Product as Toy Debate

Commenters repeatedly classify the discussed product or technology as merely a children's toy or entertainment gadget, debating its lack of practical utility despite its fun appeal.

➡️ Stable 0.6x Hardware
3,035
Comments
20
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#787
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

2007
3
2008
12
2009
35
2010
65
2011
68
2012
110
2013
119
2014
92
2015
100
2016
127
2017
206
2018
235
2019
194
2020
207
2021
287
2022
265
2023
293
2024
281
2025
313
2026
23

Keywords

IMO ycombinator.com tonies.com GI ThinkGeek LOL toys toy kids kid fun children entertainment magnets gi baseball

Sample Comments

wojciem Oct 12, 2015 View on HN

It would be nice to have some toy-set for kids with this.

pavel_lishin Feb 14, 2018 View on HN

Probably just children's toys.

beAbU Aug 3, 2025 View on HN

What's wrong with toys? Toys are fun!

Liron Apr 24, 2024 View on HN

Being a toy implies some niche of users is getting fun out of the product. Who's having fun here and how?

MaymayMaster Aug 6, 2017 View on HN

They're honestly nothing more than children's toys.

dleslie Oct 15, 2016 View on HN

It's definitely very much a toy.

_dain_ Jan 13, 2022 View on HN

they're still toys, you can't do anything useful with them.

mihaaly Jul 25, 2024 View on HN

... so basically overgrown childrens' play with expensive toys?

petesergeant Sep 9, 2022 View on HN

Same with kid's toys, the difference being that feedback for kid's toys to the purchaser is immediate and painful if the wrong option is selected

baybal2 Feb 27, 2019 View on HN

It is useful as a toy. Toys are a big industry.