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Gadget of the week: Orbotix Sphero 2.0

Published: 04:25 EST, 26 November 2013 | Updated: 12:26 EST, 22 May 2015

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Price: £99.99

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The Sphero 2.0 is a modern Christmas present. In years past you would have had a remote-control racing car running on AA batteries annoying congregated relatives while they're trying to watch the Queen's speech. This time around you might have a small, round ball.

And instead of the kids being the ones to do it, this time the adults will be getting involved as well.

You control Sphero on your smartphone or tablet - the latter is better than the former because you have more space on the screen to play with and so can be more precise. It connects via Bluetooth.

Ready to go: Controlled by a smartphone or table, Sphero is a high-octane robotic ball

Sphero is a small, heavy ball - pleasantly weighty, in fact - which can move at up to 2 metres per second and glows in a multitude of colours.

It's got a 30m wireless range and recharges from a dock, rather than running on disposable batteries. It's waterproof, dirt proof and shock proof.

Three hours of charge provides one hour of usage (so if the kids are driving you mad with it, then after an hour they'll have to give it a rest).

It can bash into tables, chairs, people and anything else that gets in its way. Provided in the box are two small ramps that mean you can try and get Sphero to jump.

Sphero, the one-of-a-kind spherical robot controlled by your...

Adults too: Grown-ups can also have fun with Sphero 2.0 and there are 25 plus apps you can download

Mastering the control system takes a while but it's time well spent, and depending on which mode you put Sphero on (you have a choice of free mode, or one where you can 'level-up'), there are hours upon hours of entertainment available.

Particularly so when you consider the apps available. There are 25 plus custom-made free applications that have been released for Sphero, racing games, golf games and more.

This is where the adults might get their kicks, while the kids might be content to try tricks or send Sphero careering around the room.

It's widely available in the UK for £99.99 which seems a little pricy, but given the hours of fun you'll be able to extract, it could well prove to be money well spent.

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