You've heard of online social networking. What about social netwoofing? The toy company Mattel announced today that it is developing a product called "Puppy Tweets," which will allow your dog to send Twitters, those abbreviated Internet posts that keep friends and colleagues in the know.
The toy has two parts, a plastic collar tag that contains a sound and motion sensor and a USB receiver that you plug into your computer. The tag comes with pre-written, prerecorded tweets that are activated by your dog's activity. So if she's sleeping, the tag may automatically send the tweet, "Somedays it feels like my paw is permanently on the snooze button!" If she's woofing, the tweet may say, "YAHOOOOOOO! Somedays you just gotta get your bark on."
My dog gets her bark on daily.
This toy, which is expected to retail for $29.99, is one of many attempts out there to capitalize on social netwoofing.
Sniftag also combines a hi-tech tag with an online social media site. Equipped with an accelerometer and motion analysis software, the information about what your dog is most likely doing determines your dog's most likely activity state. Owners can check in with the dog at a web site to see what their dog is up to.
It also uses a wireless protocol to communicate with other Sniftags nearby dogs may be wearing. The tags automatically swap unique identifying codes and relay the encounter to the server when the dogs return to the SNIF Base Station at their home.
There's also Mydogspace, Dogster, and Fuzzster, to name just a handful of social networking sites for the online canine. community. Not sure which one is right for you? Here's a rundown to help you chose.
Photo: Courtesy Mattel
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