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Garmin announces new dog collars, talks up 'Bark Odometer'
Garmin's not content with just a spot on your dashboard -- the company's also hoping to help you out with your pet problems. The GPS-maker's got a couple of new additions to its line of dog collars, including the BarkLimiter series, which offers up an accelerometer-powered bark identification system and a Bark Odometer to help you keep track of your canine's woof mileage. The collar is lightweight and waterproof and promises to increase "stimulation" as barking continues. The collar'll run you $80 for standard and $100 for the deluxe edition. You can also get the BarkLimiter technology in the company's Delta series of collars, which let you set a virtual leash up to three-quarters of a mile. That line runs $200 without the bark limiting and $250 with.
Fujitsu's Wandant dog pedometer tracks your pet's moves, uploads them to the cloud
There's a whole host of techy tools that will let you log your 10k personal best, and break down your splits into minute detail, but what about poor old Rover? Fujistu spotted this gap, and created Wandant -- a sensor-laden neck tag for dogs complete with cloud-based service for tracking your pooch's wellbeing. The hardware will log your pet's footsteps, amount of shivering plus temperature change, and upload it automatically via your smartphone or PC. The software will present you these data over time, with the option of manually inputting further details such as food amount, a diary with photos and -- for those with stronger constitutions -- stool condition. Like human-focused equivalents, there will also be provisions for sharing your dog's efforts, but thankfully only with vets and research institutions. There's no details on hardware pricing just yet, but the online component is free for the first year (JPY 420 / about $5 per month there after). Money no object for your mutt? Sadly only available in Japan for the time being, so you'll need to include a return ticket in that splurge too.
Go-Go Dog Pals lets you exercise Rover without tapping your precious calorie reserve
Sure you love your dog, but having him watch you sit on the sofa doesn't constitute playtime. Standing up and even running around outside together will surely get the job done, but why get up for exercise when you're perfectly comfortable on the couch? That's the idea behind Go-Go Dog Pals, coined "the funnest most fun way to exercise your dog." Unless you have a few acres to play with beyond the front door, you'll still need to to bring Rover out to the yard before unleashing the wireless gopher look-alike, but there finally appears to be a solution for controlling your dog just as you do your TV -- with a remote. The Go-Go has plenty of pep under the hood, thanks to its dual-motor, four-wheel drive and top speed of 35 kilometers (22 miles) per hour, and it could be yours for the not-so-modest sum of $300. There is a $25 discount on order, if you can pull the trigger by July 1st -- just enter "CHASE" at checkout. Paws-on video is just past the break.
SanDisk's Memory Vault will store your photos longer than anyone cares
According to a survey commissioned by SanDisk, family photos are the first thing people would save in a house fire, after relatives and pets. Personally, we'd rush for our laptop and let the dog take care of itself, but hey let's get to the point: SanDisk wants to sell you its new Memory Vault. This ruggedized flash drive contains proprietary Chronolock memory management technology that has been subjected to "accelerated temperature cycling tests" to prove it can preserve data uncorrupted for up to 100 years. Maybe the product is a boon to future generations, or maybe it's just a way of convincing people to spend $90 on 16GB of storage instead of picking up a Corsair Flash Survivor for $35. Decide for yourself once you've seen the further info and weird survey tidbits in the PR after the break.
Genetically modified mongrel takes drugs, glows in the dark
Labradoodles, Cockapoos and Puggles better make way, there's a new designer breed lighting up the pound -- blacklight-style. Using the same somatic cell transfer technique that birthed the first puppy clone, Korean researchers at Seoul National University created Tegon, a glow-in-the-dark female beagle. The four years in the making, 3.2 billion won ($3 million) genetically modified pup fluoresces when exposed to UV light after ingesting a doxycycline antibiotic. No doubt this Frankenweenie should have Uptown girls and Party kids scrambling for a bank loan, but a high-end canine accessory end is not what the team had in mind. Citing the 268 diseases mutt and man share, lead scientist Lee Byeong-chun believes future lab-made pooches could include "genes that trigger fatal human diseases," paving the way for life-saving treatments. If any of this is ringing your PETA alarm, we don't blame you. We'd much rather see this lambent hooch take the starring role in Tim Burton's next, great reboot. [Image credit via Reuters]
Steve Wozniak calls us all dogs, in a nice way
You can stop worrying about the robot apocalypse now. Steve Wozniak has weighed in on the matter, and it turns out we've pretty much lost. The Apple co-founder / dancing star discussed the subject with an Australian business crowd, mapping out a future in which artificial intelligence equals our own, and mankind's own input is meaningless. In other words, "We're going to become the pets, the dogs of the house." Woz added that his take on the whole war thing was, in part, a joke -- it's the part that wasn't that we're worried about. Though if our own dogs' existences are any indication, things could be a lot worse. [Thanks, Shaun]
TERA's first level 50 player interviewed
How long does it take enterprising players to reach the mythical endgame of Bluehole Studio's new TERA MMORPG? If you're a Popori Berserker named Dog, the answer to that question is not very long. The Korean version of TERA officially launched on January 25th, and Dog has already scaled the level grind summit to become the world's first max-level TERA toon. In an interview at TERAfans, Dog speaks to the leveling curve, the PvP, and the ease of the overall experience. He also admits to putting in "42 hours or so at the beginning before I have to sleep or before my guild forces me to sleep." So how about that endgame? The interview states that he hasn't seen much of it as of yet and offers no insight into TERA's super secret political system. Dog does indicate that he ran every dungeon in the game at least once during his whirlwind leveling journey and is "a little worried about how easy they are." We'll add the usual this-is-the-Korean-client qualifier here, and we'll also direct you to TERAfans for the full interview.
Mattel Puppy Tweets review
Though Twitter has become a greater professional tool than we'd imagine anyone ever intended it's still hard to take the service too seriously. We like silly twitterers, whether they be offering pretend writing advice, charting the reclusive tendencies of Hollywood's leading men, or just threatening to force choke any troll who gets in their way. Wouldn't it be fun if your pooch could get in on those antics? No, as it turns out, it isn't that fun at all. %Gallery-109426%
Garmin upgrades its doggone Astro tracking system with DC 40 collar GPS tracker
Chances are the closest you've come to hunting with a pooch is swearing at that giggle-happy mutt who shames your every miss in Duck Hunt. In the real world, dogs are sent out to flush game and track down new things to shoot at, often way out of sight. Garmin's Astro receiver, combined with the DC 30 collar tracker (pictured above), made it easy to keep the all seeing eye on your very own mutt even when miles away, and now the DC 40 makes it even easier. The DC 40 sports a redesign that should make it a more reliable companion, including a new charging connector that won't get clogged with mud. Also new is the ability to create a PIN so that other Astro users can't spy (and possibly even steal) your pooches. The Astro receiver can track up to 10 hounds at once at seven miles of range, and will even let hunters mark where their companions scurried up some prey for future reconnaissance. The price? Garmin isn't saying just yet, but the current DC 30 and Astro receiver package goes for $599, and we'd expect this to cost about the same, though the DC 40 collar unit itself is also said to be available separately if you just want to make sure your hound has the latest couture. Update: Garmin was kind enough to send us a picture of the new DC 40, above.
Breaking: Dog plays iPad Air Hockey
Sure, you've probably seen the video of a cat playing around with an iPad by now, but what about our other four-legged friend? Well, wonder no more, because Pixel the dog has now stepped up and shown cats how it's really done by not only playing Air Hockey on an iPad, but winning. Video after the break.
Chloe the Corgi, meet iPad
Well, we've already introduced a cat to the iPad, so a dog would naturally follow, right? Tested.com tried their best to bring their corgi Chloe (I really love corgis, ever since Cowboy Bebop) to the iPad, but as you can see in the video above, she doesn't take to it quite as well as Iggy the cat did. After a little sniffing and experimentation, things go south fast. Poor puppy! Just not muscially-inclined, I guess. Maybe she'd rather wait for the gPad. In the meantime, tell Jobs to get Ive on the line -- there's at least one canine demographic out there for which the iPad's interface isn't quite so intuitive. [via The Daily What, who also posted this fun music video featuring iPhones]
Dead to Rights: Retribution trailer is full of canine plagiarism
We were almost certain that the above Dead to Rights: Retribution trailer Namco Bandai recently sent us was a joke. Not because of its constant depictions of brutal dog-on-man violence (which, admittedly, is kind of hilarious), but because the content of the trailer is obviously ripped off from a recent film you're probably familiar with. Don't believe us? Check out the trailer above, then check out the film trailer after the jump. The stark similarities should be made abundantly clear.
Puppy Tweets will turn your Pooper into a world-class twitterer (Updated: with hands-on pictures!)
If you thought the downfall of Twitter began when Oprah said it was the best thing ever, well, you're probably right, but this latest toy from Mattel won't help to improve the situation. It's called Puppy Tweets, a little clasp that hangs from your pooch's collar and detects what it's up to -- presumably making wild guesses based on accelerometer and microphone readings. It was announced last month and is being shown off at the NY Toy Fair, where Mattel is pledging it can detect 500 different activities and turn them into 140-character witticisms, like: "It's not the catching of the tail, it's the chase," and "Guess what I'm licking right now." Yep, a real product, and $30 will get you yours in either pink or blue. Update: We had to check this thing out for ourselves at the Toy Fair today. Unfortunately, there wasn't a real pup on hand to demo, but we did confirm that this lightweight plastic collar can, as previously mentioned, tweet everything from licks to resulting carpet stains. Included in the box is a matching USB dongle which contains software that works with the collar to enable the Wi-Fi updates. It won't hit shelves until June, but check the gallery below. %Gallery-85482%
Mr. Ed-approved My Pet Speaker lets your stable rock softly, safely
File this one in the "you've got to be kidding me" category. Just in case you're terrified of your dog, cat, horse or Russian grizzly bear getting "put on alert" by the "jarring volumes and piercing sounds" that are generally emitted from your boombox, there's now a solution to your specific quandary. Pet Acoustics has just introduced the My Pet Speaker, an omni-directional sound system that contains a 4-inch driver, reduced bass levels and the extraordinary ability to "disburse music in 360 degrees recreating how animals hear in nature." Not good enough? The buttons are even positioned in the rear to keep your animals from skipping the awful tracks in your chosen playlist, and the "stable case design prevents easy knock down by pets." If you're a particular type of sucker (or you just enjoy hearing music with no bottom end whatsoever), you can claim your own in secret next month for $249.95. Rock on, Rosie.
Dog-e-Minder keeps tabs on your dog's vitals so you don't have to (video)
You're already weighing down the massive head of your Frenchton with some sort of bark collar and GPS-enabled location tracker, so what's another pendant around the neck, anyway? Dog-e-Minder, which is cleverly being marketed to the "As Seen On TV!" crowd, is a battery-powered device that records the last time your pup (or cat, or iguana, or anything else that rocks a leash) ate, walked or took his / her medications. Essentially, owners simply mash the corresponding button after an event has occurred, and an internal timer keeps track of how long it has been since said event has happened. It also doubles as a dog identification tag (displaying the owner's contact information and the pet's name) whenever it's idle, and it's even available in a foursome of hues to match your canine's personality. The pain? $19.95, and the second one is thrown in absolutely free. Obligatory TV spot is after the break, and remember, "If you own a dog, this product will change your life." Change your life. P.S. - There's also the Accuwalker for those of you who have no clue when the last time your pet was walked. Shame on you.
Puppy Tweets lets your puppy... tweet
Apple might think it's going to change the world tomorrow with some sort of crazy tablet, but we're here to tell you that the world has already changed. American humans will soon be able to buy a product called "Puppy Tweets," a product actually designed, tested, and released by the Mattel corporation. First, you need a dog with a Twitter account. (Who doesn't have one of those?) Then, you need to use $30 of your actual money to buy Puppy Tweets, a plastic sound-and-motion sensor that clips onto your dog's collar and sends out several pre-written tweets that have extreme amounts of dignity, like "YAHOOOOOOO! Somedays you just gotta get your bark on." Then you have to weep gently for the future of our society.
Dog buys 5,000 Microsoft points, says he just wanted to check out the Abbey Road DLC
Say what you will about dogs being man's best friend -- they sure can get into a lot of trouble. While our dogs have been limited to eating shoes and shedding on our furniture, Greg Strope of Richmond, Virginia has reason to believe his furry friend has gone the extra mile. While he lay in bed sleeping, his dog Oscar, he believes, purchased 5,000 Microsoft points. The only possible culprit, Oscar left some telltale signs (drool and scratches) on the Xbox controller, leading Greg to blame the $63 purchase on him. We have to admit the dog's actions rather impress us, though it also makes us nervous about all those times we left our laptop open and unattended around our own tiny beast. Video featuring damning photographic evidence is after the break.
Remote Pet Feeder feeds your pet, encourages your animal voyeurism habit
The last time we saw a computerized internet-controlled pet feeder, it had been lovingly, creatively cobbled together by a child. Well, it seems the idea's really got legs, as they now seem to be available on a mass-scale, in a nearly identical (albeit slightly more polished) form. Yes, just like the one designed by a boy somewhere in the 8-years-old-range, the Remote Pet Feeder comes with a webcam, a slightly modded bulk kibble feeder / bowl combo, and a 24-hour programmable timer. It's available now for about $290. [Via Coolest Gadgets]
LaserPup trains for battle with Laser Cats
We don't really know where to begin. LaserPup involves shooting a laser at a dog over the internet, nothing more, nothing less, but somehow it transcends traditionally pointless moddery and becomes something so much greater. Maybe it's because you shoot a dog with a laser over the internet. LaserPup is a ceiling-mounted laser and webcam whose beam can be directed around the floor with an iPhone-friendly browser-based interface. There's switch for turning on and off the lights, and when the laser is activated or deactivated it makes a sound to alert the dog that it's time to get shot at by lasers. In the future, there was a nuclear war... video is after the break.
Video: Internet dog feeder feeds your dog... via the internet
A young man named Tyler's built a little gadget that will feed his dog even when he's not around. Using an ioBridge IO-204 module and a continuously rotating servo in the feeder, he's able to dispense some kibble via a web page he's built which monitors the action via a webcam. Check the video -- the dog sure seems to think it's rad.[Via Make]