06 05 18 - Here Comes Peter Cottontail, Hopping Down the Information Trail

The New Yrok Times-Technology

Here Comes Peter Cottontail, Hopping Down the Information Trail

By J. D. BIERSDORFER
Published: May 11, 2006

The term "rabbit ears" may bring to mind television in the B.C. (before cable) era, but a brand-new electronic bunny adjusts its own ears. Arriving this month from the French company Violet, the Nabaztag Wi-Fi Smart Rabbit is a nine-inch talking pet that hops onto your home network to read the news, weather, text messages and more. It can even signal by moving its ears.

Skip to next paragraph "The idea was to create a new generation of stuff completely independent of the PC," said Rafi Haladjian, a founder of Violet. So why a bunny? "The best object is one that has nothing to do with technology, and the rabbit seemed good," Mr. Haladjian said. Nabaztag — Armenian for rabbit — will be available next week from www.thinkgeek.com for $150.

Nabaztag needs just a wireless network and a power outlet. Owners can set up its actions at www.nabaztag.com. Other free Nabaztag services include wake-up calls and alerts about e-mail messages. A subscription ($15 for three months) lets the bunny handle things like R.S.S. feeds.

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