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Video Review for au x Transformers Mobile Phone Optimus Prime

Posted by D-Maximal_Primal Dec 20, 2017 at 11:35am CST 23,781 views
Toy News Reviews
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Thanks to a heads up from Seibertronian Terrsolpix, we now have a new video review of the au x Transformers Mobile Phone Optimus Prime, or a bit more simply, Infobar Optimus Prime. As you may remember, these Infobar figures were revealed a good ways back, almost a year ago now, and back in February we posted a story about what these figures are and what they do. Basically, the Infobar is based on a popular phone type in Japan, and these phones were designed to Transform into Optimus Prime, Megatron, and Bumblebee, not unlike that San Diego Comic Con Soundwave that turned into a tablet.

In the video review found below, reviewer Tef Tef takes a good long look at the figure, which includes the ability to hook up to your mobile device and make the alert sounds for your device. It also contains LED lights to go with the notification sounds. The figure also comes with a funny little phone accessory, making this thing even more goofy.

Check out the video review below, and let us know what you think of it in the comments section below!

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Re: Video Review for au x Transformers Mobile Phone Optimus Prime (view post)
Comment by primalxconvoy Dec 20, 2017
As far as I know, none of the Infobar TFs make any sounds. They simply have an LED that flashes when you get a notification.
Re: Video Review for au x Transformers Mobile Phone Optimus Prime (view post)
Comment by Tef-Tef Dec 21, 2017
Actually... Tef-Tef here from the video... I mentions how it DOES NOT have bluetooth/sound/lights or anything for that matter.

From what I heard those with Bluetooth support were for people that backed the crowdfunding, and a special "white/movie" edition that will come out later on. Also the Bumble Bee and Megatron were specially for the crowdfunding people also.
Re: Video Review for au x Transformers Mobile Phone Optimus Prime (view post)
Comment by primalxconvoy Dec 21, 2017
Really? I've got the crowdfunded versions, which was a set of BB, Megs and Op, all with lights. That seems to confirm it. The original sales spiel seemed obtuse and confusing to my Japanese friend, who didn't know that a regular Optimus would be out without crowdfuning. It suggested that all figures would be out, but the crowdfunded version would have a special box and be cheaper than buying all the figures separately?
Re: Video Review for au x Transformers Mobile Phone Optimus Prime (view post)
Comment by Deathsanras Jan 3, 2018
Rated X wrote:
Deathsanras wrote:TakaraTomy channel post on Jan 31: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uC3oQ9sSm6w (restricted to Japan).

Rated X wrote:Who would collect these and why? Are they working cell phones? They remind me of those dumb phones with big buttons for elderly people.

Why would anyone collect G1 Soundwave, Ravage and Laserbeak when they're not working devices? G1 Reflector, G1 Megatron, Real Gears, Mi Pad Soundwave, Sega Megatron, Playstation Optimus, etc.
They are scaled down from real INFOBAR mobile phones. However, they are functional as notification devices paired with an actual phone. Same as with the Pebble smartwatch.

Image

You didnt answer my question if these things actually work or not. Its kind of hard to compare a cheap childs play toy from 1984 to an expensive 2017 homage toy geared towards adult collectors. With that being said, find me one adult that feels the need to carry around a transformable working cell phone? Or if your argument would be that these are "play phones" meant for kids, please try to explain the adult collector price...


Yes, I did. It's quoted in your reply.
(Not liking the answer is not the same thing.)
On the other hand, you didn't answer any of mine.
Re: Video Review for au x Transformers Mobile Phone Optimus Prime (view post)
Comment by primalxconvoy Jan 3, 2018
These toys were created in partnership with AU, one of the big three Japanese phone carriers (Alongside Docomo and Softbank). In Japan, for most of the locals, the phones are simply known as a (Carrier Name) + phone/model name". In some cases, the name is replaced with a made-up model number, so a Samsung Galaxy Note 1 might be something like a "Docomo Galaxy v34567". Furthermore, some of the carriers, in the good old days of feature-phones, had special handsets designed just for them (or had exclusivity rights to certain handsets). The "Infobar" was one for AU.

It was seen as a rather different looking phone at the time, with clunky buttons and mosaic design. Recently, AU wanted to celebrate the design (or some design awards did) and so it went into partnership with Takara to make some TFs, much in the same way we've have tablet Soundwave, that Chevolet bot for DOTM, etc.

That's it. There's nothing really else to add. It's not aimed at kids but collectors, as a curiosity piece.
Re: Video Review for au x Transformers Mobile Phone Optimus Prime (view post)
Comment by OptimusMegatron878 Mar 31, 2018
I think these transforming cell phones are a cool idea. I have the Optimus Prime figure, does anyone know when toy sites like BBTS or TFSource will be listing the Megatron and Bumblebee phones? Any info. would be greatly appreciated.
Re: Video Review for au x Transformers Mobile Phone Optimus Prime (view post)
Comment by primalxconvoy Mar 31, 2018
Those were only pre-order versions, as part of a set with Optimus, during a crowd-funded campaign, quite some time ago.

I doubt they will be available at BBTS. Ebay or Yahoo! Auctions Japan are probably more likely to have them.
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