14 DAY TRIAL // Toys “R” Us is expanding its CE assortment with the introduction of Apple iPods and ASUS ultraportable notebook PCs (Eee PC) this month. All Toys “R” Us stores in the US will be carrying the new devices, says the toy seller.
Toys “R” Us is well known for selling the best and latest toys, having expanded its offerings on the gadget front (Microsoft's Zune) just last year. The company now reveals in a press release that the iPods and related accessories will be merchandised within specially designed “iPod boutique” wall displays. Parents will be able to treat their offspring to iPod shuffles in silver, blue and pink, nanos “in a selection of recently introduced colors,” as well as everyone's favorite, the iPod touch. Accessories include products from iHome, iTunes gift cards, carrying cases and car adapters.
“The introduction of Apple iPod products reinforces our status as the ultimate shopping destination for kids and furthers our specialist position by offering the best and broadest assortment of products that kids crave,” the company says. As regards notebooks, Toys “R” Us will carry four models of ASUS' Eee PC “that is great for Web surfing, emailing and typing school papers,” says the retailer.
Apple's simplest music player, the iPod shuffle, is an amazingly small iPod. It is just 0.55 ounces (15.6 grams) heavy, 1.07 inches (27.3 mm) high, 1.62 inches (41.2 mm) wide, and 0.41 inches (10.5 mm) thick - that includes the clip. It can put up to 500 songs in your pocket, and now sports “intensely colorful anodized aluminum,” which “complements the simple design of iPod shuffle,” Apple says. However, Toys “R” Us mentioned Apple's recently-introduced color models only when referring to the iPod nano.
The new nano works seamlessly with iTunes importing, managing syncing content, but also the new Genius feature, recently included by Apple in the latest version of iTunes. Apple also decided to include an accelerometer with the device, allowing users to shake-to-shuffle their music, and watch video in landscape view, by turning the device side-ways. This feature alone will have the little ones crazy about their new media player.
Lastly, Apple's iPod touch means serious business. The biggest and most powerful in the iPod line, the touch takes Apple a step further in the gaming market. The iPod touch is touted as “the funnest iPod ever,” being able to run hundreds of apps downloaded from the iTunes App Store.