Sphero Announces iPhone-Controlled BB-8 Droid From 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'

[PinkyMacGodess]

Until the make it so that it will charge itself, it's still just an expensive toy.

And does it have a camera? That would be cool, a 'droid' with a camera that will do 'patrol duty', and pop into its charger when it needs to top itself up...

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

Was surprised how small it was in the videos I saw, but still looks fun. Not just for me, but more so to interact with my 2 cats.

The things we do to animals...

 

[Xenc]

That's a nice looking house.

 

[ThunderSkunk]

Ok, I'm impressed. Hopefully there'll be future software upgrades that will add some amount of navigational autonomy.

Though I still want a remote control/roomba-like R2, and a 2' tall RC imperial walker, more than anything.

 

[fieldsphotos]

Well, got my ready for pickup email from BB&B this morning! Will hopefully have mine in a few hours.

 

[Mlrollin91]

Well, got my ready for pickup email from BB&B this morning! Will hopefully have mine in a few hours.

Got my email as well. Pulled up to Bed Bath and there are a bunch of people waiting. So happy I did the online reserve!

 

[nortofthe13th]

That's WICKED!! And with voice control and augmented reality!

 

[DMinTX]

Thanks, that's good news. My ten year old and I love Artoo not just from the movies but also from Star Wars: The Clone Wars CGI series. He saves the day a lot there, too!

Rumor has is that part of at least Lucas' backstory is the entire saga unfolds thru the eyes of R2-D2 and C3PO. The theory is they are our guides.

Sounds plausible and kind of cool since, as droids, they are not emotionally attached and are observers more so than doers.

 

[Mlrollin91]

If you tell BB-8 "it's a trap", he runs away!

 

[DMinTX]

(In my best naysayer voice) Fail without the levitating head...

 

[fieldsphotos]

Well, got my ready for pickup email from BB&B this morning! Will hopefully have mine in a few hours.

BB&B fully came through!! I now have my droid in hand! Bringing it into work to patrol my cube, LOL. I did cancel my Amazon order, so one might free up for someone else.

 

[bchreng]

If it hasn't been built into the app already, they should incorporate a way to record BB-8 with the iPhone's camera while simultaneously using iPhone to control the BB-8.

 

[budselectjr]

Best Buy has a link now: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/sphero-...hite/4316601.p?id=1219726336859&skuId=4316601

Not able to complete a transaction tho.

Ordered two a little while ago from BB. Just got the shipping notice.

 

[Regbial]

that's one nice looking house...

 

[pythagorasuk]

Where do you order it??

Must order it.

Firebox.com

BS. It doesn't go on sale until midnight.

Midnight local time

And Saturday as promised.

 

[xraytech]

Got mine today at the Apple Store

 

[kazmac]

Must resist...

cannot resist...

I hear my wallet cry out in it's best C-3P0 imitation: "we're doomed..."

 

[burne]

(In my best naysayer voice) Fail without the levitating head...

Close enough:

 

[cpzahner]

Can't find it on Amazon. If anyone finds it can you post the link please!

Online place that has them in stock still is sprint.com do a google search. "Sprint sphero bb8" you will find it... They are already shipping mine.

 

[cpzahner]

I ordered it from the official site, I didn't even think to check other retailers. Oh well, no idea when it will actually ship.

If you ordered thru sphero you just pre ordered and will be releasing in October. You can order one and get it shipped right away from sprint.com

 

[Clix Pix]

He's adorable!

 

[rctlr]

I'd love to have a BB8, but it's essentially a ball, and I have two dogs. BB8 would not survive long in our household.

 

[austinpike]

Lucky break for this company... saw stacks of the original Sphero in the Target clearance bin, they weren't selling even at ~70% off....

 

[mfvisuals]

Useless toy...

..Where do I buy one?

On second thoughts it probably has a 3 minute battery life and will break after 10 minutes of use.

I managed to get one.

It has an advertised average of 60 minutes of battery life.

Pretty awesome and definitely leaves room for additional content and functionality to be added to it later.

EDIT: By the way, I got mine through Craigslist since all the local retailers were sold out.

 

[mfvisuals]

Well, to be completely fair, it is being marketed as a toy, and not something more. Not really sure why anyone would infer otherwise.

Because humans enjoy inferring.

I bet they did the full sized BB-8 that was in the movie shoot. Coser to Christmas, my guess they will sell a full sized BB-8 special edition for just under a grand for the hardcore fans.

Sphero didn't do the full-size BB-8, although a full-size one was actually made for the movie: http://www.starwars.com/news/droid-...s-the-force-awakens-team-brought-bb-8-to-life

So the holographic dose not come from BB-8 itself?? And no camera on it at all.

No and no. Although the augmented reality features are pretty cool, although I have trouble getting it to work correctly (the augmented reality features) currently. But I might be doing something wrong.

A camera would be a good idea, but the challenge would be powering it.

And all the sounds come from app on iPhone or iPad not from BB-8.

Correct, there are no speakers on the BB-8. I'm guessing the lack of speakers and camera is how the battery life is so good. But when you're controlling it with the iPad or iPhone directly in front of you, the audio from the app is enough to make it seem more engaging.

This sounds like a challenge ;-) I am sure someone will hack one shortly to add a camera and maybe even a pico projector.

Great. Next on MacRumors: How to Jailbreak and Mod Your BB-8!