Yesterday CNET.com.au took a brief break from casting a critical eye over sleek silver chassis and ventured into a world of pink cupcakes, fairy floss and fluffy bunnies.
Surprisingly, the MP3 player features a miniSD slot
What compelled us to do such a thing? At a venue awash with pastel, Mattel launched Barbie Girls, a "play experience" that incorporates an online environment and a doll-shaped MP3 player.
The Web site offers a virtual world where girls create customisable avatars that wander around the fuschia-hued town square, try on outfits and chat with one another.
In the wake of current concerns regarding online predators, Mattel was keen to emphasise the safety measures in place, including the fact that members can only use vocabulary from an approved list when chatting to online friends. Banned words include numbers other than 2 or 4 (allowing girls to express themselves in text speak but not to provide their phone number) and names. This makes for a more anonymous experience, but can also be very frustrating -- when the chat feature was demonstrated at the launch, several innocuous words were censored, replaced by hash symbols and hearts.
The other part of the play experience is the 512MB MP3 player, which retails for AU$129.95. It can be used to hold songs and store files, but its big function is to act as a "key" to unlock features at barbiegirls.com. Plug your doll into the supplied dock, and you'll get access to a range of accessories and pets with which to festoon your online self.
So will girls go in for all this? At the launch, a herd of glitter-faced 10-year-olds plucked from the local child model agency cheered on cue as the virtues of Barbie Girls were extolled. "I didn't think I would like it because I'm 10 and a bit old for Barbie, but I love it and use it every night!" said one cherubic child, her back arching slightly as she was prodded with a stick by a Mattel minder. (OK, not really. But there was an unnerving marketing vibe about her phrasing.)
Some images from the launch:
Just one of the girly scenes at the venue.
Delicious sweet treats.
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barbie4654654
27/07/2007 02:48 AM
plzzz give me a code!!!!!! for barbie girls!!!!!!!! and it better be right or i am calling the cops!!!!!!!!!!!!! plz!!!!!!!!!!!
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princessmisty153
02/08/2007 08:27 AM
where do you find the barbiethat you take the head of and stick in the computer i really want a code my user name is hottiehotgurl and plz how much are the head thingy barbie?plz i need to have somthing cool
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alicabeth
03/08/2007 07:52 PM
please I want more C O D E S please tha codes for tha special stuff if anyone has tha codes please please tall me thank yu everyone
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unknown
05/09/2007 05:37 PM
**** i need some codes or somthing if not i'll just buy it tommorow oh and can you buy barbie mp3 players in sydney?
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girlycat
07/09/2007 05:39 AM
who has a b girl and a code barbiegirls232
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AmberNicoleBoy
13/09/2007 02:33 PM
I love Blue Barbie Girls Mp3 Playee
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layla
14/09/2007 04:05 AM
where u can buy this cool mp3 player?
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barbieswan1122
15/09/2007 10:32 AM
where do i go to down load songs to my blue mp3 player?
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barbie23456123
21/09/2007 08:25 AM
i wish i had a barbiegirl so badly can they make it a little cheeper like 20$ or 15$ that will be great and then they show it on tv and say its cheeper and how much it coast's and what store the barbiegirls r in almost everyone will buy the barbiegirls includeing me
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angelprincess22
22/09/2007 11:16 AM
this is cool.. im probably getting onw tomorrow..cool
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shaden
02/10/2007 01:13 AM
make the barbie girls lower price cause i want to buy 5 barbie girls dont do a be chat let us write watever we want and dont block any thing because i feel sorry for girls who dont have a barbie girl they cant buy it because it is expensive do the site like real live improve the site downlod more cloth cause some girls are bored from these cloth and put in more stores and games real shows and lets girls and boys merry each other and have children and let them have mades when they register ask them are u boy or a girl then ask them if they said boy ask them do u want to a driver,son ,or a prince(dad) if they said girl then ask them do u want to be a made,girl(daughter),or a princess(mom) and also do nicer rooms and biger rooms if they want to do a new house then they should buy one ask them what size they want there houses to be ok thanks if u did all of this let us in barbie girls .com write whatever we want plz plz plz plz plz plz plz i asked many friends they agreed with me so plz plz plz do it ill like u so much!plz plz plz plz plz plz plz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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mamahog
09/10/2007 03:57 PM
i have a code barbiegirls232 but just use it once ok
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Tenant
11/10/2007 01:49 AM
I am destpret for a barbiegirl iv begged my pearents and they said maybe for xmas.I wish they were cheaper like $15!
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courtbourt124
08/11/2007 01:12 AM
i already have one its green
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luvufamily
09/11/2007 08:41 PM
Wow!! its very very Cooooooooooooooooooooooool!!!!!!
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lollypopforone
15/11/2007 04:33 PM
I agree with the other girls.I wish they would be alot cheaper.$60!!!!!!!!Who would pay that much!?!?!?I would buy them at $30.
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brookie
17/11/2007 05:05 PM
ive got abarbie girl orange
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birdsfan
20/11/2007 06:53 AM
What code is for fashions?
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SilverOutfit
21/11/2007 11:38 PM
I don't know. I hope I find it.
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JulieWaterloo
26/11/2007 11:11 PM
Somebody knows else codes, besides barbiegirls232, contact me. JulieWaterloo at barbiegirls.com
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ERPotter
27/11/2007 08:54 AM
I am despret for a barbie girl But I am going to get one soonP.S were do you type in the codes?
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bellingua
01/12/2007 07:56 PM
im getting one as well but i don't know where to get them from can someone please tell me? and how much do they cost? and how do u type in the code
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JulieWaterloo
06/12/2007 06:16 PM
I know only that code: barbiegirls232. Don't ask me.
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heidi
08/12/2007 03:28 PM
$60.00 big w tell me ur password
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pinky
23/12/2007 03:48 PM
im getting 1 for xmas which is only 2 days away YAY!!!!! (: ps it is pink hehehehe
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pinky
23/12/2007 08:24 PM
how many times can u use the codes
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sashie95
24/12/2007 11:38 AM
you can only use it once!!!
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hpla
24/12/2007 01:55 PM
esta chidisima!!!!!!!!!!
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Barbie girl
26/12/2007 09:29 AM
I am a barbie girl on barbiegirls.com please add me i'm kimdiva, I know 5 codes! And they work.
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barbiegirl
30/12/2007 05:52 PM
its not just a code you need you need to put in a barbie girl special cd to downlaod barbie gilr the codes dont do anything but get you money lol so you need the cd or it wont work sorry i have one tho so i now ok well i am sorry all of the ppl who dont have 1 ok but you need a special cd that comes with the barbie girl if you have anymore questions like where is the cd or something e-mail me at alwaysbroken292@yahoo.com ok bye bye
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Ikytina
04/01/2008 07:33 AM
What? You know 5 codes? Please tell me a code for fashions.
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HANNAPINKY
12/01/2008 09:29 PM
where did i get the unlock for barbie girls
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phoebe
13/01/2008 09:13 PM
i have a barbiegirl mp3 player it is pink just like the one all the way at the top of the page it is so cool but i need help when i go to club beauty with my barbiegirl i click give a makeover but it keeps saying i get a makeover how come?
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QueenTiki
27/01/2008 03:47 AM
It is easy, Phoebe. My friend can goes to Club Beauty. She tell me how I can give a makeover or get it. To give a makeover, click on the character and click the button with "Give a makeover" and look If she wants to get a makeover or not. If you don't want to give a makeover, click "cancel". Maybe, you know that. But If you want to get a makeover, wait to be invited of a girl. And say "Give me a makeover, girl!", If you want.
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QueenTiki
27/01/2008 03:55 AM
And HANNAPINKY, the secret is that: enter to www.barbie.com, click on shop, click an barbiegirls and go to a barbie shop. Or download Rosella's songs. You can download if you click www.barbie.com. But, answer the parents. Good luck!
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Ranelle
30/01/2008 12:52 AM
I see a girl with beautiful pajamas. If somebody know her code tell me.
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Ranelle
30/01/2008 11:44 PM
What? I see in BarbieGirls so much characters with extra fashions!!! How they do to receive that outfits, you can tell me?
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tennahot123
02/02/2008 06:43 PM
yep! i have a barbie girl! you buy it from target! yep!
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superfuzzkitty
05/02/2008 12:45 PM
i have a pink b girl and i have all the things that go to it so far so and i aint telling u !!! bye the way who ever has been on my file i called matel and they gave me two more Qs! haaa!
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BarbieGirl
01/03/2008 01:23 PM
do you know this song my heart is pumping for love go on youtube and type it in
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Ginger
04/03/2008 03:32 AM
Seriously? I know it. In my piano you can listen this song. But Fur Elise is a love song too. On Valentine's Day, the special gifts sing this song.
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Ginger
04/03/2008 03:34 AM
Who can't know these songs?
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Londondiva
02/04/2008 06:57 AM
PLZ TELL ME SUM CODES 4 PETS N FASHIONS PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
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leticia
08/04/2008 01:19 PM
iam desprate for the five codes please tell me
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Andrea
19/04/2008 08:48 AM
Five codes? Do you think I know 5 codes? I know only 2 for b bucks!!!
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Beautygirl
01/05/2008 04:27 PM
Where ever do you buy the MP3player? I've checked Eastgarden's Target but it doesn't have it!!! I wish I had the code!!!
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Goldie
05/05/2008 03:49 AM
I know just four codes, but i don't know that damn code to unlock everything. If someone can tell e that code pleace contact m. - GOLDDRESS[at barbiegirls.com]
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Ingrid
09/05/2008 08:03 PM
Goldie, can you tell me the four codes (if these are for fashions)? I tell for everybody the two codes for get b bucks: barbiegirls232 and barbiegirlspresale.
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djokovic_tennis
11/05/2008 07:21 PM
girls! stop asking for codes for special stuff!! there is NO code for pets and special stuff! u need the cd that coems with the barbie girl, install and register duh! i should know, i have a babrie girl (blue) it rocks! as for the extra special outfits and pets (someone mentioned pjs) u need to get a deco pack and fashion pack and glam gowns pack and pj pack for it. AND u need the babrie girls to use the codes from the packs. i live in australia u get the babrie girl stuff at Big W Kmart Toys R Us Target David Jones (i think) and i believe myer as well. these r the codes that i know anyone can use (codes r for money girls) *mattychoice *barbiegirls232 *barbiegirls323 *barbiegirls444 *mattelbbucks (or MATTELBBUCKS) *barbiegirlspresale and for 200 bbucks i think it's *walmartbbucks (or walmartbucks) if the 200 one doesnt work dont blame me i forgot it :) and remember SUPPORT DJOKOVIC!
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layla
16/05/2008 01:26 PM
Do people sell a Barbie Girl in new zealand?
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Aliciatheqt
23/05/2008 03:49 PM
where do u get barbie girls from in liverpool?
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PAULA
31/05/2008 11:59 PM
I LOVE PINK BARBIE GIRLS !
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tracey5656
03/06/2008 03:30 PM
well i have a barbie girl i just got it! today now i can start using it and unlock all the fasions get a pet and so much more!
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Grace Tan
06/06/2008 10:10 PM
How do you get that BabrbieGirl? I just love it! I'm 9 years old and a little bit too old for Babrbie, but I want it? Where are they in Toys R Us? I'm going to Malaysia and they have a huge Toys R US! Where do you get the BarbieGirl?
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Dixie
12/06/2008 02:59 AM
Nice. But there is a V.I.P. member from barbiegirls can tell her code? Not for use, the fashion pack code or anything? Seriously, really exists only b bucks codes? What stupidities!
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Mevernia
22/06/2008 09:26 AM
U NO THE VIP THINGY, DO U NEED A BARBIE GIRL FOR THE VIP? OR WAT? NO LIKE IF U HAVE A BARBIE GIRL , R U A VIP THEN?! CAN U UNLOCK THE NEW STUFF???
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arenygirl50
26/06/2008 09:56 PM
what is the 5 codes what are they do is they to by a vip or what
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arenygirl50
28/06/2008 09:07 PM
hey kimdiva i want to add u but i can not know where are u in www.barbiegirls.com so tell me the 5 codes know and i will see all of barbiegirls and try to find u and be ur friend but if i be ur friend in barbiegirls u can not tell me the codes but here u can tell me but is this codes to unclock a pets and buy clothes and go to club beauty and the other shop if they are not for these i will not be ur friend and i know a codes for money its barbiegirls323 and barbiegirls232 and barbiegirlspresale and mattychoice
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AMBER
13/07/2008 04:21 AM
superfuzzkitty where were u born be cuz i am moving and i hav a b girl so we can b bff p.s.i want to no b cuz i wonder where u were born
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prettygirl
26/07/2008 05:27 AM
hi i am from romania. can someone give me some codes. my nickname on barbie girls world is : florinabaia, and my mail is : florinabaia@yahoo.com
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barbie
31/07/2008 02:38 AM
great,,,,,,,,,
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gayamore
03/08/2008 01:01 PM
pls.give me a code for the pets & fashion. just e mail me leyamore_balbon22@yahoo.com
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bunnyboo155
07/08/2008 12:54 PM
i have a barbiegirl so can someone give me the code to pajamas send it to boznainhottie@yahoo.com thx
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Thinkingbarbie
24/08/2008 04:19 AM
plz girls give the password and screen name of your barbie girl vip in my id thinking.barbie@yahoo.com im very thankful to u thx
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shennielou
25/08/2008 10:16 PM
i am so happy 8 new barbie girls came in to my house in just one day!!!! from my gramma,dad,mom,cuzz, and uncle!!!! i got 2 2008 MP3s, green, orange, pink, orange deco pack, blue pj party pack, and silver glam gowns pack from AMAZON.COM! O yeaaaa!!!! B GIRLS ROCKZZZ!
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