Unbelievably, we nearly missed one of the coolest lifestyle gadgets at the Tokyo Toy Show because it looked vaguely like the Ants Life Studio from Bandai, but the ants weren’t dancing along to your iPod the last time we checked. Featuring over 100 different ocean creatures, the Private Ocean from Sega Toys combines a color-changing backlit display with a choice of backgrounds, touch sensors, date/time, and an external connection for a digital audio player.
For the ocean setting itself you can choose from sunrise and and sunset modes for the sea creatures to swim around and play in. Touching the top sensor activates the fish to swim together and form the date and time before dispersing once again, but touching the bottom sensor bar scares them off from the point where you touch. Apparently, the top buttons allow for “communication” with the little guys inside as well, though we aren’t sure to what extent.
Now for the kicker: When you connect your iPod or other audio source to the Private Ocean, the music will play through the internal speakers as the fish and other sea creatures dance to the music!
Of course, we didn’t realize almost all of these features until we got home, so our video is a bit on the weak side. Once it comes out in October, the Private Ocean is the first on my personal to-buy gadget list for my very un-Hawaiian desk, as long as they stay away from the jellyfish.
Buy the Private Ocean in the Online Shop
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