Why the boom in augmented reality toys is here to stay

Parker is an augmented reality-equipped teddy bear that kids can interact with on an iPad or in real life. (Seedling/TNS)

From the outside, Parker looks like a soft and huggable teddy bear, just the right size for dragging around the house. But Parker holds secrets in his small frame. 

When viewing the bear through a smartphone app, kids can treat his ailments, landscape his dreams – and even peer into his guts and bones.