Abstract

The current smart toy research has not fully acknowledged the existing research on traditional toys. Instead, the focus has been on the digital layer of smart toys. This study contributes to bridging the gap between traditional and smart toy research by applying the analytical model known as the functional manipulation potential of toys (FMP) to identify if and how smart features such as connectivity affect otherwise traditional toys. Based on purposeful sampling of informant-rich cases, this study uses FMP to analytically compare the digitally enhanced Hello Barbie doll to a traditional Barbie. The data, analyzed using abductive methods, comprises the tangible dolls and the 8,000 lines of dialogue dialog that Hello Barbie can speak. The results show that connectivity can notably change the FMP of an otherwise traditional toy. These changes took place in two forms: additions and amplifications. Additions mean that Hello Barbie contains functional elements a traditional Barbie does not. Amplifications refer to situations where already existing elements were augmented by the connectivity. Implications for future research are discussed.