Trading for Techies: World’s First Video Trading Cards

Remember when the most exciting thing you got in a pack of trading cards was a piece of stale, chalky bubble gum? Panini, the well-known trading card company, has paired up with media tech team Recom Group to develop the first-ever video trading cards. The Panini HRX (Highlight Reel Xperience) cards will be made of thick cardboard and feature a thin screen covering one side. The cards have a 2GB capacity and come pre-loaded with highlight footage of the athlete featured on each card: Kobe Bryant, Blake Griffin, Kevin Durant or John Wall.

Before you ask why kids who have smart phones and iPods would possibly want crummy old trading cards, consider the fact that the cards are re-writable. You can load them with your own data, so if you’re not a fan of one of the featured athletes you’re free to load your own highlight reel, cartoons or even homework. You won’t be able to purchase these cool cards, though: random packs of regular Panini cards will contain vouchers redeemable for the video cards.

submit to reddit
See more in Audio & TV or under Gadgets. May, 2011.