Toyology

Argos seeking toy inventors of tomorrow

Ever looked at the stacked shelves in a toy emporium and thought you could create a competitor? A toy to triumph among the myriads on offer, your very own idea brought to life and marketed alongside the kit from the major manufacturers? Well this years clever PR trick from Argos calls for budding designers to do just that. Send your ideas along to www.argostoycompetition.co.uk with an image and brief description from now till the 1st December and a panel will pick the ten best for a public vote. The winner will see their idea up on the shelves in time for next Xmas and there is £500 as well as the kudos of seeing your creation competing for shelf space.

Halloween must have

Don't fancy dressing up? Trick or treat not up your street? Celebrate the ghoulsih night in a more sombre fashion then and show folk your dark side devotions with a Hannibal Lecter twist! This Zombie Brain mould is designed for jelly and the detail is something else, we went for pink blacmange and a couple of our guests had to leave as we portioned ours up..... £9.95 at FIREBOX 

Terry the Turtle turns the air blue

Terry the Turtle is here to utter infantile and potty-mouthed phrases of a childish nature offering them for your amusement as you wander past his infra-red sensor. From open-mouthed OAP’s, middle-aged mutterers of disdain and youthful yells of encouragement toward the shelled fella you're guaranteed a reaction.His outbursts are harmless 18+ fun, preloaded with over 25 outbursts, stick him in motion sensor mode and delight as he responds to two finger salutes with a random rudity.Terry has a PG mode under his s***y b*****ks but after you’ve eyed the puerile proceedings in adult mode and Terry's wobbly head popping up and his waving arms you’ll not bother. Stick your Terry at the end of the desk and offer an innocent look as passers-by are targeted with a tirade of phrases you’ve only dreamed of yelling in their direction.Is Terry the first toy with a touch of Tourette’s? Of course he F******g is! - £17.95 from Firebox

Superior Circus set is an Xmas top bet

Having created almost every 21st century grafter in action the Playmobil designers have also added suitable abodes and environments where these figures dwell. It is just as important for the Playmobil personnel with the evidence clear after some play time with this Big Top.The sizeable (22 inch high) structure comes with seven performers and flashing lights to attract the crowds. To expand your set there is a range of acts available to create an even more impressive show plus seatinf for up to 30 of your plastic Playmobil people.   £60 at John Lewis

Desktop slamdunk with USB Basketball

Those bin based basketball hoops are so last season, desk based distraction aficionados have these hoop shooting machines about their workspaces. Powered by USB or battery there's a chorus of cheers each time you score, and this total kept tlly on the LED screen. For your consideration as a potential co-workers purchasse this Yule, suck-up to the office manager or sweetener to the receptionist. Score points with fellow staff and you still get to play, an all round hot for just £14.99 at Prezzieplus.

Anatomy of a Lego figure

This fantastic piece of work from artist Jason Freeny takes an intricate look at the anatomy of a Lego figure, we've never made the effort to peel back the outer layers of a Lego figure but this detailed display has us considering the procedure. Head over to Moist Productions for a peek at his Gummi Bear and Balloon animal dissection.

Via Geekologie

Pub quiz with a plastic compere

Fed up of your personality bypass pub quiz compere then take matters into your own hands and employ this 700+ question loaded gizmo to test the brain-power of your gathered group. Select questions from the internal subject matter, listen to his speel and jot down your answers on the supplied score cards. £19.99 from Drinkstuff

Really small robot makes iSobot look Amazonian

At just over 16cm Tomy's iSobot found its place in the record books as the smallest bipedal bot this year, but the boffins have gone for another entry in next years annual with a 3.5cm creation that can walk, steer out of a maze and play footie too. Showcased at this years Robo Japan expo it'll be arriving in Europe sometime in 2008 at a wallet pleasing £22, or Yen 3500 in feb.

Liquid Assets

Stuffing cash under the mattress has of late become a safe-haven for many, this can however lead to some lumps on which to lie, let us solve your savings dilemma. So the I Save cant keep a count of Oligarch amounts but will offer a satisfying animation each time you drop a coin inside and also keep tabs on your total. The more you save, the more the animated on-screen LCD fish performs. Stay in, save cash, have fun....it can be done! £29.95 at Character Online

Transformer Robot isn't movie merchandise

With the hype building over the forthcoming Transformers film the big toy boys will be releasing plenty of gear to tie in soon enough, but like the V-Bot from last year this robotic shape shifter is hoping to simply cash in on the expected craze. From 13 inch upright robot it changes to a four wheeled RC machine using the joysticks which also set it to spin, twist, light up and dance. Its $89.98 at Hammacher now.