I remember back in the day I used to have my matchbox cars which I raced on the kitchen table, floor or cruised around this mat that had printed roads on it, you know jsut to have your own little city. Combine this with some LEGOs and damn, it was on like Donkey Kong. Back then Nintendo was a big deal, where as today’s youth is fully versed with digital goods and gadgets with many kids learning their A, B, Cs through an iPad. So what’s next for kids? Introducing Disney Cars 2 AppMates. Toy cars meet iPad.

According to Disney, (AppMATes) “a new line of toys that comes to life digitally when used with an Apple iPad allowing kids to use the tablet’s screen as a virtual play mat. The Appmates toy line features miniature Disney•Pixar Cars 2 vehicles with sensors on the base of each toy that are recognized as a unique footprint by an app with no cable or Bluetooth connection required.”

This is potentially pretty big. I can see this growing into series of toys ranging from different Disney characters combining the iPad as a surface. Being the big kid I am, I think this is pretty awesome. Naysayers are already saying that it is just a cash cow for Disney, but I think this is awesome. Something fresh for the kids. Take look at the video below for a better idea on how this works. Good stuff…

Via Gadget Review.