14 DAY TRIAL // Many people own a pet or two, and cats and dogs are the most common and popular. Being huggable and pettable is a big part of the reason why. So much so that some people might appreciate the ability to interact with them even if they're not nearby.
The Petcube was created for exactly that purpose. It is a webcam that actually has the shape of a cube instead of just borrowing the word for the name.
We've seen lots of “cubic” products, most notably desktop cases that weren't really cubes at all. The Petcube is definitely square on all sides though, with a width of 4 inches. That means the item measures 4 x 4 x 4 inches, or around 100 x 100 x 100 mm.
What the Petcube does
Basically, it puts you in contact with your home and allows you to see your pet, talk to them and even play with them.
Well, provided your cat, dog, parrot or turtle know well enough to stay in front of the camera and recognize your voice for what it is.
A pretty tall order, but we suppose there's a certain thrill in gaining something new to train your animal companion in.
The camera has a field of view of 138 degrees and streams 720p video to your smartphone. You can use both an iPhone from Apple or any Android phone or tablet, since there are apps for both.
It's really not that hard to set up. Once you've downloaded the free app, you only need to press a button on the back of the camera, find it on your Wi-Fi network, and pair it with said home network.
From that point on, you and anyone else you allow can use a phone or tablet to speak to your pets through the two-way speaker/microphone.
The camera even integrates a built-in laser pointer which cats often like to run after and lunge for. That's where the “playing with your pet” part comes in.
You can move the laser beam by tapping your phone's screen. Anywhere in the camera's field of view is possible. Just don't point it at your pet's eyes.
Availability and pricing
The aluminum-clad Petcube is up for order at $199 / €161 and doesn't care what pet you own. It does have one limitation though: it can't move. Which we find kind of strange, because adding a stand of some sort couldn't have been such an engineering wonder. You can attach it to a standard tripod, but that doesn't provide mobility either.
