iDogs Finally Come to UK

Following on from the recent news about Sony canning their much-loved Robot Dog Aibo, SPOnG was glad to hear that UK robo-canine lovers can finally get their mitts on the sought-after iDog, which we’ve been banging on about since last Spring.

The iDog ‘feeds’ on music. No, really, hear us out. As we’ve previously reported, the iDog’s mood changes depending on the kind of music you play – if you want to rock, he’ll show some attitude and flash his red LEDs in a ‘mean n moody’ way. Whereas if you want to chill, the little robo-canine will relax into the vibe, expressing himself with some mellow dancing and soft green and yellow LEDs.

iDog needs your love too – give him a pat on the head and he’ll love you right back. Awwww, sweet. But don’t flick his tail or you’ll make him angry! And be warned, you’ve got to keep ‘feeding’ him more music, 'cos if you don’t, he’ll bark to let you know he’s hungry for more.

Despite actually having nothing to do with Sega, as previously thought, or with Apple for that matter (those crazy Japanese and their total disrespect for patent law!) the iDog is still a must have daft desktoy for gadget freaks and iPod lovers, and now, thanks to the toy geniuses at Hasbro, you can finally go and get one from your local toy store. Or if you can’t even be bothered to do that get one online from the mighty Firebox.com. They're only £30 and will keep you amused for longer than most videogames.

There are many other options concerning what to do with your iDog. You could use it as an iPod speaker on your desk or in the kitchen; you could shove it on the parcel shelf in the car for the full-on cheese effect; you could even use it as a guard dog. Although the robbers would probably just nick it and swap it for a fiver bag of smack.

SPOnG will be buying an iDog for our better half for Valentine's next week. She’ll no doubt pretend to be all excited, but secretly be a bit miffed that its not encrusted with diamonds. In fact, we quietly hope that she’ll give it back to us in a bit of a huff to save us also having to buy one for ourselves. Arf!

If any readers have any other clever ideas what to buy the lady in their life for next week's Commercial Celebration of Romance, please let us know in the forums below. Please. Otherwise we're in some right bother!