A Fashion Icon Finds Her Voice
There's one every year, and Mattel's Chat Divas Barbie — which comes equipped with speakers that can be hooked up to an iPod or another MP3 player — is widely anticipated to be this holiday season's "it" toy. Like most high-tech toys, she's a mixed blessing. Schoolgirls may feel like rocking out with Barbie when she's playing their personal song list. But keep that iPod plugged in, because the three original songs Barbie sings are a sure cure for pediatric insomnia. Blondie also has a digital beat detector implanted in her head that lets her "lip synch" to your favorite tunes, and she can answer a cell phone when you hold it up to her ear ("It's Barbie. Yes? Totally! See you in a bit"). Don't worry, Tickle Me Elmo: for $29.99, she will never live up to you.