Uchiage Hanabi Fireworks Projector from Sega Toys

Written by: Michael Keferl on July 2, 2009 at 12:55 pm | In PRODUCT INNOVATIONS | No Comments

Sega Toys will soon be coming out with another stylish projector for the home, though instead of the universe this time they’ll be focusing on some other shooting stars. The Uchiage Hanabi (product page) uses five moving lenses that project animated images of exploding fireworks onto the walls and ceiling.

The projector also allows users to create their own images by drawing onto special film for projection, and then shoot fireworks around it in celebration.

What’s also interesting is the detail that they went to, even creating the rocket blasting through the sky before exploding onto the wall.

via Gizmodo Japan and Impress

Tags: gadgets, Lifestyle, Sega Toys
Category: PRODUCT INNOVATIONS
Other categories: MARKETING IDEAS, DIGITAL LIFE, LIFESTYLE / FASHION

Happy Savon, Orgel Spa, Hanabi de Spa make bathtime for the ladies

Written by: Michael Keferl on January 26, 2009 at 4:37 am | In DIGITAL LIFE, PRODUCT INNOVATIONS | No Comments

As mentioned in our previous posts, Sega Toys has done much to push the market for “adult toys” (no, not those). While the Homestar planetariums (shop link) and other ambient lighting devices are rather male-oriented, Sega and other companies are pushing equally towards the female market by producing bath and spa toys (such as a bath planetarium with a feminine edge).

In addition to the new Homestar Pro 2nd Edition and Homestar Globe announced last week, the ladies will have three new bath gadgets to relax with.

The Happy Savon and Orgel Spa both utilize a rounded whale shape with feminine colors. However, while the Savon is filling the bathroom with airborne bubbles, the Orgel is a pull-cord, 3-minute music box used for women to keep track of timings for different parts of the their bath/beauty routines.

A little more far-out, but in tune with other bath gadgets is the Hanabi de Spa, which basically means “spa by fireworks”. This bath fountain floats in the tub and creates firework-like effects by beaming multicolored LEDs into the spray. So, while the men are watching the stars in the living room and the ladies are using fireworks in the tub, will we ever need to leave the house again?

UPDATE: The Happy Savon is available online at Japan Trend Shop along with the Orgel Spa.

Tags: gadgets, Sega Toys
Category: DIGITAL LIFE, PRODUCT INNOVATIONS
Other categories: MARKETING IDEAS, LIFESTYLE / FASHION

Homestar Globe planetarium projects inside

Written by: Michael Keferl on January 26, 2009 at 2:22 am | In DIGITAL LIFE | 1 Comment

While planetariums typically project, Sega Toys’ upcoming Homestar Globe is completely internal. Designed by Takayuki Oohira, inventor of the Homestar Planetarium series, the desktop viewers allow users to peer inside to see the stars, planets, and constellations backlit in high-quality.

Hoemstar Globe was announced for June release at last week’s Toy Forum. The details aren’t completely clear (exchange of internal plates, etc), but the concept places the device somewhere between executive gift and cool coffee table conversation starter.

Tags: gadgets, Homestar, Sega Toys
Category: DIGITAL LIFE
Other categories: MARKETING IDEAS, LIFESTYLE / FASHION, PRODUCT INNOVATIONS

Homestar Pro 2nd Edition home planetarium - Sega Toy Forum

Written by: Michael Keferl on January 23, 2009 at 11:59 pm | In DIGITAL LIFE | No Comments

UPDATE: You can now buy the Homestar PRO 2nd Edition online.

This week we had the chance to see the latest offerings for 2009 from Sega Toys, a company that has gone from just making toys for kids to creating innovative lifestyle goods for the adult market. We’ll be covering several in a row here, the first of which is the continuation of a classic in this “Ippin Mono” (rare goods) series from Sega: The Homestar Pro Second Edition.

Picture via Impress

It’s been a long run for the Homestar Series of home planetariums, which has combined education with good design, and turned it into a truly modern home accessory. The new 2nd Edition, to be available from the summer, is combining multiple features (moon, 10,000 stars, earth) into one disc for wall and ceiling projection and changing the case design slightly, but still keeping the LED power, shooting stars, and other features that have made it famous.

From the original Homestar Homestar Pro to the bath time Homestar Spa and the latest high-end Homestar EXTRA, Sega has provided a steady stream of products around a popular theme (space & astronomy) for a generation of consumers that still loves its toys. A shrinking market for kids is a primary reason of course, but the approach from Sega has been steady and well-targeted.

UPDATE: Now available online!

Tags: Homestar, Sega Toys
Category: DIGITAL LIFE
Other categories: MARKETING IDEAS, LIFESTYLE / FASHION, PRODUCT INNOVATIONS

Live Dream sensor stage from Sega Toys

Written by: Michael Keferl on September 12, 2008 at 10:33 am | In DIGITAL LIFE | No Comments

UPDATE: The Sega Live Dream is now available online.

Coming up in the Ippin Mono (Rare Goods) series from Sega Toys is a home audio set that, like the Grand Pianist and Little Jammer Pro (shop link), plays “live style” music at home. In this case, however, there are no robotics, but sensors in the stage that react when an instrument is placed on it.

Containing 30 tracks, and expandable with extra cartridges, the Live Dream can play up to 18 tracks simultaneously, depending on which instruments you have on stage. Place the piano on, and immediately hear it from the side of the stage that you place it on. The other 17 instruments, from drums to guitars, all work the same way and allow you to experiment with different instruments on the same songs.

You can see some video of the Live Dream in our coverage of this year’s Tokyo Toy Show, along with lots of other new goods from Sega and other makers.

Tags: Ippin Mono, Live Dream, Sega Toys, Tokyo Toy Show
Category: DIGITAL LIFE
Other categories: MARKETING IDEAS, LIFESTYLE / FASHION, PRODUCT INNOVATIONS