There is an interesting article in this week’s Time about the push from toy companies this holiday season to wow young consumers with high-tech toys.

With young consumers growing out of toys faster and preferring iPod digital music players and video games, the nation’s toy makers are working harder to come up with more high-tech products, particularly robotic playmates.

Towards the end, the article makes mention of the LEGO Mindstorms NXT and how it will allow LEGO to enter alternative channels that in the past would not normally sell their products.