ThinkGeek's Play-Doh 3D Clay Printer is the Ultimate Children's Toy
Kyle Towers — April 4, 2013 — Life-Stages
This Play-Doh 3D clay printer offered by ThinkGeek has set a new standard for children's toys.
The clay printer connects to one's iPad and can print designs straight from there. What is most special about it is its ability to print the user's own design. This ability will likely attract adults as well considering the surprisingly low price. Users can also share their designs with each other so anyone can make a physical copy of your vision. The printer is able to mix three colors at once to create more fleshed-out designs.
It's great that the printer was able to maintain the childish and playful aesthetic, despite being a technical toy. It's officially not fair -- children's educational toys have become substantially better than my generation's ant farms and bouncy balls.
The clay printer connects to one's iPad and can print designs straight from there. What is most special about it is its ability to print the user's own design. This ability will likely attract adults as well considering the surprisingly low price. Users can also share their designs with each other so anyone can make a physical copy of your vision. The printer is able to mix three colors at once to create more fleshed-out designs.
It's great that the printer was able to maintain the childish and playful aesthetic, despite being a technical toy. It's officially not fair -- children's educational toys have become substantially better than my generation's ant farms and bouncy balls.
Trend Themes
1. Child-friendly 3D Printers - With the release of the Play-Doh 3D clay printer, a trend towards child-friendly 3D printers has started, opening up opportunities for companies to develop more sophisticated and safe 3D printers and 3D printing accessories for children.
2. Customizable 3D Printing - The Play-Doh 3D clay printer's ability to print user-designed objects highlights a trend toward customizable 3D printing, providing opportunities for companies to develop software and hardware that offer customized 3D printing solutions for beginners and professionals.
3. Affordable 3D Printing - The Play-Doh 3D clay printer's surprisingly low price opens up a trend for affordable 3D printing toys for children, creating opportunities for companies to develop affordable 3D printers and accessories for children and beginners.
Industry Implications
1. Toy Industry - The Play-Doh 3D clay printer is poised to disrupt the toy industry, providing opportunities for companies to develop more educational and interactive toys that incorporate 3D printing technology.
2. Educational Industry - The Play-Doh 3D clay printer provides opportunities for the educational industry to incorporate 3D printing technology into classroom instruction, as well as for developing educational toys that foster learning and creativity through 3D printing.
3. 3D Printing Industry - The Play-Doh 3D clay printer sets a trend towards safe and accessible entry-level 3D printers, creating opportunities for companies to develop more sophisticated but still affordable 3D printers and accessories for beginners.
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