My Review of Barbie Sing-A-Long CD Player

Originally submitted at Toys R Us

The Barbie Sing-A-Long CD Player lets you sing to your favorite tunes in Barbie style. Be at the height of fashion with your newest Barbie accessory! Live your rock star fantasy by singing to your favorite tunes.

Barbie Sing-A-Long CD Player features:

• 2 microphones Sing with your...

Barbie Sing-A-Long CD Player

Great for its intended Purpose

By sillyleann from OK on 5/20/2011

 

4out of 5

Pros: Easy To Setup, Crowd Pleaser, Easy Controls, Doesn't Skip

Cons: No Line In Jack

Best Uses: Kids

Describe Yourself: Practical, Movie Enthusiast, Tech Savvy

Was this a gift?: Yes

I bought this for my 4 year old daughter. It has been a lot of fun to use. We have all enjoyed singing our favorite songs together. The controls are simple enough for her to use on her own. It is really nice to have separate volume controls for the music and the microphones. It also has some sound effects that we weren't expecting. She loves to sing and then hit the applause button when we clap to make it sound like a crowd. My 7 year old son likes to tell jokes and then hit the laughter button. This has been fun and a crowd pleaser for sure.

There is only one small speaker on this device. So no, the sound quality is just not that great. My kids don't seem to mind at all, but it is still rather dismal when compared to say a proper CD player. Surprisingly, the microphones do work rather well though.

Despite feeling that it felt cheap initially, this has really stood up to much use. So far, so good (it has been about a month now).

My biggest complaint is that there is no line in jack that would allow you to hook up an MP3 player. I knew this when making the purchase and thought it wouldn't be that big of a deal as the kids still have lots of CDs. However, I find it poor judgement in this day and time. I have had to burn several CD's of music for her which isn't a big deal. I just find that it should be easier by plugging in her MP3 player.

(legalese)

Does Cinderella Have a Car?

I just love the way the mind of a 4 year old little girl works.  My daughter giggles as she asks, "Mom, does Cinderella have a car?"  It cracks her completely up.  She is now in full fledge laughter.  I start to laugh too.  I mean can you imagine Cinderella driving down the freeway.

She continues, "How else does she get to her castle in Florida?"  Yes, my brilliant daughter has figured out that we just saw her in California, but her castle is in Florida.  She is trying to reconcile it all in her head.

As cool as a cucumber, I simply stated, "A princess would never drive to Florida.  I am certain she would fly."  We both laughed - I at a innocent, bright-eyed four year old; she at the thought of a princess having to fly.

My iPad, My Portal

I just thought I would share my experience with my iPad since all the buzz about the iPad 2.  I have had mine from almost the beginning.  I have a Wi-Fi only model.  I call it my portal to the world as it really has become the filter by which I live.  Sad?  But, true.  Could I live without it?  Most certainly I could as I made it 30 years before owning it.  Would I want to?  Not really!

In a nutshell, this little (or big if that is your perspective) device is the control center of all things Me.  I think the single greatest aspect about my iPad is how quick, easy and accessible it is.  When I awake each morning, I have the weather (so I can properly dress the family), calendar, to do list, and a few other key apps.  They are right at my fingertips and easily scanned at the very beginning of the day with only a flick of the finger and a minute or two.

I know there are iPad lovers who sing its praises.  As well, there are iPad bashers that will never see any good in it.  I think the truth (as always) lies somewhere in the middle.  It is not a perfect device.  It has limitations and is only as good as the user.  I also think this is where the greatness begins.  Ok, it is not perfect; we can move on to what it actually can do.  My iPad just works - every time, without fail, and with minimum effort.  I don't have to reboot it constantly nor do I hook it up to my computer very often (and not at all now that I can stream my iTunes movies to it).  There are many, many, many apps to do just about anything you could ask or want.  For the other 10%, my iMac is willing and waiting.  My iPad is a portal to something great, something usable, and something just fits into my life seamlessly.