how cool is this new toy

[CraigMitchell]

Check out the video ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... cm45Ur_ZHA

http://www.holografxmagic.com/

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/7/prweb10915540.htm


Holograms, three-dimensional images, were once only the stuff of science fiction, starring in movies like Star Wars and Iron Man. Now holograms are not only a reality, they’re the product of HolograFX, named the hottest new toy in France that’s soon to reach the United States.

HolograFX, the latest invention from Plano, Texas-based specialty toy company Goliath Games, allows children to create holographic images – including self-images – with the use of a hologram theater, magician-quality illusions and yes – an app. This toy developer knows that today’s children rely on Smartphones for endless entertainment, and the exclusive downloadable app was the final touch in developing the special effects needed to put on an incredible hologram effects show.

With realistic three-dimensional imagery and ‘now you see it, now you don’t’ tricks, HolograFX uses an illusionary technique known as Pepper’s Ghost to deliver Hollywood-quality special effects. Entertainment magnets like Disney have used this technique for large-scale theme park attractions and movie effects, and now children (and fun-loving adults) can mystify friends and family with these same illusions.

Designed by an up-and-coming magician from Los Angeles, California, HolograFX is already garnering acclaim as the hottest toy of 2013 in the European market. It was recently named the Grand Prix du Jouet (Toy of the Year) in the electronics category as well as the Grand Prix Du Jouet De L' Annee (Overall Toy of the Year) in France, beating out 13 other category winners for the top spot. With a reputation of predicting some of the hottest-selling toys in the United States, France’s toy spotters – who previously awarded top-sellers like Paper Jamz, V-Smile and Barbie Girl – are putting HolograFX in this elite category.

"We are honored that HolograFX has received the top toy honors in France, and we can’t wait for the US market to experience what we loved when we discovered this toy – a unique blend of leading-edge mobile technology and magician-quality effects,” says David Norman, president of Goliath Games. “Like a lot of adults and children, I remember the Star Wars scene where Princess Leia pleas for help via a holographic message. It seemed so futuristic at the time, yet now we are making imagery like this a fun reality with HolograFX.”

HolograFX is available for preorder for $35 per set at Rockethub.com, and will debut at Toys R Us and other major U.S. retailers in the fall, 2013. The complete set includes:

The hologram theater
18 amazing illusions
Downloadable app available at Google Apps Marketplace for Android™ and The App Store for iPhone™ and iPod Touch™

[Kent Gunn]

Pepper's Ghost does not equal hologram. It might be a cool toy. I don't think it's actually using holography though.

[Steve Bryant]

Quite a deal at $35.99 if it includes the Tenyo-like magic tricks along with the pseudo-holographic theater.

[Bill Mullins]

Pepper's Ghost does not equal hologram. It might be a cool toy. I don't think it's actually using holography though.

They aren't the first to miscall the technology. When the late Tupac Shakur's image was played at a music festival last year, using Pepper's Ghost technology, it was widely described in the media as a hologram.

[Jonathan Townsend]

Dircksian Phantasmagoria.

If it were a hologram the image would have depth and show as properly three dimensional within the viewing range of the original relative to the plane of the hologram itself.

[CraigMitchell]

Still looks like plenty fun

[Gordon Meyer]

I don't know, I think they could learn some lessons from Short Attention Span Theatre. I don't see many today having the patience for this.

[PickaCard]

Wow! It's really cool. The actors are a little campy but it looks like a lot of fun for under $40. I wonder if all it does is that 6 minute show?

[Steve Bryant]

From the ads it seems that the fun part is inventing your own shows. Just record your actions on your iPhone (a black background would seem handy) and then place your phone in the "projection booth" and let Pepper's Ghost take it from there, so that it looks as if a hologram of yourself is floating in space. "Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi."

[Jonathan Townsend]

Got me wondering how close this can get to superimposing ghosts onto regular displayed video - sort of updated Winky Dink.

[CraigMitchell]

Mine just arrived ... it's a LOT of fun ... an incredibly creative use of technology + magic in a toy set.

If you enjoy playing with gizmo's - you'll have fun with this ( or at least your inner kid will

[Richard Kaufman]

It performs multiple shows, with more being added to the app. I have one. It's cool as hell.

[Matthew Field]

They're on sale in the U.K. at Argos, a catalog store. Very, very clever.

Matt Field

[NYCJoePItt]

Oh my gawd, as a kid/teen I would have loved this kind of toy . I wonder how long my inner kid can resist buying one as an adult, lol.

[Richard Kaufman]

Like all good magic, it's one thing to watch this on a video, and an entirely different thing to actually see it live. "WOW" is the immediate reaction of the spectator.

[Richard Kaufman]

And you can buy it now on amazon at 26% off retail: only $32.
http://www.amazon.com/Goliath-Games-361 ... =holograFX

[Jeff Haas]

Richard, this is connected to Mark Setteducati...there might be an interesting article in it.

Jeff

[I.M. Magician]

Does this work with an iPad or iPad mini?

[CraigMitchell]

It works with iphone or equivalent size Android ...

The phone rests in a special "holder" which won't accommodate an ipad / mini size device.

[Doug Thornton]

A brief article about Mark and his invention :
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainmen ... -1.1517735

[Dustin Stinett]

A brief article about Mark and his invention :
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainmen ... -1.1517735

It's not Mark's "invention," though he certainly had a hand in it. See my article in the December issue of Genii for more details.

And speaking of that article...

Richard, this is connected to Mark Setteducati...there might be an interesting article in it.

Richard beat you to it: he assigned the project to me in July or August (just before Magic Live, which is where I first saw the set and first met Andre)!

[Jonathan Townsend]

Don't for get to add miku hatsune

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5mefdcnMsU

[Bill Mullins]

More on Hatsune.

And here's some technical background. It sounds like there have been some advances on the projection screen.