Tag Archives: GoSphero

Other Robots

Orbotix Sphero Shipments Delayed

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We’ve covered the Orbotix Sphero here once or twice, and frankly, I’m really excited to get my hands on one of these devices. Unfortunately, the company has announced that they’ll be shipping them later than expected.

Later note: I got mine in and have posted a review of the Sphero, here.

In an email to the world, the CEO has apologized and blamed production delays and also an underestimation of demand. In addition, I got the email above just today, which makes it look like the Spheros (or is it Spheroes?) may end up being pretty scarce this holiday season. That’s too bad. We wish Orbotix well and are still looking forward to seeing this item. Hopefully sooner than later. Hint! Hint!

Update: It turns out that not everyone who pre-ordered a Sphero got the same email as I did. A reader got an email saying that he wouldn’t be getting a Spero by Christmas, and he was offered a free t-shirt to make amends. I have to say that I registered to pre-order mine the same day that they announced availability, and then pre-ordered mine the same day they became available as well, so it could be that the cut-off is pretty short.

Other Robots

Orbotix Announces Pre-Ordering Available for Sphero Robots

OK OK I know it’s not a vacuum cleaner, but it rolls on floors, and technically it’s a robot. (It’s not the first time I’ve covered non-vacuum cleaners – For instance, I’m still waiting for the DreamBots WheeMe massage robot, alas.)

Later note: I got mine in and have posted a review of the Sphero..

I pre-registered to get one of these little robot balls and got an email from Orbotix this morning notifying me that I can reserve one today. So I did.

For those who don’t know, the Sphero is what the company calls a “mixed reality” toy. Meaning that it’s meant for playing virtual games that are mixed with real objects. In this case, it’s a ball that you can control via a Bluetooth connection from your phone. So far, it works with iPhones, iPads, and Android devices. To me, it seems like the kind of thing where maybe it’ll end up being an expensive toy, or maybe it’ll change the world. Who can say?

http://vimeo.com/gosphero/mixed-reality-pong-with-sphero

The price is currently $129.99 US. Something about their store page makes it looks like if you didn’t pre-register, you may be out of luck until 2012. More information can be found at their website, here.