If you thought apps were just about getting buses or counting calories, you might want to have a little play with these brilliant app toys
PARROT JUMPING SUMO
This does what it says on the tin: it can leap up to 80cm in the air, using its powerful spring-loaded arm, then always land back on its circular feet. On board is a camera that can stream live footage of your antics back to your smartphone. Built to play hard, the Jumping Sumo is just as at ease in the great outdoors as it is inside. £139.99
SCALEXTRIC 1:32 SCALE C1329 ARC ONE
With the free ARC app loaded on to your device, it’ll host races for you as you chase the cars around the five-metre track with your trigger control. Select any number of race styles including practice, qualifying, Grand Prix and it’ll count laps, give you speed information and send you into the pits when your engine or tyres need attention. £54.99
ANKI DRIVE
Roll out the race track, synch your mobile to one of the cars, set the other into artificial intelligence mode (or to another smart-device-toting person) – and you’re off. This incredible piece of kit allows up to four cars to compete, but this race is not just about speed, each car is equipped with multiple weapons to take out the opposition. It’s like a video game that’s just burst out of your TV screen. £149.99
SPHERO OLLIE
Don’t be deceived by Ollie’s diminutive size – at full throttle, it reaches a blur-producing 14mph and spins, flips and drifts, all controlled by you. Glowing LEDs mean you can continue into the night playing some of the superb app-powered games within your new polycarbonate friend. £79.99
MiP ROBOT
This battery-operated balancing robot, controlled by hand gestures, will dance, follow a path, play games and generally show off its impressive array of tricks (the best by far being the ability to stay upright on two wheels). The extra joy is putting the carry tray on, loading it up and marvelling as he happily wheels its wares. Control from an armchair over Bluetooth with either an iOS or Android app. £79.99