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."
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.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Kim Kardashian's Met Gala corset: designed for drama but a step too far?In The Spotlight Reality TV star shocks with 'impossibly tiny waist' at this year's fashion event, echoing controversies from previous outfits
-
The Buddha of Suburbia: an 'orgiastic odyssey'The Week Recommends Emma Rice brings Hanif Kureishi's 1990 novel to the stage
-
'US tests ties with Israelis'Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproarSpeed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain PrizeSpeed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 winsspeed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughterspeed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopicsSpeed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 GrammysSpeed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
