Dinkie Robots, Big Annoyance

Perhaps the only thing more annoying than a Furby is an entire family of Furby knockoffs. Which, of course, means kids probably will love the electronic cooing and giggling of Tekno Dinkie Robots, a family of digital toys that demand only slightly less attention than a toddler in a cutlery shop.

The pint-size $25 robots, made by Manley ToyQuest and available in October, can walk, light up and turn their heads as well as convey a range of simple emotional states through a built-in speaker and liquid crystal display.

Sophisticated play this is not. The robots like to hear human voices through the built-in microphone and can detect motion. Care revolves around brushing their teeth and keeping them free of computer viruses.

We kept one on our desk for two weeks and managed to keep it alive--but just barely. When it’s on, a Dinkie Robot practically begs to be thrown through a window with its barrage of insistent noises.

The real draw of Dinkie Robots--and the real moneymaker for Manley ToyQuest--is that all six members of the family (sold separately, of course) can communicate with each other. The result is a cacophony of squealing and screeching sure to delight kids and grate on parents.