The Online Life of Toys

BY PAIGE BOWIE - CTW Features

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Forget the pink convertible. These days Barbie�s speeding into cyberspace, along with lots of other new toys. Welcome to the new world of child�s play, where only half of the fun is in the physical world

Shining Stars in cyberspace:

Shining Stars plush toys invite youngsters to an online play area where they can chat and name a star.We�re seeing �the tip of the iceberg� when it comes to Internet connectivity for toys,says Andy Gatto, CEO of Stars marketer Russ Berrie Co. Welcome to Webkinz world: The collectible critters Ganz introduced in 2005 popularized the idea of linking an online community with a simple toy

There was a time when most toys were tangible and children played with them alone or with other youngsters close by. Those days are vanishing.

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