So I'm watching I want that! Tech Toys on TV and I ran across this product, so I decide to research it and review it.
It turns out it's a Korean manufacturer. Not going to dis it just from that because Samsung has actually come a long way and now makes some decent electronic products. Although I did hear that my friend's Samsung plasma TV just crapped out after just 5 short years.
Anyway, the PetWatch allows you to store food for your pet and control when it is dispensed by a web interface. It also allows you to run off a timer and record your own voice to tell your pooch to come when it's feeding time. (as if he won't smell it once it's out).
It also allows you to spy on your pooch with a tiny little built in webcam that is built right into the device.
More information on the product is available below.
http://eng.petwatch.co.kr/introduction.phpMy initial thoughts are wow, what an interesting idea. now, if i get stuck at work or am out and about and can't make it home to feed my dog, this is perfect in a pinch.
That's pretty much where my optimism ended. This thing has to be plugged into a wall electrical socket and has no battery back up in case you lose power. Even crazier, in order for the web cam to work you have to plug an ethernet cable into the back and connect it to your router? That's just nonsense. I can get over plugging it into the wall, because most electrical feeders have to be plugged into something, but with 75% of home networks already wireless, where am I going to find a cable long enough to plug this thing into my hidden wireless router?
You are already spending several hundred bucks to buy a device like this, presumably it's a few hundred dollars because of the internal web cam, drivers and software to run the simple mechanics of the product, but if my nikon coolpix camera can connect wireless to my Wifi network, why can't this?
Ok so much for reviewing the product when it's being used correctly. Next question is how does this product work when the dog starts acting like a dog. I know my dog would start to wonder where the food came from the first time it dispenses food, and with me not around, he'd definitely investigate. Does the top lock? The product is more tall than wide, what if the dog "noses" at it and knocks it over. Will the top come off revealing all the food? Will it still dispense food when it's knocked over and there is no gravity to pull the food down when the door is open?
Bottom line, i love everything this product wants to do, I'm hoping the company is around long enough to release new version. one that is wifi compatible and a little more puppy proof for the mischievous puppy.
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