mobile phones
August 18, 2010
Facebook for Fido: The Best Pet Social Media Sites
Last week in DogTails, we had a great time profiling our favorite social media all-star pets. Continuing with the theme of pet-centric social media, this week we want to share our opinions on a few of the most popular social sites and applications for pet owners.
We love how these tools now allow users to share their pets’ stories, photos and videos, and connect with fellow furry friends around the world. These sites are entertaining, informative, and a great way to keep your friends near and far up-to-date on your pet’s cutest, funniest, sweetest and craziest moments. We hope you’ll enjoy our reviews, and try one out for yourself and your pet! Who knows, maybe they’ll be the next social media pet stars!
Dogbook
Facebook is the most popular social media site on the planet, and this fun application allow you to share information with your fellow pet owners without leaving the site. Created in 2007, Dogbook allows owners to create their own mini-pages for their pets. Like a regular Facebook profile, a Dogbook profile include pictures, status updates, lists of friends (human, canine or other animal) and even location tracking.
But what about your other animals? Don’t worry, there are apps for them too. Catbook, Horsebook, Birdbook, Ferretbook, Rodentbook and Fishbook are all there and ready to use. The apps’ creators have also developed an iPhone app exclusively for Dogbook users. It allows them to see where their dog’s “friends” are and meet up for a playdate. (Watch this video for more details.)
Dogbook is easy to use, and is a great way to connect with your pet-owning friends and meet new friends across the globe. You can join groups based on breed or geography or any other characteristic you choose. There are currently over 2 million users on Dogbook and another 1 million on Catbook. That’s quite a crowd!
August 12, 2010
Social Media for Pet Lovers: All-Star Pets
Starting this week, DogTails – the weekly blog brought to you by DogWatch Hidden Fences – will begin highlighting the best of the pet-centric social media world. In this post, we tell the stories of three pets who have become worldwide stars thanks to social media. We love following these cats’ and this dog’s exploits on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and blogs, and we know you will too.
So, without further ado, we give you our “Star Pets of Social Media.”
Maru the Cat
The equation is simple: cat + cardboard box + video camera = genius. Maru, a male Scottish fold from Japan, is the star of a seemingly unending series of irresistible YouTube videos. His YouTube channel has over 63,000 followers and his videos have been viewed more than 58 million times. Not bad for a clumsy kitty!
If you are like us and can’t get enough of Maru, check out his blog. (It includes English translations.) While it seems criminal to choose just one video, our favorite video of the moment is this slow-motion clip of Maru jumping out of – you guessed it – a box.
Sockington the Cat
Maru may have recently eeked out a win over Sockington in “the battle for the internet’s favorite feline,” but the social media world still can’t get enough of this other cat sensation.
Sockington, a very proper-looking black and white rescue cat from Waltham, MA, has so far amassed over 1.5 million followers on Twitter. His owner, Jason Scott, chronicles his cat’s thoughts and broadcast them to the ever-growing “Socks Army.” Sockington loves food and naps, frequently shouts in all caps, and is surprisingly witty. A recent tweet read: “HURRAH GIFT GIVING TIME may I present you with 3/4 of a mouse HEY I DO NOT APPRECIATE YOUR INSINUATIONS or the screaming for that matter.”
In addition to his Twitter feed, Socks also has a blog and a Flickr account filled with numerous photos of “the most popular cat on Twitter.” As Sockington himself might say: “OF COURSE I AM THE MOST POPULAR nap time zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz”
Tillman the Bulldog
January 20, 2010
Dogs and SmartPhones: 8 Popular Dog Apps
No, dogs and smartphones isn’t a joke we heard at a New Year’s Eve Party. Though it sounds like it could be.
While even the smartest dogs aren’t using mobile phones (yet), their owners are tapping away with their thumbs in startling numbers—on every topic under the sun. In addition to game apps featuring dogs, there are ones which can help track information, educate on a wide variety of dog-related topics, and provide countless hours of advice.
Here’s a list of some of the most interesting dog-related apps we’ve come across this week.
Fast and clear advice for the most common Dog Emergencies.
2. Pet First Aid by Jive Medi LLC
Pet First Aid contains detailed articles, video, and illustrations to help you care for your dog or cat. Record your pet’s vital medical information to ensure their veterinarian is never more than a touch away, and your pet will never miss another vaccination.
3. MyPets Info by Mobile Simplified
MyPets is an Information Manager that helps you keep track of your Pets day-to-day activities, medical information, important contacts, such as groomers or doctors and all other information relevant for your pets.
4. Dog Tricks & Bark Machine by Pocket Cocktails, Inc.
The ultimate portable Dog Trick training tutorial with nearly 200 pictures and step-by-step instructions. Bark Machine includes a variety of amazing sounds designed to captivate you and your dog.
5. DogBook by Poolhouse Enterprises
Keep a diary of your dog’s life, locate other dogs by breed or location, and then “friend” them.
Fast convenient access to hundreds of Dog Health Topics on the go. You can either select a category such as “Behavioral” or “Digestive” and browse the related topics in that category or search by keywords.
7. The Dog Breeds by MyAppBuilder
100 dog breeds with information such as their temperament, exercise requirements , and size.
8. Dogbook by Poolhouse Enterprises
Connect with other dogs and owners in parks and groups, post on their walls, and share photos and videos.
What dog-related apps are you using?