The iDog is a clever toy for kids. It introduces a unique use of MP3 player. It is made up of hard plastic. It interacts with music and dances when it is plugged into an MP3 player or kept near a loud speaker. Its shipping commenced internationally between March and April 2005. It is available in numerous colors like black, white, lime green, red, pink, tiger print and a Dalmatian print. Decorative clothing for the iDog is also available. It includes scarves, ear-warmers and feet-warmers.

Origin: Credit of designing and manufacturing iDog goes to Sega toys. The toy was marketed by Hasbro in U.S. Its input is from an external music source like an MP3 player, lighting up and dancing. In Italy, Germany and Netherlands it is marketed as eDog.

Features: On its face, it features seven LED lights, several switches on its nose, head and tail. They help it in reacting to user input. It also has many emotions that give different color patterns on its LED lights. It was designed to interact with the iPod although it can work with any 3.5 mm audio jack input and has an integrated speaker. By moving the dog’s tail up and down, you can usually adjust the volume on the toy.

Variety: Sega manufactured Spider-Man like idogs as a promotion for Spider-Man 3. Tiger electronics released an improved version of the iDog with stereo speakers in 2007. It tapped its foot and nodded its head with music being played on it. A puppy version of the iDog-the idog pup was also released in the same year. It had a moving head and poseable ears.

The following year, iDog Clip was released. It is a mini size and fully-functional idog. It can be clipped onto a backpack. idog’s larger version is iDog Dance. Its stands and dances to the music. Stuffed iDog Soft Speaker and the iDog plush puppy were released in 2009.

Age Recommendations: Eight years and above is the recommended age for idogs. If kids don’t carefully read directions, or they are not techies, they need their parents’ help to get their iDog to react properly. To guide their kids, parents need to be very careful in comprehending the given directions.

Cost Effectiveness: Cost is certainly one of the most likeable features about the toy. The Amp’d iDog can retail on sale for about $20 USD. Without sale, the average cost of the toy is below $30 USD. Though it needs just two AA batteries, you may still consider rechargeable batteries if you are using your iDog all the time.

You may expect that the iDog manufactured by Hasbro would do some nice dancing; but the toy is slightly more passive. It may raise its ears up and down, shake its head a little, and tap its foot. Don’t expect it to dance all over your table or floor as it won’t do it. Amp’d versions of the idog feature stereo sound, about equivalent to an economical boom box. It is good enough for children who prefer sharing music with their friends.

Our Mp3 players have become part of our every day lives whether it's on the way to work, in the gym or at home entertaining or just enjoying our favourite songs, because they can bet connected to the majority of sound systems they make the ideal entertainment gadget.

The king of Mp3 players is the iPod, with such a range of iPod's available to the public, Apple have made the most of these technological times. With ranges such as the Nano, Touch and mini out there has been plenty of choice for all those looking to find an iPod.

One of the advantages of these is also the choice of sound systems that are compatible that makes your iPod even more enjoyable. When you mention mp3 players iPod's are normally the answer you receive but the likes of Zune which has been released in USA are now competing for some of the success Apple has seen.

The Creative Zen X-Fi 16GB is also a real value for money model with photo, video, audible and subscription music support. The quality of sound is second to none and it has a sizeable memory which means more room for songs. If you are unsure which one to buy then you can compare cheap Mp3 players online.