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Dark Droid Toys

Sphero's BB-9E Toy Comes Ahead of the Next 'Star Wars' Film

— September 1, 2017 — Tech
'Star Wars' is among the most financially successful franchises in the history of mass media, and the new BB-9E toy shows that the Disney-fueled juggernaut is showing no signs of stopping. The officially licensed toy from Sphero gives fans a sneak peak of a character from the upcoming film in the latest iteration of the franchise.

BB-8 was the adorable R2-D2-esque droid for the newest series of Star Wars films, but the producers seem to have decided to match the rolling robot with a dark counterpart. According to Sphero's site, "BB-9E is a menacing Astromech Droid of the First Order," meaning that it fights for the dark side.

As with Sphero's earlier BB-8 and R2-D2 toys, the BB-9E toy can be controlled through an app on one's smartphone, where users can roll it through holographic simulations.
Trend Themes
1. Licensed Film Merchandise - The popularity of franchises like 'Star Wars' creates opportunities for companies to create licensed merchandise based on the films.
2. App-controlled Toys - Toys that can be controlled through an app on a smartphone provide opportunities for companies to create new and innovative products in the toy industry.
3. Dark Counterparts - Creating dark counterparts to popular characters can provide opportunities for companies to offer new and unique products to fans.
Industry Implications
1. Toy Industry - The success of app-controlled toys like Sphero's BB-9E presents opportunities for companies in the toy industry to innovate and create new products.
2. Entertainment Industry - The popularity of franchises like 'Star Wars' presents opportunities for companies in the entertainment industry to create licensed merchandise and capitalize on the success of the franchise.
3. Mobile App Industry - The demand for app-controlled toys presents opportunities for companies in the mobile app industry to create innovative products and diversify their offerings.
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