Seriously, forums, how come we've never talked about this yet??

That's right, I'm talking about him:

Or her.

I want to know:

• Its name
• what its cost is
• what its ability should be

Ready... set... speculate!

(EDIT: COULD THIS BE THE REAL X-WING FIX?!)

You mean BB-8?

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/BB-8

That's actually a good question. Where are the salvaged astromechs? I mean the scum-wing can't have an exclusive upgrade slot.

I love BB-8. All the haters need to get with it!

Yes they should have a new jettisonable astromech slot that is where BB-8 belongs... it then becomes a deployable debris field! .

I have no words for this oversized bowling ball...

Is this still called an astromech?

I have no words for this oversized bowling ball...

Is this still called an astromech?

Given that the old republic bins on wheels were also astromechs... probably.

Is this Rolldroid kind of a new JarJar?

Are those the elements that are intended to create 'fun' especially for the 'kids'?

Well ... nevermind ... not even a single blaster would work.... so ... lets pretend those are astrodroids.

I accept it...but I don't have to like it.

I've no problems with BB8, like I have no problems with Chopper.

We shall see how he is in half a year or so. I choose to believe that lessons were learned from the prequels, and that JJ Abrams knows what he is doing.

Blast it!

Or you can get a huge ass magnet, attach it to the underside of an ATAT and use two of these for it's balls?

Then you can ATAT teabag echo base.

Say what you want about BB-8 as a character (which would be difficult seeing as how we know very little about it) - you can't deny:

a. the brilliance of the practical model

b. the fact that they made a practical model - even when it would have been easier to do it digitally

Both points give me some measure of hope for the new world order here

While normally I'd say something like "Hope is the first step on the road to disappointment." I actually agree here.

As a method of movement an omnidirectional ball isn't actually a bad shout. I'm just wondering where all the tools are kept.

What tools? Its just a ball with a head on top.

Looks like it might be BB-8 in the model X-wing that was shown at celebration.

How does BB-8 climb stairs?

Rockets

Same as R2-D2

Rockets

Where do they rocket from?

Same as R2-D2

R2-D2 climbs stairs using the three legs he has. BB-8 has no legs.

I was making a joke about Episode II R2-D2 getting booster rockets

I would say, much like the R2 units are capable of navigating hyperspace routes, perhaps BB-8 is capable of navigating a route that avoids stairs...

#overthinkingthings

(sarcasm aside - he appears to have panels around his orbital body just like R2 and the tools are smart enough to pop out of whatever door is necessary)

It'll be interesting to see if they address it in the movie or if they just conveniently avoid the scenario. I think you may be right about the panels, though. It does seem like they could house a lift that pushes him up off the ground a little. Maybe it even just makes him hop in short bursts.

Looks like it might be BB-8 in the model X-wing that was shown at celebration.

Yeah that is him!