Tomorrow is #ForceFriday, the day Lucasfilm begins selling all of the Star Wars merchandise related to The Force Awakens.
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Update: Sphero’s BB-8 is now available for ordering on Amazon! Orders placed shortly after 12:01 a.m. on Friday promised a delivery by September 8.
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It’s a special day for Star Wars fans and an important day for Disney. The merchandise side of the Star Wars world is obviously a huge money maker, and for fans, #ForceFriday reminds everyone of years gone by.
Ahead of the clock striking midnight, a slew of merchandise has been unveiled in a 18-hour live stream over on YouTube, and one of the toys announced this morning is sure to be extremely popular.
Toy company Sphere has announced a lifelike BB-8 toy that can be operated using your smartphone. It rolls on the ground and keeps its head on top of its spherical body as it moves, just like the real BB-8! Vanity Fair had early access to the toy and decided to put it in a room with adorable puppies. Naturally, the video is adorable:
BB-8 does more than play with puppies. According to Sphero’s website, the toy can roll around your house on its own, exploring everything that comes across its path. The website also says he’s able to hear and “react” to your commands.
The little guy comes with a dock featuring inductive charging, meaning resting BB-8 on his base will get him to charge his battery. No plugs required!
This particular version of BB-8 will cost you $150 and will be on sale tomorrow, September 4 (Force Friday). If that price tag is too steep, we’re sure there will be more affordable versions in the future. Just don’t expect it to play with your dog.
Sphero’s BB-8 will be available at Best Buy, the Apple Store, and on their website.
BB-8 has been a hit with the Star Wars fandom since he debuted in the first trailer. What’s so fascinating about the droid is that he’s real — J.J. Abrams brought him out on stage during Star Wars Celebration earlier this summer:
Stores around the globe will open their doors at midnight tonight to begin selling toys like this one.