Barbie will be able to talk and tell jokes | Key4Communications |

Mattel announced it is developing Hello Barbie – a doll that uses Wi-Fi voice recognition in the cloud to remember her owner's likes, dislikes, and previous conversation topics. The Hello Barbie doll is developed by San Francisco startup ToyTalk. At the New York Toy Fair, Mattel announced that the doll will be able to have two-way conversations with its owner and even tell jokes. Hello Barbie will also have the ability to learn new references over time via voice recognition software. Hello Barbie will get her digital makeover from voice recognition startup ToyTalks.

With this release coming just days after Mattel announced a new View Master that will employ virtual reality software, the distinction between tech and toys is blurring more than ever.