Leaving your pet(s) alone at home is something that's always hard to do, and it can actually be quite heartbreaking. Plus, every time you have to leave your pets at home, that can also easily become a worrying situation.
Some pets can become mischievous when left alone at home, as they might find different ways to keep themselves entertained by making a mess of whatever they find, whether that's a pair of shoes, or even your precious couch. Moreover, some pets can also suffer from separation anxiety when left alone (mainly dogs, but also cats), where they'll become extremely anxious and start showing distress behaviors until their owner(s) return home. This is where getting a smart pet camera can come in handy, as these smart home devices allow pet owners to not just see their pets and keep an eye on them, but also hear and talk to their furry friends, with some smart pet cameras even giving owners the ability of playing remotely with them and also toss their pets some delicious treats.
So, if you're looking for a reliable way to stay in touch with your beloved pets while you're away from home, then consider getting yourself the Petcube Bites 2 Lite.
The Petcube Bites 2 Lite is a Wi-Fi-enabled smart pet camera and treat dispenser equipped with an HD camera lens that can record 24/7 full HD 1080p live video at a 160 degree wide-angle view with TLS 128-bit Encryption. It also features 8x Digital Zoom, an Automatic Night Vision function, 2-Way Audio, and both Motion Detection and Audio Detection functions with instant Smartphone Notifications. There is a built-in treat-storage container with 1.5 pounds capacity from where pet treats can be dispensed, either manually via In-App Controls or automatically via programmed schedules. It offers access to a 3-Day Video History and to a 24/7 online Vet Chat that lets pet owners consult a professional veterinarian at any time.
With this smart pet camera and treat dispenser, pet owners can easily stay connected to their pets at all times, no matter where they might be. By using the Petcube Bites 2 Lite, owners can see, talk to and fling treats to their pets to keep their furry friends engaged and ultimately prevent anxious behaviors.
Now, let's have a more detailed look at it and check out everything that this smart pet camera and treat dispenser has to offer you.
DESIGN & SPECS
Starting with the unit's size, the device comes at a fairly compact size, measuring just 5.7 inches long by 3 inches wide by 10.6 inches tall.
On top of its sleek dimensions, the Petcube Bites 2 Lite also features a truly minimalist design that allows the unit to easily blend in with its surroundings.
When it comes to its construction, the device also features a very solid and durable build, as its outer shell is made of a high-quality TPU Plastic material, which makes the whole device completely pet-proof.
Moving on to the device's main components and functionalities. Starting at the bottom-left side of the unit, we have its HD camera lens, which allows the device to record 24/7 full HD 1080p live video at a 160°wide-angle view.
It's also important to note that the Petcube Bites 2 Lite's recorded video-data is securely streamed in real-time with the use of TLS 128-bit Encryption, which helps to ensure that the camera's video-content is private, being accessible only for the pet owners, and more importantly, hack-proof.
Not only that, but the Bites 2 Lite also features an Automatic Night Vision function that allows for a crystal-clear visualization of its recorded full HD 1080p during low-light conditions, with a great image-quality all the way up to 30 feet.
Additionally, the device also features 8x Digital Zoom, which owners can also resort to whenever they require to see their pets up close.
On top of its full HD 1080p video and video functionalities, the Petcube Bites 2 Lite also boasts a 2-Way Audio System that combines a built-in Speaker and Microphone, allowing users to talk to their pets at any time, which ultimately can help owners sooth their pets with their voice if they ever feel anxious, as well as prevent destructive behavior by simply telling them to stop.
The device's produced 2-Way Audio has a great sound-quality in both ways, meaning both for a pet via the device's built-in Speaker, which provides a natural, life-like sound for pets to easily recognize their owner's voice, as well as for their owner(s) via the App.
Moreover, the combination of the device's HD camera lens and 2-Way Audio System also makes it capable of having both Motion Detection and Audio Detection functions, for which pet owners can be notified of any unusual activities with instant real-time Sound and Motion Alerts in the form of Smartphone Notifications.
Last but not least, the Petcube Bites 2 Lite also integrates a built-in treat dispenser with 1.5 pounds capacity (attached at the top-side of the device) that can store dry pet treats, from which those treats can then be tossed out (either manually or automatically via the Petcube App) from a treat-tossing slot (located at the bottom-right of the unit) within a short, medium, or long distance.
This essentially allows pet owners to reward their pets for good behavior, as well as encourage that same good behavior, and also stay more connected to their pets during the time they're away from home.
Note that the device's treat dispenser is fully detachable, which allows pet owners to wash it by hand when necessary. Moreover, it is also dishwasher-safe (up to 130 degrees F).
Note that this smart pet camera and treat dispenser is electric-powered, and not battery-powered, as the device is powered directly via a USB Power Cable and a Power Adapter.
The device's USB Power port can be found close to the bottom of the unit's left-side.
SET UP / INSTALLATION
In terms of setting up this smart pet camera and treat dispenser, know that the device can be either placed on top of a flat-surface like a table or shelf, or alternatively, can be wall-mounted onto a wall by using the Wall-Mounting Kit that comes included in its package.
CONNECTIVITY
For establishing its wireless connection with the Petcube App, this smart pet camera and treat dispenser utilizes Wi-Fi Connectivity, supporting only 2.4GHz networks (not 5GHz networks), so keep that in mind.
THE SMARTPHONE COMPANION APP - The Petcube App
To utilize all the remote video functions and treat-tossing functions offered by the Petcube Bites 2 Lite, owners simply have to install the Petcube App in their Smartphones, which is available to download for free for iOS and Android devices.
Via the Petcube App, owners will be able to access the device's full HD 1080p 160° live video, as well as take a picture or record a sort-video, plus talk to and hear their pets via the device's 2-Way Audio System, and also toss dry treats for their pets within a short, medium, or long distance.
Not only that, but the App also allows owners to program schedules within specific times of the day for the device to automatically dispense treats to their pets.
As said before, owners are also notified in real-time of any unusual activities via Smartphone Notification Alerts if the device ever happens to detect any strange Sound or Motion. Moreover, owners also have on-demand access to a 3-Day Video History.
Best of all, the Petcube App also provides pet owners with access to a 24/7 online Vet Chat that lets them consult a professional veterinarian at any time, where they can get answers about their pet's health, behavior, and nutrition within minutes.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX?
Inside their package, users will find: their Petcube Bites 2 Lite unit, along with the device's dedicated USB Power cable and Power Adapter, an included Wall-Mounting Kit, a Quick Start Guide.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Petcube Bites 2 Lite is a Wi-Fi-enabled smart pet camera and treat dispenser equipped with a HD camera lens that can record 24/7 full HD 1080p live video at a 160°wide-angle view with TLS 128-bit Encryption, while also featuring 8x Digital Zoom, an Automatic Night Vision function, 2-Way Audio, and both Motion Detection and Audio Detection functions with instant Smartphone Notifications, plus a built-in treat-storage container with 1.5 pounds capacity from where pet treats can be dispensed, either manually via In-App Controls or automatically via programmed schedules, access to a 3-Day Video History, and also access to a 24/7 online Vet Chat that lets pet owners consult a professional veterinarian at any time.
All in all, this smart pet camera and treat dispenser is an outstanding device for any concerned pet owners that want to stay closely connected to their beloved pets throughout the day from anywhere in the world. With it, owners can see, talk to, and fling treats to their pets to keep their furry friends engaged and ultimately prevent anxious behaviors.
If you're interested in buying it, each unit is currently discounted from its standard price of $149, and is now going for just $109.95 (saves you $39.05), and each purchase also comes accompanied by a 1-Year Limited Warranty. You can order yours online right now, either directly from Petcube's official shopping page, or alternatively, you can instead get it from Amazon, if you'd prefer.
David Novak is an internationally syndicated columnist, TV and radio personality, and expert in consumer electronics. For over 20 years, his column has appeared in over 200 newspapers around the country, and enjoys over 15 million in viewers and readers. He's appeared in Wall Street Journal, USA Today, GQ, the Living Magazines, The Mark Levin Radio Show, The Laura Ingraham Talk Show, Paul Harvey Radio Show, Today, Good Morning America and Kelly and Ryan. Read all the tech news at GadgetGram.com