TC50: Toys Spring To Life With ToyBots Internet Magic

Eventually, it's probably safe to assume that all electronics will be in some way connected to the Internet. As long as you're not worried about a Skynet-style Terminator apocalyptic future, that's probably a good thing. With that in mind, the online gaming network SGN began working on a secret project to connect children's toys to the Internet. Today, ToyBots is being unveiled at TechCrunch50 . Basically, the ToyBots' vision is to be the platform that any toy maker can use to make sure their devices have a portal to the Internet, and all the data potential that comes with it. SGN and ToyBots founder Shervin Pishevar describes the key idea as a "Kindle of toys" or an "iPhone inside of a toy." The thought there being that the Kindle works so well because of the network behind it that allows the device to seamlessly connect to Amazon's extensive collection of books. Likewise, ToyBots is announcing a partnership with a major telecom provider (they'll announce in the next week or so) that will allow toy makers to set up pre-paid service for their toys (that is, have wireless costs baked into the product, like the Kindle, rather than making customers pay a monthly fee). TechCrunch50 Conference 2009 : September 14-15, 2009, San Francisco