Batman Sets [Shop.Lego]

Lego said participants are divided into three groups: Software/Hardware Development, Inventions and Creations, and Community. Developers have access to a secure Web forum where they communicate with one another, learn more about the project, debate issues, decide on solutions and help shape the community that supports the Lego Mindstorms NXT launch.

Lego Picks 100 Techies For Robotics Toyland [Yahoo]

First impressions are very good. We've known for a while that the minifigs were great, but seeing actual digital photos of the real product is still exciting, especially as it means they are now available for sale, in some stores at least.

We happen to have a soft spot for Eggo waffles anyway, so these are on our grocery list for sure. Finally, Lego elements that are supposed to have teeth marks!

LEGO Shaped Eggos [Strange New Products] (Thanks, Drew and Bridgitte!)

The good news is that the initial ramp-up period is over and I have a few minutes here and there that I can begin to apply back to Nextbrick. It's caused me almost literal pain to see some great Lego news go by and not to blog it.

On a related note, if you or someone you know is interested in blogging about Lego and other construction toys, I'd be willing to bring in someone else in a (very) part-time role. I'll even pay in Lego.

If interested, send an email to Nextbrick@gmail with a short writing sample.

— Joel

Nextbrick: If you could, just a short explanation about Flashpoint's role in the Mindstorms NXT project.

Karen: Flashpoint PR is a boutique public relations agency; we support all product publicity for LEGO Systems, Inc. and have therefore been involved in the PR programs supporting this exciting new product. Members of our team, in previous lives, contributed to the launch of the original LEGO MINDSTORMS, so this is an exciting project for us.

Nextbrick: We noticed there are lots of questions in the Mindstorms NXT Users Panel (MUP) sign up, but not very many places to offer specific, personal information. What's the best way for an applicant to get noticed?

Karen: MUP members are selected based on their proposed contributions to NXT rollout – be it in software, hardware, community or inventions/models areas.  Some people want to write books, others are looking to help create curriculum or transition guides, others have suggested hacking protocols and amazing creations they’d like to achieve.  We’re less concerned with personal information and more looking for the big ideas.

Nextbrick: Will Lego be granting access to the private forum where the original MUP community helped to develop the NXT project. If so, will the past interactions between Lego and the MUP be retained? It would be interested to read through the threads that lead to NXT's development.

Karen's response and more questions after the jump.

The Lego Suicides

We purchased a copy sight unseen a few weeks ago and were very impressed, so thought it especially serendipitous when we got the opportunity to speak to Mr. Bedford. If you'd like to get an idea of what The Unofficial Lego Builder's Guide has inside, there's a nice introduction with samples on Mr. Bedford's blog.

Now, the interview!

Nextbrick: What inspired you to write a book about how to build Lego? Doesn't that imply there's a 'right way' to build?

Allan: My inspiration for the book came partially from the fact that there wasn't one out there already. Let me back up a bit. When I get interested in any new hobby or pastime I usually look for the equivalent of a 'Dummies' style book to get me started. I like getting a good grounding in the lingo, the background and the conventions of anything that interests me. In the case of LEGO building there really wasn't a book on the market that filled this need. So I wrote one. :)

Lots more from Mr. Bedford after the jump.

What's an orrery? As any fan of The Dark Crystal knows, it's a device with which to impress gelflings. Tom's orrery exists, "to help explain to my children why we have so much light in the summer and not nearly enough in the winter (we live in Alaska). No attempt was made to get relative sizes, distances, or the orbit periods correct. Rather, this model shows the inclination of the earth's axis and why it causes the seasons."

Lego Orrery [Mac]

Problem is, we don't think we'd trust even Lego bricks to stick together indefinitely in our pockets along with our keys. But for just a single memory card we might go for it—especially since they should be super-cheap.

Lego Style Silicone Rubber Memory Card Case [I4U]

Do you know where I could find someone to give me a quote to create a
custom lego kit for my kids?

I am looking for a model of "Rocket" from the new Little Einsteins show
on Disney. Rocket is the red rocket ship that the kids ride on.

Any readers have any suggestions of places where custom models can be commissioned?

Our friend Vic sent us this huge batch of pictures which we have reproduced after the jump. Most of the images appear to be from Toy News, Intl., although we couldn't find them on their site. It also appears that Action-Figure.com has a few blurry shots of the boxed sets.

See over a dozen pictures of all the new sets after the jump!

What other retailers have you discovered that offer great deals on Lego?

In that sense, we are fairly pleased at the element selection. While the smaller sets like Uplink and Sentry use a fairly rudiemntary Technic-based connection for the legs, the larger Fire Vulture uses a ratcheted series of blocks that allow for a great variety of poses—perhaps at the expense of versatility. That said, we should be able to find plenty of uses for two-brick joint that rotate on two axes, perhaps even in non-mecha models.

The Exo-Force sets come with heavy weaponry, including missiles and guns and even a flamethrower. (And to Lego's credit, there is not a single dragon-fire element on the Fire Vulture.) In fact, the sets might be the most overtly military designs Lego has ever produced. For the first time, we feel it possible that our dream theme—minifig-scale World War II machinery—might someday be a possibility.

The parts inventory is varied, with many elements we feel will be useful to any budding builder of a 'futuristic' style, although there continue to be some disturbingly large single-use pieces, like the giant turbine on the back of the Fire Vulture. (The turbine is also the first piece we can recall with a dual-color injection mold from Lego.) Fan-built mecha tend to appear much more solid than the Exo-Force models, despite Lego's use of broad multi-angle slopes to imply heft. The remix potential is limited, but as part of a collection of more traditional elements there is much potential in these sets.

You might notice that we didn't opt to use any of the dozens of stickers included with the Exo-Force line. While we find the sticker design to be very much in theme with the anime-influence, we intend to be tearing these down to parts soon. In that sense, we're happy to have the choice of clean or printed bricks, but we can't help but feel a tinge of sadness at Uplink's 2 x 1 plate that serves as a computer. The silk-screened computer plate, once a hallmark of the space themes, is seemingly past its prime.

The larger Exo-Force sets include a 2 x 4 brick with a watch battery-powered LED. (We're not sure yet if the battery is replaceable.) Rubber fiber optic cables can be run from one end of the brick to add a glowing effect, such as the Fire Vulture's flamethrower laser sight. The bricks are cute but seem to have limited use.

Lastly, the minifigs are likely to be controversial. We rather dig the spiky-haired hero minifigs with their two-to-a-head faces, but the robot enemies are extremely awkward-looking and not the least bit menacing. (Not to mention the dissonance of robots piloting other robots.)

Overall, we're happy to gather so many useful parts and to see Lego finally stepping up the weaponry, but we wish the mecha appeared a bit more like giant, hulking robots and less like chassis waiting to be armored. We are also pleasantly surprised to find a minimum of Bionicle elements. The few that do appear add just the right amount of character.

Product Page [PodBrix]