Doc Johnson previewed the iVibe Rabbit interactive vibrator at the 9th annual Adult Novelty and Manufacturers Expo on Tuesday.
High Joy is ballyhooing the product as a “sexual revolution.”
“You can control somebody’s sex toy over the Internet from all over the world," High Joy President Amir Vatan told XBiz. "This is 2004 – it’s about time somebody really provided sex online.”
The interactive technology allows users to control their partner’s vibrator.
“Users go to Highjoy.com, buy the toy for approximately $125, and become members of the site for about $9.95 per month," Vatan said. "Then they find somebody in the world they can do video and audio chat with and engage in online consensual safe sex.” He added that use can be uni- or bi-directional.
Long-distance lovers can join together, or solo users can become members on their own, finding online partners through profiling. Vatan likened this portion of High Joy’s service to an adult version of Match.com.
Another intriguing, and potentially lucrative, use of the technology and membership could involve porn stars, Vatan said. Adult performers can have interactive sex with their fans online using the iVibe.
“We’ll pay porn stars commissions for every member they signup,” Vatan said. “We are working with Vivid to integrate our technology with Vivid.com.”
Vatan told XBiz High Joy is also partnering with a leading sex toy company Doc Johnson, which will manufacture and distribute iVibe worldwide.
Doc Johnson is presenting the iVibe at the Adult Novelty and Manufacturers Expo at the Sheraton Universal in Universal City, Calif. Through today, 90 exhibitors are displaying sex toys and the like at the convention.
Vatan also explained that in addition to the iVibe Rabbit’s interactive use, it has other models of operation.
“The iVibe has a stand alone use with batteries," he said. "It can also be computer enabled. Users can watch their favorite video and control their own toy in their own computer. iVibe is connected to the computer to control its motor functions.”
However, it is iVibe’s purported interactivity that is generating the most buzz. Adult webmasters have long sought to deliver actual sex via the Internet.
Is iVibe the Holy Grail that will revolutionize the adult Internet by finally fulfilling this fantasy?
Convergence Inc. Pres. David Levine attended ANME and checked out iVibe.
“Five or six years ago, people came up with the idea," Levine said. "It always sounded good. But I tried similar products before and it did not work out. It was very cumbersome. The technology was not user-friendly. I tried selling a couple of different items but they didn’t go anywhere."
However, Convergence president gives the iVibe the high five.
“It looks simple, is nicely made, high quality, and not too expensive. I’d like to offer it. But the big question is: Will it catch on? Will people want to buy it?” asked Levine, whose sextoy.com is one of the Internet’s largest adult novelty affiliate programs.
Doc Johnson started taking pre-orders for iVibe at ANME, and will release it in time for the Christmas season. Vatan boldly told XBiz that this new interactive technology “will become the standard for adult entertainment.”
Time will tell.