Even Barbie has a smart home now

Mattel's new Barbie Hello Dreamhouse ($300) is so cutting-edge that it "makes last year's version seem like a rat-infested hovel," says Tim Moynihan at Wired. Most prominently, it responds to voice commands — so simply say the words and the front door will open and the elevator descend. But the house does 100 other things, too. "Would you like to throw a mermaid party? One with disco lights and delicious pretend baked goods for the guests? Just ask, bro." And with the house's customizable sound effects, you can even make the toilet "cluck like a dang chicken."
Yes, $300 is steep for a toy. Still, that's "a crazy-good price for a home that's way, way better than yours."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
The US Open's controversial 'superstars' doubles format
Talking Point New shortened competition attracts star pairings and bigger audiences to grand slam tennis event
-
Sudoku medium: August 21, 2025
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
-
Sudoku hard: August 21, 2025
The Week's daily hard sudoku puzzle
-
Trump says Smithsonian too focused on slavery's ills
Speed Read The president would prefer the museum to highlight 'success,' 'brightness' and 'the future'
-
Trump to host Kennedy Honors for Kiss, Stallone
Speed Read Actor Sylvester Stallone and the glam-rock band Kiss were among those named as this year's inductees
-
White House seeks to bend Smithsonian to Trump's view
Speed Read The Smithsonian Institution's 21 museums are under review to ensure their content aligns with the president's interpretation of American history
-
Charlamagne Tha God irks Trump with Epstein talk
Speed Read The radio host said the Jeffrey Epstein scandal could help 'traditional conservatives' take back the Republican Party
-
CBS cancels Colbert's 'Late Show'
Speed Read 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' is ending next year
-
Shakespeare not an absent spouse, study proposes
speed read A letter fragment suggests that the Shakespeares lived together all along, says scholar Matthew Steggle
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wife
speed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show