Michael Nunez, writing for Gizmodo:

The ThingMaker 3D is an aggressively priced ($300) 3D printer that pairs with an app to allow kids to create a wide range of toys than span both jewelry and figurines. The companion app that operates the printer is actually a very sophisticated 3D modeling software that lets kids or parents render new toys straight from their tablet or smartphone. You can wirelessly transmit your designs directly from your touchscreen device to the printer.

Mattel partnered with software company Autodesk to make sure that the app was fast, easy to navigate and wouldn’t crash like so many other poorly made toy apps. Because the software was outsourced to autodesk, it actually works with other 3D printers too—not just the ThingMaker 3D.

When I was a kid, I was all about action figures, video games, computers, and building toys — like LEGO. The ThingMaker 3D is a mashup of all of these and I would have absolutely loved to have one as a child. Hell, I wouldn’t mind having one now.