Cinderella will be making her presence known this month with a new Cinderella comforter that lights up and makes sound when touched.
The set of three comforters, made by WestPoint Home, feature T-INK's "thinking ink" technology. The thinking ink is made of printed electronic circuitry—including switches, wire, buttons, speakers, lights and batteries—to power textile products. The ink can be printed in any color (including clear); is flexible, washable and non-toxic; and withstands bending and washing.
The Cinderella products use a conductive fiber that, when touched, completes the circuit to activate three sets of lights and a "magical swoosh" sound. Three versions of the Cinderella comforter hit Sears, JCPenney (catalog and Internet only), Mervyns and Wal-Mart this month, with MSRPs ranging from $59.99 to $119.99.
"Cinderella is the tip of the iceberg," said Steve Hoffman, vp of marketing services and licenses at WestPoint Home. "The juvenile market is just an entry point for this extraordinary new technology that will ultimately impact everyone of any age. What if your sheets could turn on a light without a switch? What if your pillows could talk? What if your shower curtain could play music?"
At spring 2006 home market this month, WestPoint Home will introduce items such a pillowcase that remotely controls an MP3 player; a silk coverlet with sound, aromatherapy and massage capabilities; and a motion-activated mood-light bed skirt.
