Tag: dogs

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Connected Objects Pets

Flipaw makes you and your pooch Facebook friends

Many would unequivocally agree: dogs should speak. Unfortunately they don’t, but that doesn’t stop people from trying to help them do so. While truly useful versions of this technology is are still a long way off (even the NoMoreWoof is only a working prototype), it doesn’t mean there isn’t some fun to be had.

Give your dog a digital voice and keep up with their daily movements with the Flipaw smart collar, an accessory that sends SMS messages, posts Facebook statuses, and tweets all about a dog’s daily activities in a fun way. During setup, owners complete a short personality profile for their pooch that determine the kind of messages generated when the Flipaw triggers sensors placed around the home. Combined with variables like the location of the sensor, weather, dates, and crowdsourced data, some pretty snarky and genuinely funny messages can be generated. 2000 stories have already been drafted with many more on the way when doggy data is dished out.

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Connected Objects Pets

Take your dog on a walk with the CARLOS smart leash to see how the other side lives

Nothing escapes the inevitable fusion of the mundane with Bluetooth technology. It’s in everything from wallets to car diagnostic boards, giving smartphone owners far greater control over things that previously were beyond their wireless reach.

CARLOS tends this trend in a much furrier direction, combining smart design with wireless capabilities to transform the dog walk into a truly 21st century activity. The sleekly designed smart leash with a host of built in characteristics setting it apart from the norm.

Physically, the handle of the leash houses various implements that make any walk easier and safer, things like a night light, bag holder, treat compartment, and an ultrasound insect repellent. Users can even charge their phone with the USB port present at its base, so dog lovers can give their phones one last bit of energy before the day starts.

Continue reading “Take your dog on a walk with the CARLOS smart leash to see how the other side lives”
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Pets

Leash Tamer won’t tangle, tames several dogs at once

Finding just the right leash for that furry best friend can be a challenge. And retractable leashes are not always as convenient or safe as they need to be.

Leash Tamer is a retractable leash that can be set for three, six, or ten feet but is non-mechanical. Leash Tamer is touted as being multi-functional, which includes being able to tether more than one dog to the leash along with non-mechanical tangle resistance. Basically, it’s made of elastic, which is why it is claimed as being retractable without being mechanical. It also appears that a set of keys can be attached to it so that they don’t have to be carried in a pocket or purse.

It’s not entirely clear how Leash Tamer is any more lightweight, durable or tangle-resistant than other leashes on the market. The notion that there hasn’t been much improvement on leashes is lacking market observations. A few new leash options that backers may want to check out include All Ready Leash, Leash Mate, and The Watchdog. This campaign seeks to raise $40,000. Early bird backers get one Leash Tamer for $19 donation with an expected delivery of April 2015.

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Pets

Zumby becomes a weapon in the war on dog breath

Dogs have bad breath, though research shows their mouths are cleaner than ours. Ew. Even so, dogs still get gum disease, just like humans do. Regular brushing can prevent this, but it’s unlikely that owners will get a chance to brush their dog’s teeth everyday. Playing around, however, is another matter. That’s why the folks at Zumby have created a toy that not only entertains your dog, but cleans their teeth as well. Using vague-sounding micro-current technology, harmful bacteria is killed all without the dog knowing.

According to the campaign, this technology works on humans as well. It begs the question: why aren’t the Zumby people making a human version? Still, this clever product is great for dog lovers who can’t bear to watch their pooches suffer. One Zumby will set backers back $50 for delivery in April 2015. This product is looking to met a $35,000 goal on Indiegogo.

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Pets

Schnuzzle dog toy appeals to your schnauzer’s shnoz

SchnuzzleRoast chicken, beef, barbecue, and even honey bacon are foods that many dogs enjoy. So Schnuzzle has taken these savory scents and combined them with colorful and interestingly shaped dog toys. Since the parts are interchangeable, new toys can be created for the family’s best friend, and the scent disks can also be swapped and replaced so that toys seem to offer a new experience each time dogs enjoy them. Presently, only the roast chicken scent is available, but the others are in the making as backers support this campaign. For $30 AUD backers get one complete product with some interchangeable chew parts and an expected delivery of April 2015.

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Pets

FIDO is a patch of turf for your dog to do its business indoors

The Premise. Dog owners know that part of having a pooch entails taking them for several walks daily so that they can do their business. Those up north have trouble with this when the snow and ice settle in for almost half of the year. For dogs that are unwilling to brave the cold, most opt to use smelly, gross pee pads in their house for their pets to go on. 

The Product. FIDO stands for the Fully Integrated Dog Omni-Trainer. It is basically a pee pad on steroids. This product features a large grassy square of turf that dogs can “go” on. Underneath the grass there are several other layers designed to guide all the “ick” onto a pee pad below. It comes with drawers that hold the replacement pee pads, the current pad as well as scent strips to cut down on nasty odor. An added treat dispenser helps to reward and train dogs with the FIDO even includes the option for a prerecorded message from the owner. Can smartphone notification be far behind?

The Pitch. The campaign video shows the sibling creators of FIDO taking about how their elderly parents who live in the cold inspired their product. It also shows dogs actually using the product with ease. The rest of the campaign goes into their long prototyping process and details each attachment of FIDO separately. This product hopes to raise $30,000 in a 45-day Kickstarter campaign.

The Perks. FIDO itself will cost backers a donation of $50 with delivery expected in November 2014. Lower reward tiers offer a medication for dogs with hip and joint issues. Reward levels go all the way up to $1,000.

The Potential. FIDO seems like well-considered approach to get your dog to pee inside. The campaign doesn’t say much about number two, but for number one, FIDO is the way to go. Regular old pee pads are kind of disgusting and smelly. Other products in this arena that also feature turf, like the aptly named Tinkle Turf, are extremely messy and collect the urine in a large, sloshy tray making it difficult to clean up. All in all, FIDO gives dogs and owners alike the chance to remain indoors when the snow and ice are too much to bear, or pee on.

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Connected Objects Pets

PetPal separates electronics from feeder to dispense foods remotely

The Premise. Having pets is wonderful, but it’s necessary to find someone to care for them when you’re out of town. It’s tough to travel or even go out for the day when you have to worry about feeding your dog or cat.

The Product. PetPal is a pet feeding system that holds up to 15 pounds of food. Using Wi-Fi and an app, pet owners can dispense food into the bowl without actually being in the house. A button on the top dispenses food too so the bowl can also be used when you’re home. The PetPal has a camera and motion detectors so that you can see and take photos or videos of when your pet eats. A microphone and speaker lets you hear your pet and talk to it as well.

The Pitch. Ken Powers, the creator, talks about his love of animals and pets in the video. He wanted to make a product that would not only feed his pets, but that would also allow him to see and talk to them when he’s away. In the rest of the campaign he discusses how he wanted to build his product like his durable toaster that has lasted him for 40 years. PetPal hopes to raise $150,000 in its 45-day Kickstarter campaign.

The Perks. PetPal’s reward tiers offer three early bird specials at $350, $360 and $360. The system goes for regular price of $395. All tiers have estimated delivery dates of August 2014.

The Potential. There have been a lot of pet care products looking for crowdfunding recently. PETLY is an automatic pet feeder that works off of a schedule to deliver food at regular times. Pintofeed also has Wi-Fi capabilities so that you can feed your animal from a smartphone, computer or tablet. Most similar to the PetPal, the iCPooch lets dog owners video chat/bark with their pets and even deliver them a treat it they’d like. PetPal is by far the most sophisticated of these. It delivers food either manually or automatically and the microphone and camera are a great way to keep an eye on things at home. The price, however, is quite steep compared to similar products being developed. Other than the expense, PetPal looks like a perfect way to feed and keep an eye on pets when out of town.

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Pets

K9 Insulated Dog Water Bottle hydrates heroes with hindquarters

K9 bottleK9 police squads and military units that use dogs need an easy way to give them water on the go. Most bowls that people use let water get hot and aren’t easily transportable. The K9 Unit Insulated Dog Water Bottle uses a unique design to fix these problems. It keeps water cool and has an attachment at the bottom that easily gives dogs water, but is also easy to put back onto the bottle when finished. One of these bottles costs backers $25 with an estimated delivery date of August 2014. The K9 bottle hopes to raise $20,000 in a 30-day Kickstarter campaign.

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Pets

Scoopette provides extra protection, traction in picking up after pooches

ScoopetteHere’s the scoop: picking up dog poop is not the most charming thing about having a pooch. Scoopette manages to alleviate some of the discomfort that everyone experiences when picking up after a dog. It essentially looks like a small claw, and is designed to be an extension of your hand when picking up dog poo through a plastic bag. The Scoopette is made of colored plastic with an etching of a cute dog on the side and straps to fasten your hands to. Conveniently, the Scoopette also features a dispenser attachment that holds bags, much like P.U.P, a bag dispenser for dog leashes. Scoopette’s creators are hoping to raise $10,000 with their Indiegogo campaign. Backers can scoop up the Scoopette for $15 if they’re early enough, or for $20 as the regular price. with an estimated delivery of July 2014.

 

Categories
Connected Objects Pets

iCPooch offers videochats, snacks to defeat doggie doldrums

The Premise. Snoopy has it pretty good. He can act out the carefree antics of Joe Cool, have exciting Red Baron adventures, mess with little kids as the Easter Beagle or Great Pumpkin, win first place in a Christmas light contest, and perhaps best of all, demand dinner on a whim. Meanwhile, other dogs are stuck at home in an empty house while their owners get to have all the fun!

The Product. iCPooch is one dog owner’s attempt to bring relief to the depression that many dogs experience when their entire world has walked out the door a duration that seems unending. Owners simply connect the doggie delighting device to a wireless router, and then they can easily stay in touch with their four-legged family member. Yes, now even dogs can make their own selfies of sorts as they videobark with their humans by using their very own smartphone or tablet attached to an included adjustable mounting bracket. And just like any savvy record representative for a major label or a Hollywood studio lawyer, the owner maintains control. In this case, that’s with the iCPooch Android app, iOS app, or Web browser. Owners can even deliver a treat at the click of a mouse if their doggie is behaving. Several treat sizes will be compatible with the enclosed reloadable and removable bin.

The Pitch. The video for the $20,000 campaign, which doesn’t shy from playing on viewers’ emotions for funding, aims clearly at those with busy lives who see their dog as being more than just their stay-at-home pet. It’s quickly revealed that the product was invented by a poised 14-year-old, a pretty impressive feat even if she did get a bit of help from Dad with the details.

The Perks. There are eight tiers from which backers may choose. The $99 early bird special offers a complete product, plus Fido’s name in computer monitor lights via a listing as a Founding Pet who helped bring the project into the lives of other struggling doggies and their grateful owners. The estimated delivery is May 2014 for all levels.

The Potential. iCPooch could be useful to any smartphone vidchatter who feels that their dog needs a little extra tender loving care and a little less privacy. However, it seems that trusted neighbors might be able to check in occasionally to calm an anxious pet until its human family can get home. iCPooch appears to be a one-of-a-kind product that can make a dog’s life a bit less of a dog’s life when you’re away.