStealth Mantis 2-Channel Electric R/C Insect is currently available for $49.95 over at the Edmund Scientific website.

(Via 7Gadgets)

The radio-controlled Spyfire blaster is like an upgraded version of the Wireless USB Missile Launcher – now allowing you to fire it from up to 25 feet away instead of 15.

Not only is it a powerful, battery powered, 4 shot blaster capable of blasting up to 25 feet away – but the handle can separate from the rest of the blaster. You can set the blaster up with its integrated, folding tripod and set it to cover your escape path.

Here’s a video demonstration of the R/C toy in action:

Features:

• Powerful 4 dart blaster
• Stores extra ammo in handle
• Flip-up sight and fold down tripod
• Electronic power-up and firing sound effects with each shot
• R/C range: up to 50 feet
• Shoots up to 25 feet

The Spyfire R/C Blaster measures 3 x 12 x 10 inches and requires 5 x AAA batteries. The product is available from the ThinkGeek website for $29.99.

(Via Geeky Gadgets)

This cute and colorful speaker in the shape of a teddy bear works in the same was as the USB Sheep Speaker – simply hook up your iPod or any other portable audio device using the standard 3.5mm stereo audio jack, and you’re good to go.

It will happily sit on your bedside table without ruining the bedroom’s mojo because it looks just like any other teddy bear.

The speakers have been tucked away in the bear’s feet and the battery pack is cleverly hidden inside the teddy, so you’ll barely even notice that this loveable bear houses a great sounding sound system for your MP3 player.

Features:

• A set of stereo speakers disguised as a huggable, lovable teddy bear.
• The bear is decorated in a striking retro-psychadelic material.
• Hook up any MP3 player or portable audio device using the 3.5mm jack lead built-in to the Teddy Bear.
• Requires 4 x AAA batteries (not included).
• Suitable for ages 3 years +.
• Size: 22 x 20 x 14.5cm.

The Teddy Speaker is available from the IWOOT website for £14.99 (About $23 USD).

If you’re not able to use the Sonic Vox voice manipulation app for iPhone, this device will make it possible for you to garble your voice with just about any phone out there.

Features:

• Portable Voice Changer
• Adjustable volumn
• Adjustable Pitch (8 selections: 3 High, 3 Low, One Original and One Robot-like)
• Dimension: 6.0 x 9.0 x 2.5 cm
• Light weight: 55 gram

The Portable Voice Changer is yours for $19 over at the Gadget Brando website.

According to LatestBuy, this is “the world’s first water-resistant remote control duckie”. If you’ve been following GeekAlerts for a while, you know that this is not true. There was another model that was released about a year ago.

However, it is probably the first one that comes with twin propellers and standard batteries, so you won’t have to recharge the toy every third minute.

Product Specifications

• Product dimensions (duck): 3(H) x 2.5(W) x 3.5(D) inches.
• Product dimensions (controller): 1.2(H) x 3.5(W) x 2.2(D) inches.
• Requires 2 x AAA batteries for the duck and the same for the controller.
• Controller allows you to steer the duck forwards & backwards, and left & right.

You can get he R/C Bathtime Duckie from the latestbuy.com.au website for $26 USD.

The Silverlit company is continuing to come up with fun new ideas for their steadily growing stream of radio-controlled toys. The latest example is the Planet Protector.

This futuristic helicopter features a brave pilot who is “defending the Earth against invaders by attacking their spy satellite station with his infra-red laser beam”.

You can fly the Planet Protector on a mission to defeat the satellite station and when you score a direct hit it’ll explode in a blast of light and noise! But the fun’s not over there, as it can be re-assembled for another round of battle!

Here’s a video demonstration of the Planet Protecto in action:

Featuring Silverlit’s famous super-wide infrared control system and fast charging through the transmitter unit, together with sturdy construction that means it can handle bumpy landings or crashes and get right back into the air again afterwards, the Planet Protector is an awesome ground-attack challenge! Auto-stability and precision controls mean it’s easy to learn to fly too.

The Silverlit Planet Protecto will soon be available from the Thumbs Up UK website. The suggested retail price has been set to £34.99 (about $52 USD).

This kaleidoscope projector features four different “season” plates plus two blank ones, allowing you to create your own creative patters to project onto your wall or ceiling.

It also comes with a dome top which will turn it into a desk light with the projections contained within. The free rotation function allows you to point it in any direction at your ceiling and walls to view the beautiful evolving patterns.

Product Features

• Four Seasons Kaleidoscope Dome Projector
• 4 Seasons Plates and 2 Blank Cartridges to Tailor made your own patterns
• Colorful Bead Inserts
• With Dome Top to transform as Kaleidoscope Desk Lamp
• Timer Functions: 30, 60, 180 mins
• Free Rotation
• Speed Function: Let user to Adjustment the rotaion speed
• Diameter: 12cm

The Four Seasons Kaleidoscope Dome Projector is available from Toys Brando for $98.

Having a hard time saving up your money to be able to buy some of all those cool gadgets out there? Maybe this awesome transparent coin bank will make things easier.

How it Works

1. Travels up a belt drive mechanism
2. Drops though a series of slides
3. Is lifted again up through a spiral chamber
4. Is dropped into a moving arm & is carried across the bank where…
5. Another series of slides receives the coin, then…
6. A second moving arm comes to pick up the coin, drop it into a slot, then on to a track on the outside of the bank then into the bank for safe keeping

Once the coins are safe, the electronic sensor system automatically shut off the bank, waiting for the next coin to be deposited.

Features

• Drop slide
• Spiral lift chamber
• First moving arm
• Second drop slide
• Second moving arm
• Slot and outside track
• Coin deposit slot

The “Coin Factory Bank” measures 12(W) x 12(H) x 6(D) inches and requires 4 pieces of C batteries. The product is available from the Cool Stuff Express website for $38.99 or from Things You Never Knew Existed for $39.98 .

(Random Good Stuff via Boing Boing Gadgets)

For some reason, the manufacturers of this radio-controlled indoor toy thought Santa was better suited in a helicopter, rather than the traditional sleigh and reindeer team.

R/C flying Santa micro helicopter with a handheld 3-channel remote. This lightweight toy has a single fixed rotor and stabilizer bar for fun short range flight.

The remote controller allows the helicopter to be flown and landed, hover in midair, and turn left or right. There is also a stabilizer bar on the helicopter that is controlled by the remote, so you can trim the flight and prevent flips and spins.

Here’s a video demonstration of the radio-controlled Santa:

Specifications

• Materials: Carbon fiber
• Flying Time: 8 minutes
• Flying Range: 6 meters
• Power: Internal rechargeable Li-ion polymer battery
• Dimension: Helicopter 160(L) x 72(H) x 28(W) mm, Blade=135 mm
• Flight Control: up/down, forward/backward, left/right, left/right trim
• Power: 6 x AA battery (not included)

The Santa R/C Helicopter is available from Chinavision for 11.72 EUR (about $15 USD).