Fully Charged: Hasbro makes robot cats for the elderly, and YouTube Kids app hits the UK

Hasbro’s robot cats for old folks

We can’t tell if this is endearing or eerie, but here goes: Hasbro has launched the Joy For All line of robotic companion pet toys, and the first entry is a cat that responds to your touch. Beyond that, it’ll purr and make other sounds, and it supposedly feels more or less like the real thing. Hasbro says it’s primarily for older folks who perhaps can’t care for a real pet.

"We heard from seniors across the country that companionship was important to their happiness. Many live alone, miss having a pet, or are no longer able to care for a pet," said Hasbro’s Ted Fischer, vice president of business development. "While it’s not a replacement for a pet, the Joy For All Companion Pet Cat is a life-like alternative that can provide the joy and companionship of owning a real pet, without the often cumbersome responsibilities."

The sentiment is great, and we certainly wouldn’t look down upon anyone who could benefit from such a thing. That said, the "uncanny valley" look and feel of it is pretty off-putting in our eyes. Hasbro’s selling them now for US$100 (about £65).

[Source: Hasbro via ToyNews]

YouTube Kids expands to UK

YouTube Kids is a handy app for parents, as it lets children explore channels and shows targeted towards their eyes – without letting them wander into the less appropriate stuff on the streaming service, or seeing ads that aren’t ideal for youngsters.

Unfortunately, it was only available in the U.S. when it released in February. But that’s no longer the case: as of Tuesday, the app is now available for both iOS and Android in the UK and Ireland, as well. It’s free and also has a bunch of parental control options, so grab it if you need a quick mobile tool for keeping your kid(s) occupied.

[Source: YouTube UK Blog]

Amazon gets two-factor login

Two-factor authentication is a hugely necessary tool in keeping your various accounts from falling into the wrong hands, and while it can be annoying to setup and use on new devices, we absolutely recommend you do so. And now you can with Amazon accounts.

The company didn’t bother making a fuss about the recent change, but The Verge noticed that you can enable the feature. You’ll need your smartphone, using either an SMS alert or an authenticator app, so you can provide the second factor (beyond your password) when signing in on a new device. It’s worth the few minutes of hassle to provide a bit of peace of mind – and protection. Hit the source link below for details.

[Source: The Verge]

Apple Watch Space Black Link kit

If you’ve got a 42mm Space Black Link Bracelet for your Apple Watch and it just doesn’t fit quite right, there’s good news: Apple has finally released a kit that lets you expand the size for larger wrists. The kit for the silver band was released in August, but now Space Black buyers can get a roomier fit too.

It’s available now for £39 in the UK and $49 in the States.

[Source: Apple via 9to5Mac]