First there's the always-satisfying work fantasy: "Let's put her jacket over her chair - you know, like she's at Wired or something." Then, as ever, the fabulous pink plastic pumps. All this before you even begin the adventure of digital interactivity and your Barbie starts to speak.
Mattel's new Talk With Me Barbie Doll (hairbrush included) knows how to get girls going. For instance, 8-year-old Katie was close to uncontainable throughout the setup process. "Her outfit is like Ginger Spice!" Katie enthused. And, "No underpants!" as the batteries were being installed in the doll's back and thighs.
Barbie's own repartee, however, won't necessarily keep your girl juices going. Once "programmed" (Barbie's stunning bejeweled choker is in fact an infrared sensor that downloads data from her "computer," a pink-and-blue device plugged into your serial port), she'll repeat thousands of phrases that correspond to your tastes. Select, for instance, volleyball as your activity, and she'll converse with you intimately about the day: "Katie, let's have a party after the game!" Or, with more girlish gusto: "Katie, you're an incredible volleyball player!" Still, gusto unflagging: "Katie, you're a great athlete!" Choose baby-sitting and Barbie is equally supportive: "Katie, babies really love you" and "Katie, you have beautiful green eyes."
For kids not too self-esteem-challenged, however, these affirmations can get repetitive, and once you've clicked ceaselessly through the CD-ROM's choices - dating, horseback riding, shopping, and more - and have graphically dressed your doll for each, there's not a whole lot left to this Barbie but Barbie herself.
Of course, in the end that's all most 8-year-old girls are really after. That, her hairbrush, and her silky long hair.
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Full-Service Traveler M Is for Modem ...
Affirmations Barbie
