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New, high-tech wearable for pets could be a lifesaver when an animal is lost or injured
Next to our children, our pets are some of the most important members of our families. We do everything we can to make sure both our kids and pets are safe, but eventually kids can shoulder some of the burden themselves. But when Fido runs off, we can’t expect him to tell the nice neighbor that finds him that he has a medical condition, or who his veterinarian or owner is.
Though your pet will never learn to talk, there is a way to provide whoever finds your lost -or injured- pet with the information they need to offer aid. A new ‘wareable’ technology, MyEndlessID Pet, gives veterinarians and good samaritans all of the information they need to render aid in an emergency.
“Even the best trained pets might head off on an adventure sometime,” said Gustavo Rubacha, one of MyEndlessID Pet’s inventors. Worse still, Rubacha notes, is that from time to time those ‘adventures’ can result in injuries, sometimes serious. “We believe that it’s important to prepare for these emergencies ahead of time and that’s why we created MyEndlessID Pet.”
MyEndlessID Pet jams the latest Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology into a tag small enough to hang from a pet’s collar. Utilizing the same tech that until now has only seen mass deployment in payment systems like Apple Pay and Google Wallet, the NFC tag will emit radio waves to any capable smart phone held close to it, providing vital information about your pet with just a tap.
When the device is activated, pet owners receive immediate alerts by text, email and a phone call, along with a geolocation of where their pet is located when the tag is activated. Most importantly though, MyEndlessID Pet provides rescuers and veterinarians instant access to vital medical information that could save an animal’s life in an emergency.
Vital information including medical conditions, medications, vaccinations, allergies, medical history and veterinarian history, insurance information, and more are all instantly available with the simple tap of any modern smartphone.
Unlike an implanted microchip, MyEndlessID Pet does not require special equipment beyond a smartphone to work, and priced at $20 it is far more affordable than a vet visit to have a device implanted.
MyEndlessID Pet is also water resistant, allowing it to withstand whatever mischief your pet might wander into, while continuing to deliver critical information when someone comes to help your pet get out of whatever mess he or she has found himself in.
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Thoughts and Impressions: Samsung Galaxy S8
Samsung’s latest flagship phone has been officially announced and its no surprise as to why people have been buzzing about it in social circles. After the fiasco of the Note 7, they are not afraid to pull the punches and pull innovative features while still keeping Samsung’s iconic design.
Here is what you need to know:Battery
That battery difference is pretty subtle: 3500mAh for the Galaxy S8+ and 3000mAh for the standard Galaxy S8. You may note that the Galaxy S8+’s battery is actually 100mAh smaller than the Galaxy S7 edge of last year, while the Galaxy S8’s is the same size as the Galaxy S7 despite being a larger phone.
Screen Size (Display)
One of the more obvious features is the screen size of the S8 and the S8+. The two phones, which are only differentiated by their screen size and battery capacity, come in at 5.8-inches and 6.2-inches with extra-tall 18.5:9 aspect ratio displays. While it may sound like a rather big number; don’t fret. For those who love smaller phones this still can fit in your hand without any extra wiggle room. The screen to body ratio is 90%, which is ideal for those who love reading a book or watching movies.
DeX
Samsung has a line up of great accessories, one which would change the way we use our phones. The DeX is desktop docking system for the Galaxy S8. It’s a little piece of hardware no larger than a wireless charger that lets you plug in your Galaxy S8, attaching it to a keyboard, mouse and monitor to transform it into a desktop-like environment. The Galaxy S8’s interface scales up gracefully to fill the large monitor, and Samsung’s own apps have been designed to be resized and operated with a keyboard and mouse.
The features and benefits alone, make your life easier when it comes to sending emails or texts, especially if all you use is your personal phone. Samsung has also partnered up with major software companies (Microsoft and Adobe) to create content for the desktop iteration of the S8.
Impressions
The phone feels great once you have a chance to feel it in your hands. I am excited to see what they have going on, if they do plan on bringing back the Note Series. But this is a good start on the right direction to bring back the appeal and trust of consumers.
