Talking Barbie Sets New Standard

Barbie is about to show she’s more than just a pretty face.

Mattel Inc. in November will release a talking Barbie with a little computer - on a pink desk, of course - and real computer software that can be used to customize what she has to say.

The $90 Talk With Me Barbie Doll comes with a minicomputer on a desk, cables to connect to a home computer and a CD-ROM.

Barbie owners put the CD-ROM on their home computer, and use it to choose conversation topics ranging from careers and dating to make-believe and playing house. They can also program in their name, birthday, hair and eye color and information about four of their friends, too.

Then the computer sends the information to Barbie’s little PC. It, in turn, transmits the information by infrared beam to her gold necklace in much the same way a TV remote control works.