Are you into MSN Messenger? If the answer is yes, you need to stop msn-ing about with virtual icons and get yourself an e-Buddy. This smart little USB-friendly character looks just like the pixellated figure that pops up on screen every time a contact logs on. The difference is, e-Buddy is the real deal. Well as real as a translucent 3" figurine with a big glowing head and wings can be.

Sit e-Buddy on your monitor or desk and it will respond to incoming MSN messages in its own charming way. You can even program it to react to one specific account - ideal for that special someone. But here's the clever bit: as well as alerting you to your contacts' status, e-Buddy detects emotions (via emoticons) within messages and reacts accordingly.

Log on to MSN and wait for someone to send a message

Buddy detects the emoticons in the message

And then displays the emotions!

Buddy is angry!

For instance if someone puts a heart emoticon in their message, e-Buddy's head glows and it twists and flaps its wings. And if the blushing emoticon is detected, e-Buddy will glow red. Even cuter, a gleaming red heart in e-Buddy's chest illuminates whenever a contact is online.

With e-Buddy mounted on your monitor you can stroll over to the water cooler without having to worry about missing a message from a special friend. Simply keep an eye on this angelic-looking thingamajig's status and race back when it starts getting in a flap.

Ideal for MSN fans of all ages, e-Buddy brings the familiar yet mysterious Messenger figure to life like never before. We always thought it looked like a dumpy ches

s pawn with arms, but now we've seen it in the flesh (well, the plastic) it's taken on a whole new persona. In fact, if you're a fan of instant messaging, e-Buddy is a must-have accessory. So stop msn-ing about and get ordering!

More info

Please note:
e-Buddy is not Mac compatible

System Requirements:
PC running Windows 2000/XP/Vista.
MSN Messenger 7.0 or above.
One available USB port.
Contents:
1x e-Buddy
1x Mounting clip
1x 3" installation disk
1x Instruction guide
1x USB lead
Dimensions:
Packaging measures approximately 10cm(L) x 10cm(W) x 12cm(H)
e-Buddy measures approximately 4.5cm(W) x 7.8cm(H) x 5.5cm(D)
Cable length approximately 120cm