Gadgets and gizmos with kids on the brain

LAS VEGAS — Thanks to the launch of the Samsung-Dreamworks partnership at CES, which debuted with the release of the world’s first 3D Blu-ray DVD (Dreamworks’ Monsters Vs Aliens, the animated film featuring the voices of Reese Witherspoon and Seth Rogen) and Samsung’s 3D home entertainment system, the buzzword at the CES convention, aside from 3D, was kid-friendly. Tween and teen-centric products crowded the product line, proving once and again that it takes a village — and a large bank account — to raise a kid these days. Here are some of the new products soon to make it to your kid’s wish list.

Beat DJ

A full-touch, 2.8-inch AMOLED screen doesn’t necessarily separate this phone from the pack, but Samsung’s Beat DJ phone allows you to select your own music and add effects. Mix in sounds or “scratch” records to the tune of your inner DJ, while texting your friends all about your cool new beats.

S3

At only 9.8 mm, the S3 is about as thin as it gets. With its rounded edges and slightly curved body (designed for a better grip, no matter which way you use it), it’s one of the prettiest mp3 players on the market. Teens with a hankering for color can choose from four shades, while three built-in screensavers with Dynamic LED Lighting effects are especially cool.

Tic Toc

“It’s hip to be square” is the tagline for this tween line of mp3 players. With its frothy, whimsical design and small package (at a little over an inch, it fits comfortably in the palm of your hand), the Tic Toc uses gravity to control the device. Shake the player one way to forward to another song, or move it in another direction to alter volume levels. Using G-Sensor, it detects the motions in order to operate. Ideal for tweens who love pastels and shaking their booty.

Ice Touch

Kids are fanatical about cool new gadgets and the Samsung Ice Touch is like something straight out of a Bond film, well, maybe more Spy Kids. The 16GB mp3 player boasts a transparent two-inch tempered glass screen, can play DVD-quality video, studio quality audio, view photos, play FM radio and function as a flash disk.

With its TouchWiz user interface, buttons are a thing of the past — so 2009! Thanks to the touch screen, users can control it from behind without having to block the screen.