Is the WowWee Rovio Right for You?:

Guide to the WowWee Rovio - It is both disconcerting and exciting when we realize that we are living science fiction. What authors dreamed of only decades ago is now possible (except for those flying cars - yet). As companies around the world harness technology and push it ever further, the dream becomes commonplace, and a new one is born. WowWee is on the cutting edge of these advances, putting high tech into our homes. One of their most progressive products is the Rovio Mobile Webcam. Besides having the "wow" factor, what can Rovio do? What exactly is it? How does it work? And do you need to roll this ground-breaking piece of robotic equipment into your life?

What is the Rovio? - The best way to understand WowWee Rovio Wi-Fi Enabled Robotic WebCam is to see it in action. In this YouTube video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBgiEykkH9E&feature=player_embedded#), you can see how the Rovio works and get a sense of what it is. The Rovio looks like a probe NASA would send to take pictures of Mars. It has the same type of compact build and three rugged, high-profile, and omni-directional wheels. And essentially, the Rovio works like these space probes. Instead of snapping shots of a distant planet, however, you can use the Rovio to record in your own home, office, or anywhere robots are welcome. Why would this be useful? The potential applications are endless, but here are some of the more common:

*If you have gone out of town, or even to the office for the day, you can leave Rovio at home to watch your pets. If you're wondering if they're digging into your collection of Italian leather shoes or they've discovered where you keep the good treats, you can monitor them easily with Rovio.
*If you're away from your family, you can still see, hear, and interact with them from a world away. You don't have to miss the bedtime story. Along the same lines, if you have an elderly parent living with you, you can give them (and yourself) independence by going out and being able to check in when you need to.
*You can video conference with coworkers when you are traveling. Now, you never have to be away from work!
*You may want home videos to preserve your child's adorable toddler days, but whenever you turn the camera on, the fun stops. The Rovio allows you to video more covertly so you get the cute shots you want.
*You can give a virtual house tour.
*Monitor your home while you are away. You can keep an eye on things, and if something should happen - pipes burst, you discover your plants need watering - you can call in the reinforcements.
*You can use it as you would a web cam.
*You, your family, and your friends can sit around your house, playing with the Rovio. It's as good a reason as any.

How does this WowWee probe do all of this? The Rovio is Wi-Fi enabled, which allows you to control it anytime and from anywhere you have an internet connection, whether via computer, smartphone, or video game console. After an easy set-up, you will gain access to Rovio's interface, which is very user-friendly. You simply tell Rovio to move with the easy arrow-oriented controls. If you can play a video game, you can use Rovio. And if you can't play a video game, you can still use Rovio. This is all done remotely so you can be in Beijing and check in on your dog in Toledo. There is a multi-angle head mounted, moveable camera that you can adjust. You can either move Rovio step-by-step, which is helpful if it’s in a new location, or you can set waypoints so it navigates on its own. You can also plot a course and set Rovio on autopilot. An LED headlight helps you see in dim conditions, and you can send Rovio back to its charging dock with just a push of a button from a world away or from the next room.

What are People Saying about the WowWee Rovio?:

If you read consumers reviews written when the Rovio first launched in 2008, you will notice a common theme that the Rovio is a great idea but it needs some work and that customers wanted to love it, but there were issues that they felt WowWee should address. WowWee has done just that and has mandated improvements and updates that take the Rovio from a great idea to a great product. Improvements were made to security and software, the LED light, and instructions and user guides, and applications for use with smartphones were added, as were self-updating programs. Robots-Dreams calls this a "highly functional and extremely useful robot appliance." PC Pro calls it an "ingenious and entertaining toy." Associated Content was impressed that it allowed you to "mobilize your internet conversations." Is the Rovio right for you? It depends on your need to have your internet conversations mobilized, your need to watch your home when you're not there, or your need to have a product that is just fun and technologically advanced. The price is likely to be a big factor in your decision as well. When the Rovio first launched, you could pick it up for $300, which may have been quite a price tag for a fun toy but worth it for a way to communicate with your children. The great thing about technology is that it evolves, and it typically becomes less expensive. And the great thing about shopping on Amazon is that the prices become even lower. Today, the Rovio is available for $140. This puts it well within reach for many more budgets. WowWee is an innovative and exciting company, at the forefront of the integration of technology, entertainment, and usability and brings it into your home with the Rovio, Robosapien, and other intriguing and fun products. Whether you opt for the pure fun of a WowWee Robosapien or the practical fun of a Rovio, you are participating in science-fiction now.

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