Looking for some great high-tech toys for the pop culture fans on your holiday gift list? Pop Insider Editor-in-Chief Marissa DiBartolo stopped by NBC Chicago’s Tech Trends to show off some of the year’s top tech toys from the world of movies and video games. For more on the products featured in this segment, check out the product notes below.


JURASSIC WORLD ALPHA TRAINING BLUE (MATTEL)

  • Alpha Training Blue is a fully interactive velociraptor that responds to your commands, and learns as you train her! This toy features cutting edge robotic and animatronic technology, for incredible life-like movement and authenticity.
  • It has four modes of play:
    • Training Mode: You can train Blue to execute commands, and bond with her through positive reinforcement when she performs them correctly
    • Total Control: Blue can also function as a fully operational animatronic toy, and you can take control of her head, neck, and facial movement via remote control
    • Guard Mode: Blue will protect your turf and patrol for intruders, interacting with her surroundings
    • RC Mode: You can also operate Blue as an RC toy (the remote has a joystick that will allow you to control her leg movement)
  • Age: 8+
  • MSRP: $249.99
  • Available: Amazon, shop.mattel.com

LIGHT PAINTING WANDS (WOW! STUFF)

  • Harry Potter and Hermione Granger’s wands, scanned from the original movie props, are ideal for Harry Potter fans, or fans of the Fantastic Beasts film series can opt for Newt Scamander’s wand for a truly authentic magical experience.
  • The Light Painting Wands are hand painted and cast in a high-grade resin to give them a weight and balance that’s authentically pleasing in the hands of all wizards and witches and make them beautiful replicas of those seen on screen, right down to the scars and patinas.
  • Each wand features an ultra-bright LED tip, which is activated by a secret button on the handle of the wand.
  • When you download the free Wow! Stuff Light Painting app, you can use the app to film yourself or other wizards and witches as they use the wand in low light produces extraordinary images.
  • Paint your name in the sky or replicate duelling battles then share from your phone directly to friends or via social media.
  • The app is available for both iOS and Android.
  • MSRP: $30
  • Available: Amazon

OVERWATCH MAGNETIC LEVITATING SNOWBALL (ACTIVISION BLIZZARD)

  • Keep cool and be the coolest with the adorable hovering Snowball!
  • Featuring several face plates to suit any mood, and very scientific levitating abilities, Snowball is the chillest desk buddy anyone could ask for.
  • Comes with one Magnetic Levitating Snowball, one magnetic base and an AC/DC adapter.
  • Snowball faceplate features multiple facial expressions and the base features a pulsating snowflake graphic while charging.
  • Age: 15+
  • MSRP: $175
  • Available: gear.blizzard.com (available for pre-order now)

SPIDER-DRONE, THE OFFICIAL SPIDER-MAN HOMECOMING MOVIE EDITION, POWERED BY SKY VIPER (SKYROCKET)

  • Bring Spider-Man’s emblem to life with this Sky Viper Spider-Drone toy.
  • It has auto and manual flight modes to suit beginners and advanced fliers, and its flight assist functions let you land and hover smoothly.
  • The authentic design of this Sky Viper Spider-Drone toy is styled after Dronie in the Spider-Man: Homecoming movie.
  • Age: 12+
  • MSRP: $89.99
  • Available: Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart

About the author

Bill Reese

Bill Reese

Bill Reese is Business Operations Manager at Adventure Media & Events, where he's worked since 2014. A former editor at Playbill and graduate of SUNY–Purchase, he spends most weekends rooting for the New York Red Bulls pro soccer team and making subway systems out of Brio trains with his little boy Jonah.

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