From the Toysit archive
e-Brain Personal Organizer
The e-Brain’s red display and talking-organizer idea inspire a paper festival schedule with a different host message for every event.
The play at a glance
A pocket organizer with a voice for the day
The e-Brain pairs a red display with a curved gray case, two pale buttons and a black strap. Its original promise was a pocket companion that could announce reminders and carry a personalized voice and personality. That combination of schedule and character suggests a playful question: what would an organizer say if it were hosting a small imaginary festival?
A schedule can have a character
The earlier account describes reminders, telephone information, games and a personality chosen through companion software. The surviving package presents the device as something that can talk, remind and entertain. Its little red window gives that voice a visible place in the object.
A reminder can sound businesslike, welcoming or theatrical. “The puppet show begins next” sets a different mood from “Please welcome the moon’s smallest puppet theater!” Choosing the wording becomes part of inventing the host.
The activity below uses fictional events and paper cards. It needs no personal contact details, telephone connection or installation of the historical software. You can make a whole day for an imaginary town before deciding how its host will introduce each event.
Become a pocket festival host
Make three cards for an opening welcome, a puppet show and a closing parade. Give the festival a name and put a simple symbol on each card: a sun for the welcome, a curtain for the show and a flag for the parade.
Invent a host with a distinctive manner. Perhaps a very polite robot runs Lantern Square, or a cheerful garden snail introduces everything slowly. Write a short announcement in that character’s voice beneath each event.
Add a sound described in words, such as “two gentle drum taps” or “a tiny trumpet flourish.” A partner can speak the description, make an agreed quiet sound or simply hold up the card. Read the three announcements in order and act out a few seconds of each event.
Now change the schedule. The puppet needs time to find a hat, so the parade comes first. Rearrange the cards and rewrite one announcement to explain the change. Fold the finished schedule into a little booklet, with the host’s portrait on its cover.
The historical record
Original Toysit coverage
The complete earlier product account and commentary are preserved below as historical coverage.
Personal gizmo - dial phone numbers - wireless downloads - organizer for kids
E-Brain Personal Organizer - In 2002, the e-Brain was an electronic personal organizer that could be programmed with a personality. It plays interactive games, stores your schedule and phone numbers, calls you by name, and can even be programmed to say certain phrases or play sound effects during different times of the day. It's wireless, so you don't need any cables or serial ports--just aim it at the computer screen to download the programming. It's small enough to fit in a coat pocket and has a handy clip if you want to wear it on your belt.
- Build endless phrases for e-Brain to say from a vocabulary that includes nearly 2,000 words, letters, numbers, and sound effects
- Drag and drop data for easy programming
- Utilizes Timex Data Link system and patented technology for totally wireless PC connection; no wires to plug into the computer--simply point e-Brain at the screen, press download, and e-Brain receives the data instantly
- CD-ROM contains eight activity menu screens
- Works on all home PCs running Windows 95 or later
- Stores and dials phone numbers
- 10 different fun games and activities
- Completely portable e-Brain goes where you go.
Sources and editorial notes
A photograph of original DSI 69006 packaging and three original software screenshots in independent protocol research were visually reviewed. They support the talking-organizer, schedule and Timex DataLink context. The historical screen-transfer system is not evidence of present-day PC compatibility; a complete hardware manual was not recovered. The original October 5, 2002 date and all eight feature items remain. The paper festival activity is original to Toysit; no software was installed or device tested.
- Original Toysit image — Existing same-site image reviewed and retained unchanged.
- Original DSI e-Brain package photograph — Manufacturer packaging photographed in a resale listing; model 69006 and historical feature claims visible.
- Independent e-Brain protocol research and software screenshots — Developer’s primary research with original DSI software views; not a manufacturer manual or compatibility guarantee.
- Original Toysit coverage — Complete historical account retained, including its original claims and wording.
Images and descriptions are retained as historical material. How Toysit covers toys.
Created for Toysit by Tabbloza — the artwork in our header.