It’s fairly safe to say anyone who has seen the new Star Wars film probably fell in love with BB-8, and now you can get your own BB-8 and control him using your smartphone thanks to Sphero.
This is how Sphero describes BB-8:
“Meet BB-8 – the app-enabled Droid that’s as authentic as it is advanced. BB-8 has something unlike any other robot – an adaptive personality that changes as you play. Based on your interactions, BB-8 will show a range of expressions and even perk up when you give voice commands. Set it to patrol and watch your Droid explore autonomously, make up your own adventure and guide BB-8 yourself, or create and view holographic recordings.
It’s now possible to explore the galaxy with your own trusty Astromech Droid by your side. BB-8 is more than a toy – it’s your companion.”
Features
• Authentic Movement // Guide your BB-8 with a smartphone or tablet
• Listens & Responds // BB-8 recognizes and reacts to your voice
• Holographic Communication // Record and view virtual holographic videos with BB-8
• Autonomous Behavior // BB-8 has a mind of its own – explore the Star Wars galaxy together
• Adaptive Personality // Your BB-8’s unique attitude and actions evolve as you interact
• Internal guidance system includes a gyroscope and accelerometer.
• Height: 11.4 cm / Width: 7.3 cm / Weight ~200 g
What’s in the box?
The box contains your very own BB-8 (it’s in two pieces to begin with), a charging cradle, a USB cable and some paperwork.
A Closer Look at BB-8
This is the charging station – think of it like BB-8’s bed!
Here is the bottom part of BB-8.
And here is his head – it just drops onto his body.
And here is the little guy all ready to go!
Getting BB-8 ready
When you have played BB-8 into his charging cradle (bed) and connected the USB cable to your computer or plug socket, BB-8 starts to charge. Whilst he is charging he glows and changes colour and moves around on the cradle. It’s rather fun to watch!
The App
In order to control BB-8, you need to download the free app.
When you first fire up the app and pair it with your BB-8, the app checks if there are any firmware updates for BB-8, and if there are performs the updates for you.
There are three modes within the app. There is also a Settings options, and this one controls various sounds and music options, along with whether voice recognition is on or off.
The next mode in the app is called Drive. This enables you to take manual control of BB-8, using your finger to guide him around the room. You can also choose from a number of commands that are a lot of fun to play with.
The next mode is called Patrol. What this option does is send BB-8 off on his own little adventure. You can monitor his progress from within the app as well.
My favourite mode is called Message which gives you the opportunity to record your own holographic message just like Princess Leia did in the original Star Wars movie.
There are a number of preset holograms you can select from. You view them using the smartphone app whilst holding the phone over or near BB-8.
You can of course record your own message with your own face – and that’s exactly what I did. What? Come on, you know you are going to do the very same thing!
Final Thoughts
As soon as I saw Star Wars The Force Awakens I knew that BB-8 was going to be this generations R2-D2 and that there would be a lot of toys and merchandise. This BB-8 is by far the coolest of all of the BB-8 merchandise and I was very happy to be able to get my hands on one.
Setting up the BB-8 was both simple and quick – and fun to watch him charging. There is nothing worse than having to wait ages to use something like this, so it was a good move to have BB-8 almost interact with his charging cycle.
The app that controls BB-8 is free and is available on iOS, Android and even Windows Phone, yes, Windows Phone! After you pair your device with BB-8, which is simple and fast, then you can start playing with him.
I liked that there were multiple modes to choose from. As I already mentioned my favourite was the message mode because I could record my own holographic message.
The other two modes were also a lot of fun – BB-8 could either be controlled by the app (including being able select a number of pre-programmed items) or have him just go around on his own and explore. Controlling his was very easy, the app tells you exactly what you have to do and reminds you if it detects you are having problems. Although I did have a number of occasions where he just ending up either in a corner or behind something and he just couldn’t get out!
Battery life was very good on BB-8, you get around an hours worth of play, as was his ability to stay upright and in one piece.
BB-8 is most definitely the droid you are looking for – now move along (and buy one)!
BB-8 App-enable droid powered by Sphero is available now priced around £129.99.
