Disclosure: I received the product below to review in exchange for sharing my honest opinion.
So many things around the house are WiFi or bluetooth enabled that it was only a manner of time before a doll was made that was Bluetooth enabled. My Friend Cayla is a new doll that is actually the world’s first real talking doll. She knows millions of things, once you connect her to the app via bluetooth. Her knowledge is based off a cloud based encyclopedia and she can also answer over 1,000 questions about herself. Cayla can even spell words and solve math problems!
This is the interface of the free app you download:
My Friend Cayla is not just an online-connected doll. She can be used offline as well, perfect for if your on-the-go with her without an internet connection. Offline she can still talk and interact, play games, tell bedtime stories and more as long as she is connected via bluetooth to your tablet.
Honestly My Friend Cayla is a pretty amazing doll. She can do so much that I feel like we haven’t even scratched the surface of her yet. My 4 year old is amazed every time we use her and thinks she is the coolest doll ever. I did obviously have to get her set up for my daughter but otherwise she can do everything on her own. She kind of reminds me of Siri for Apple devices but in the form of a doll that can really interact with someone rather than just answer a question here and there. She is not always 100% perfect but I think that is more of a communication mis-understanding of what my daughter is asking. I haven’t had a problem with anything I have asked yet.
Here is a video a made to show off some of her features:
To set up My Friend Cayla you do need to pair her with your Android or Apple device (tablet or a smartphone) just like you’d pair a bluetooth headset or speaker. Most of Cayla’s conversational features can be used while she is offline but other features like asking specific questions and such do require a WiFi connection. Cayla herself also required 3 AA batteries but other than that she is ready to go.
It did take me a few tries to pair her correctly but ever since she has connected just fine automatically, it was just the first initial setup that I had to try a few times. Her necklace even lights up when she’s connected and ready so you know.
Now the one thing I really couldn’t believe about My Friend Cayla is that there is no monthly service fee to use her. I assumed that in addition to the cost of the doll there would be a monthly fee to pay but nope she is free after you buy her! The app is free as well. This is nice because too often I find something super cool only to realize there is a monthly fee that I wasn’t anticipating.
Cayla really can be a great friend for a child and keep them socially engaged. I haven’t heard anything inappropriate from her and I like that I have the option to be able to add words I’d rather her not mention or answer questions about. There is a dictionary-type page on the app you input words in you want Cayla to say are inappropriate. Not necessarily for swear words but even if you don’t want your child to ask about something like guns or war. Cayla does have a kid-safe proprietary software called Violet installed that protects your child from any offensive or sensitive words.
Cayla can even be customized right down to her name which you can change and you can input personalized items that are your child’s favorite so Cayla can have a “real” conversation with your child. My daughter’s favorite feature is the story time. She can read stories aloud and display on the device for your child to follow along.
Looking for a Spanish? You can download the My Friend Cayla Spanish version on your smart device as well!
Want to change her clothes? My Friend Cayla is a standard 18 inch doll size and can wear most of any 18 doll’s clothes if you have any. She basically is like other 18 inch dolls from her appearance but she has the added bonus of the app and talking.
I think My Friend Cayla is going to be a hot Christmas item this year so I would definitely pick it up sooner than later as Christmas is going to be here before we know it! I will say too that I tried Cayla both via an Android device and an Apple device and there were less hiccups with the Apple device via bluetooth. Not sure if it was just my connection or phone in general but our iPad Mini worked better with her rather than my Android smartphone. For $60 she is definitely a very cool and amazing doll that like I said we have barely scratched the service of because there is so much to her.
Stay Connected with My Friend Cayla:
My Friend Cayla WEBSITE | My Friend Cayla FACEBOOK | My Friend Cayla TWITTER | My Friend Cayla PINTEREST | My Friend Cayla INSTAGRAM
BUY IT: My Friend Cayla can be found at Target, Kmart, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Blain’s Farm & Fleet and Amazon
.
WIN IT: (1) US winner will receive a My Friend Cayla doll
Need help entering a giveaway? Check out my blog post for some help!
GIVEAWAY ENTRY:
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This Giveaway Ends August 21, 2015.
Katrina says
How do I indicate bluetooth active on my friend cayla
Jerry Marquardt says
I would have never even thought of a Bluetooth doll. But I think the kids are going to just love this latest technology trend.
Jeanna Massman says
My niece would love to have a tea party with her!
Karla R. says
My daughter would like the size of the doll.
Sandra L Hying McFadden says
Her first question would be what is your name?
trixx says
My daughter would ask her to read stories
Lisa L says
My little girl would ask Cayla to have a tea party with her
Pam Flynn says
My granddaughter would ask “How did you like your first day of Kindergarten?”
Vanessa Richard says
She would ask her name and then go down the whats your favorite list.
Shakeia Rieux says
My niece would ask her what her name is
Janice Joyner says
She would ask, “what’s your name?” and then would introduce her to all of her other dolls and stuffed animals!
Kelsey K. says
What her name is, and how old she is.
Megan Parsons says
My daughter would want to talk to her about animals.
Beatrice P says
She would definitely ask her to have some tea.
Colleen Maurina says
She would probably ask Cayla what her favorite color is!
jeanette sheets says
where she from ?whats he rname?would she want to play?
xty cruz says
I would like to ask to be her friend
tina reynolds says
My daughter would ask her name or what she wants to cook/bake
Angela W says
What food she liked best…maybe?
aaro reck says
I’m sure there would be a tea party and conversation.
Jennifer Lleras says
mine would ask her name first!
Daniel M says
don’t know what she’d ask first
Alona Y says
My daughter would probably want to do her hair first.
tara darity says
My daughter would ask her to play together! So cute!
courtney b says
my daughter would ask her if she’s hungry and then would try to feed her lol
Sandy says
My little one would definitely ask her name (then make one up for her)! Then theyd have long, weird conversations:)
Sue E says
My granddaughter would probably ask her if she would be her best friend & then ask her to play.
Sue E says
My granddaughter would probably ask her if she would be her best friend & then ask her if she wanted to play.
Virginia Rowell says
My granddaughter would probably ask her to take a walk with her!
Jamie Williams says
She would probably ask her where are you from?
Adrien Beatty says
My daughter would ask her if she was hungry.
Julie says
My daughter would probably ask her if she wanted to meet her chickens..
Meghan Berdelle says
She would want a tea party!
Julie Lundstrom says
My niece would sit down with Cayla and watch a disney movie.
Eileen Richter says
My grand daughter would probably ask her if she’ d like to have a tea party…that’s her favorite thing to do! thanks!
susan hartman says
My granddaughter Emma would want to feed her first.
Stacey B says
I think my daughter would ask her to sing with her
Katie Bellamy says
First thing my daughter would do is her hair!
Kristen says
She’d probably want to teach her school.
denise low says
I think that they would sit and have some tea.
Kathy Stevenson says
My daughter would want her to read a book.
Madonna says
My granddaughter would undress her first and then redress her 🙂
Heather Hayes Panjon says
She Would Ask Cayla For A Hug!
Laura J says
I think she would play school with her and learn some spanish!
jill rivera says
My grand daughter would give her a big hug first.
humera tabassum says
she loves to host a tea party for her so cute
julie moore says
My daguhter would sing to her
Brenda Elsner says
My niece would love to play with her hair.
Deborah D says
comb her hair
Kelly D says
My daughter would tell Cayla about her family.
Carol says
My granddaughter would ask to tell a story.
Robin Abrams says
She would ask her to read a story
Patricia Wojnar Crowley says
They would ask her to tell them a joke….
Tara O. says
This doll looks amazing! I think my daughter would probably love to ask Cayla to read her a story first!
Gina H. says
She would ask her to tell her a story.
Megan says
my daughter would have her ride a car
erin dear says
My daughter would be ready to fix her hair and discover all the fun play!
Julie Bickham says
my daughter would want to play online games with her first.
ken ohl says
I think she would love to play with her barbies with Cayla
Julie L says
My niece would love to have a picnic with Cayla!
Jenny Q. says
My niece would want to have a tea party with the doll.
Renee B. says
My daughter would be excited to read with her!
Amanda Whitley says
my daughter would ask her to say “mama” she would treat it like her child not friend
Patti Hess says
To be her friend!!
pattifritz2000 at yahoo.com
Jeani b says
i think my daughter would ask her if she wants to play a game together! my daughter would just love this. much better than ‘chatting with siri’.
James Robert says
Hopefully not ask her to do their homework…lol. My girls would love how interactive she is and I am sure they would be asking her many things
KJ Skib says
I am sure she wold ask her to do her chores 🙂
Sandra davis says
She is so cute. She would be perfect.
Shelly says
My grand daughter is getting a little brother in about a month. She’s been non-stop talking about it and asking us all questions. I think her first question would have something to do with her new little brother’s arrival.
Leela says
They would play restaurant together.
Lisa Williams says
I think my little niece will ask Cayla about her hair and her clothes,and what her favorite color is,then by bed time I think she will ask Cayla to read her a princess book.
Maggie says
Too cool! My daughters gonna want one
joanne major says
she would ask if they were sisters? she wants a sister. Asked suri on the iphone
Jan Lee says
My great niece would probably ask if she has a sister or brother and then ask how old she is 🙂
Anita Duvall says
Def. the first would be to ask her to tell her a bedtime story. Then, of course, she would change her clothes like all little girls!
Candie L says
After what my kids have asked Siri and the responses, they would come up with something like that is zero divided by zero. If you have not asked Siri that yet, I highly recommend it. Not how you would expect. Thank you
Katie K says
Mine woudl put her in a different outfit and do her hair 🙂
Vera S says
I think we would love to undress and redress her. For some reason this is a must with a new doll. 🙂
Linda Manns Linneman says
My granddaughter loves talking to her babies and playing school with them. I am sure this will be the first thing she does. She will just love that this doll talks
charlene says
I am sure my niece would want to change her clothes and brush her hair
Nannypanpan says
Mine would want her to give her a hug
Jennifer Marie says
My niece would ask, “Do you want to be my friend?”
Andrea v says
What is your name.? My daughter also said why are you doing?
Deborah W. says
My granddaughter would ask her, “what’s your name?”
mycraftingworld says
It would probably be about if she dances. Mine dance.
Mia says
Sing her a song.
Patricia says
My daughter would ask the doll if she could have ice cream.
JLin says
do her hair
Seetal Rhoades says
That is so cute. My daughter loves dolls. I could just see her now spending the day playing with Cayla. But she would probably change the name to Kara- her friends name.
Holly Thomas says
My daughter would probably instantly change her clothes. She is huge right now on stripping all her dolls and barbie doll clothes off and saying she’s going to put them back on but mommy ends up doing it!!
Dawn Monroe says
My girls would want to do a photo shoot first.
Michelle S says
My daughter loves stories so I know she would have her read a story first!
Nancy says
She might ask her the title of her favorite book.
vickie couturier says
oh she would ask her if she could change her clothes
Mary Happymommy says
My daughter would brush her hair first.