Instant Messaging Buddies Speak

America Online just announced the first toy that makes instant messaging more fun than ever by allowing popular cartoon characters to speak messages out loud as they're sent from someone else's computer. Called ‘Instant Messaging Buddies', these eight-inch, wireless plush toys 'speak' in sync and 'come alive' by moving animatronically in real time when activated through the AOL Instant Messenger . The first buddies to be introduced are the Looney Tunes characters Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck.

Here's how the IM Buddies work:
Each IM Buddy has over 150 pre-recorded kid-friendly phrases, and speaks in their actual character voices. IM Buddy toys sit right on top of a computer monitor and become activated via a light-sensor, which reacts to specially embedded digital triggers in the software. AOL Instant Messaging members will have the ability to send and receive pre-recorded phrases to enhance their IM conversations, plus use their IM Buddy with off and online applications including a growing library of games and edutainment made available via AOL's Kids Only Channel.

In addition to the IM Buddies themselves, AOL members can enjoy interactive games that will be featured on the site with their buddy, including:

Music Madness -- A memory game that offers three levels of difficulty -- easy, medium, hard -- to challenge and amuse. The game features color-coded Looney Tunes characters, which spin around. Players are challenged to remember which character goes where. Frustrated users can reset the game at any time and can also start the game at any level.

Slider Puzzle -- The scrambled-tile game challenges the player to move the square tiles one at a time in order to have them form a coherent picture. There are three different Looney Tunes pictures to unscramble, but only one level of difficulty. The game offers the player the option of seeing numbers on each square, which can greatly help in solving the puzzle. The game also allows the user the option to re-scramble the tiles. Additionally, the user can grab a "sneak-peak" at the completed puzzle as a reference.

AOL members will have the first opportunity to purchase IM Buddies, which will be available exclusively through December 31st on AOL SHOP, for $39.95 per pair, before they become available in stores nationwide. AOL members can learn about IM Buddies through AOL KW: GIFTS FOR KIDS.

Additional information is available at www.uitlive.com.