The HoundRound?
Admin: Melody Chen
Categories: Gadgets, News, Products
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Apr 23, 2010 - View Comments
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AT&T has partnered with location-tracking specialist Apisphere to create a dog collar with an embedded SIM card so that you’ll never lose your dog again. Users simply snap the collar on their dog, and then can set up a “geo-fence” that enables alerts to be sent whenever the pooch goes too far. And of course, the dog can be tracked at any time through the use of specialized software.
Because it’s using SIM technology, users can also set up a list of contacts, all of whom can be notified if there are any red flags raised about the dog’s current location. The location will be specific down to the street level.
“There are few things as important to my daughter as knowing the whereabouts of our dog. The peace of mind that a wirelessly connected collar will bring my family and pet owners across the country is long overdue,” said president of AT&T’s Emerging Devices division, Glenn Lurie.
The “smart” dog collar will be available later this year. Pricing and distribution details were not announced.
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I think I’ll stick to the traditional way of washing my hounds… soap, water and a little bit of elbow grease.
– Kenn
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By Richard Metzger for thisisbrandx.com
Pet lovers know what I’m talking about when I say it’s really difficult to take a picture of your pets and accurately capture just how darnn cute they are. Perhaps my dog hasn’t mastered the red carpet poses of masters like Beyonce, Paris Hilton or even the cast of MTV’s “Jersey Shore,” but it’s still frustrating when every single picture we take of the little guy comes back with the “red eye” syndrome and with our 9-pound pooch looking like he’s part of a police lineup. And just try to take a picture of a black cat. Your cat may look all panther-like to the naked eye, but make an attempt to grab a shot that shows how truly gorgeous that sleek kitty is and, well, you just can’t do it. Trust me, I’ve tried. A lot.
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I thought this was pretty incredible. Watch the video and then check out their site at http://www.retrievatracking.com/
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It’s always nice to see that the “love of dogs” knows no borders!
– Kenn
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By Meredith May For The San Francisco Chronicle
The iPhone app, Fido Factor, helps owners find and post reviews of dog-friendly sites.
San Francisco — Not only does he say it’s dangerous – criminals like to take dogs with identification tags and then pose as Good Samaritans to collect rewards – but it also stresses the animals, making them more prone to aggression and anxiety problems.
His solution? A new iPhone app.
The former technology media consultant created Fido Factor, a free application that locates the nearest dog-friendly stores, restaurants, cafes, parks and hotels.
“I noticed there was this major disconnect between businesses and dog owners,” said O’Neill, 28, who likes to run errands with his 6-year-old Irish Terrier, Kole.
“Many welcome dogs but have no medium to convey that message, and dog owners have no way to find out,” he said.
To create the database, O’Neill spent three months walking all over San Francisco with Kole, asking business owners whether canines could cross the threshold.
He found some surprising welcomes – dogs are allowed in some Wells Fargo banks, the Crate & Barrel store in the Castro district, select coin laundries and many restaurants and bars with outdoor patios.
Some of what he found was common local knowledge, but when he collected it, and noted whether the places had dog bowls, treats or resident dogs, he had created a type of dog Yelp.
In Wiki-style, users who find additional locales can post them to Fido Factor, as well as write reviews of any of the 1,200 Bay Area businesses already listed.
Fido Factor accepts reviews from anywhere in the country. New York, Portland and Boston were the first to show up beyond San Francisco in the database, followed by Nevada and North Carolina.
Nearly 5,000 people have downloaded Fido Factor since it was released last July.
“There isn’t really one online resource where dog owners review all types of establishments, so you’re at the mercy of word-of-mouth, but this is real time info,” said Tina Ahn, director of development for the San Francisco SPCA.
Ahn recently arranged a business dinner at Water Bar in the Ferry Building after using Fido Factor, so she wouldn’t have to leave her puppy at home in a crate.
O’Neill is in talks with the SPCA to turn Fido Factor into a source of micro-philanthropy for the shelter. After Fido Factor’s first year developing a user base, he plans to add advertising to generate revenue, freeing him up to donate $1 to the SPCA each time a user adds a new location and 50 cents per new review.
Nicole Macias of San Francisco has reviewed at least 70 establishments for Fido Factor.
“My dog goes with me everywhere, she’s a regular Muni rider, and I want to be able to find places when I’m already out, and not have to worry,” she said.
Shop owner Michael Williams doesn’t allow drinks or large backpacks in Medium Rare Music on Market Street, but dogs can come in.
“So many people in the neighborhood have pets,” he said. “It would be just silly to not let them in.”
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By Jill Rosen For The Baltimore Sun
Men of the world: I hope you’re sitting down: Someone’s invented a dog collar that doubles as a beer bottle opener.
Gives new meaning to ‘Here, boy,” huh?
Bark4Beer claims to be the worlds first purveyor of such a contraption. They’ve trademarked it, in fact.
The $14.95 collars, in case you’re concerned, come with matching leashes. (They missed an opportunity here in that the matching leashes don’t include a chip clip.)
The dignified folks behind this product write on their press release: “Essentially, we can turn your favorite four-legged friend into the ultimate party animal ensuring that there is no shortage of tail at your next party.”
Nice…..
Yep. They’re here. It was only a matter of time before the Snuggie sensation enveloped our four-legged family members.
Sure. I know what you’re thinking: “My dog doesn’t need to worry about keeping out the draft whilst reading a book or snarfing around in the fridge during a commercial break like I do.” BUT, let’s face it. When it comes to wearing a fleece blanket, logic will get you nowhere.
As the website attests, these pooch-sized Snuggies are not only “cute” and “comfy,” but they’ll also keep your canine “totally warm out in the chilly air.” And really, what’s better than walking a dog wrapped in a blanket? Unless maybe you’re wearing one too, of course.
And besides uniformed walks and curling up on the couch together, there’s always next Halloween when the two of you are sure be the hit of the party.
Plus, the traffic-halting pink and blue options will ensure that no one at the dog park will ever mistake your “he” for a “she” again.
Watch the video below to learn how the Snuggie is revolutionizing pet fashion and inching one step closer to world domination in the process. (My favorite parts: the panting Golden Retriever who looks both superhero-ish and hot and the plug about the little numbers being machine washable so together “you and your pet can enjoy years of warmth and comfort.
I found this iPhone app this past weekend and it certainly does as advertised.
Max, The Dog Files Mascot is a sucker for squeaky toy’s and this gets him running to me from wherever he is in the house. Very cute! Check it out here.
Honda’s first stateside attempt at attracting car-shopping dog lovers in one fell swoop is a month from being unleashed.
American Honda Motor Co. Inc. said Monday that its dog-accommodating Element is set to be available Nov. 16, about a month after the light truck’s 2010 model begins arriving at dealerships. Features on the dog-friendly model include a cushioned cargo bed area with safety restraints, second-row pet seating with restraints, a spill-resistant water bowl, special ventilation fans, bone and paw print-patterned floor mats and a retractable ramp to help animals get in and out of the vehicle.
Honda executives have said that if a buyer wants to buy the options, they will be added to the truck at dealerships, not on the production line.
The sticker price for the dog-friendly equipment is $995, Honda said. Next year’s model of the Element, which is assembled in East Liberty, starts at $20,525.
The effort to provide canine-friendly upgrades to the Element started in 2005 in Japan with the Wow, a wagon aimed at dog owners. In the United States, the Element previously was recognized as the Dog Car of the Year by Dogcars.com, which reviews vehicles and travel products for canines.
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