Mattel's Wi-Fi Barbie Doll Can Chat With Kids

(RTTNews) - Toy maker Mattel, Inc. (MAT) has unveiled an Internet-connected Barbie doll that can have real conversations with kids.

The doll, dubbed "Hello Barbie", is being developed in partnership with San Francisco startup ToyTalk. The doll will have a microphone, a speaker, a small embedded computer with a battery that lasts about an hour, and Wi-Fi hardware. According to a BBC report, the doll will also be able to play interactive games and tell stories and jokes. The toy will use ToyTalk's PullString technology for real conversations.

A prototype of the doll was on display at last weekend's Toy Fair in New York.

'Hello Barbie' is expected to hit the markets by the holiday season this year; and will be priced $74.99.

"The most requested thing that kids have wanted to do with Barbie, and Mattel's done unbelievable amounts of research over the course of decades, is to talk to Barbie," says ToyTalk CEO Oren Jacob. "That's the number one request over all demographics, over all geographies, of all time. For the first time we're doing that for real now."

Mattel is trying to revive the fortune of its iconic doll that has witnessed weak sales in recent time. In the recent fourth quarter, Barbie sales dropped 12%.