Last month I posted about a Wired story on Ugobe's planned robopet, and orders were to be shipped in March. Sadly, Paul Miller filled me in that the plan has changed, and the Pleo debut has been pushed back to the summer, but preorders will still be taken from March onward. The early adopter price has gone up to $300 from $250, but the delay is caused by efforts to improve the experience. Improved speakers, a new touch sensor under the chin, and better skin texture are all being installed.

I'm not too upset at the delay; I can see an entirely new market for digital interfaced pets exploding if the company can transcend the image of a toy. I think that the only way to make that happen is with a flawless launch of a "killer app" style product.

Lance Ulanoff from PC Mag did mention a bit of good news. that Ugobe is holding an essay contest. In 250 words or less they'd like to hear an answer to: "How do you envision robotic life forms influencing or touching your life in the next five years?" 500 entries will be accepted, and ten winners will receive a Pleo from one of the first shipments.