Pet Phone: Your Pet Can Now Call You!

Pet Phone Promises Direct Communication with Your Furry Friends

The concept of staying connected with our pets has taken a surprising leap forward with the introduction of Pet Phone, a device that goes far beyond simple GPS tracking. Gloal, the company behind this innovative gadget, aims to bridge the distance between owners and their pets by enabling two-way communication, essentially turning your pet into a potential caller.

Beyond Tracking: A Two-Way Communication Device

At its core, Pet Phone attaches to your pet’s collar and functions as a robust activity tracker, logging daily movements and providing location data. This alone would place it among the more advanced pet wearables on the market. However, Gloal has integrated speakers and a microphone, allowing pet owners to speak directly to their companions when they’re away. Imagine hearing your dog’s excited barks or your cat’s purrs right on your phone – a comforting thought for many pet parents.

The “Butt Dial” Feature: When Your Pet Calls You

The truly groundbreaking, and perhaps slightly chaotic, feature of Pet Phone is its ability for pets to initiate calls to their owners. Gloal claims that a pet can trigger a call to your registered phone number by performing a specific action: jumping three times within a six-second window. This means that alongside the usual telemarketing and spam calls, you might just receive a call initiated by your furry friend. While the intention is to allow pets to reach out when they might be feeling anxious or simply want attention, the practical implication of a “butt dial” from your dog is a humorous, yet potentially frequent, occurrence.

Peek into Your Pet’s World with the Camera Module

For those who constantly wonder what their pets get up to when left alone, Pet Phone offers an optional camera module. This add-on allows owners to see the world from their pet’s perspective, providing real-time video feeds. Whether it’s to check if your cat is napping in a sunbeam or to see what mischief your dog is getting into, the camera module adds another layer of connection and oversight.

The Catch: Subscription Fees and Initial Cost

As with many modern tech gadgets, Pet Phone is not without its ongoing costs. The device itself is priced at $106, which includes a complimentary month of service. After the initial free period, users will need to subscribe to a monthly plan costing $8. This recurring fee covers the communication and data services required for the tracking, calling, and camera functionalities. While $8 a month might seem reasonable for the features offered, it’s an additional expense to factor in, especially on top of existing pet care costs.

Who Should Consider Pet Phone?

Pet Phone is clearly aimed at the dedicated pet owner who experiences separation anxiety as much as their pets do, or those who simply crave a deeper level of interaction with their animals. If you frequently leave your pets at home for extended periods and worry about their well-being, the ability to call them or receive a call from them could be invaluable. The camera module is a bonus for the ultra-curious owner who wants to monitor their pet’s activities, perhaps to understand their behavior better or to ensure they aren’t getting into trouble.

Comparison to Existing Pet Trackers

While the market is flooded with GPS pet trackers like Whistle and Fi, Pet Phone differentiates itself significantly by introducing voice communication and the ability for pets to initiate calls. Most existing trackers focus primarily on location and activity monitoring, with some offering remote listening capabilities. Pet Phone’s interactive communication features, however, set a new benchmark, blurring the lines between a tracker and a communication device. The added subscription cost, however, places it in a similar pricing tier as some of the more feature-rich competitors.

Availability and Pricing Summary

The Pet Phone is available for purchase at $106, which includes the first month of service. Subsequent months of service will cost $8 per month. Details regarding specific release dates or international availability were not provided in the initial announcement.

Specs & Key Features

• Device Cost: $106 (includes 1 month of service)
• Monthly Subscription: $8
• Core Functionality: GPS location tracking, activity logging
• Communication: Two-way voice calls (owner to pet, pet to owner)
• Pet-Initiated Calls: Triggered by jumping 3 times in 6 seconds
• Optional Module: Camera for pet’s-eye view
• Attachment: Collar-mounted

While the idea of your dog calling you might sound like a scene from a futuristic comedy, Pet Phone presents a tangible step towards a more connected future for pets and their owners. Whether the convenience and connection outweigh the cost and the potential for “butt dials” remains to be seen, but it’s undoubtedly an intriguing development in the world of pet technology.

Source: Would you get this for your pets? I think my dog would call too much and my cat would block me. (YouTube)