The apps remind me a little of Tamagotchi, the hit Japanese digital pet phenomenon.

FORBES: Outfit7 Wants To Build The Next Barbie Or Tamagotchi

The new Aibo, called the Aibo LM, will also come with all the bells and whistles that blessed the previous version of Aibo: the ability to read your e-mail, take digital pictures or simply provided endless hours of pet-like amusement.

FORBES: Sony's Robot Dog Has Pups

Using either of the two EX models, even beginners can shoot excellent videos with the help of Smile Meter, which shows how big a smile is in percentage points, Smile Shot, which automatically takes a digital still when it detects a great smile, and Pet Shot, which automatically shoots stills when a dog or cat faces the camera.

ENGADGET: JVC's 2012 Everio 1080p camcorder lineup gains WiFi, enables geotagging and remote control via smartphone