Activity wearables help you track your daily activities, contributing to an active and healthy lifestyle.
Now your dog’s activities can be tracked by attaching a PitPat to the collar of your four-legged best friend.
After it’s attached download the free PitPat app to an Android or Apple iOS device to record your dog’s stats.
The app records the activities and sets guidelines for your pet based on its breed (over 200 choices), age and existing measured activity.
The PitPat measures 1.5-by-1.2-by-.6 inches and weighs 0.42 ounces. It attaches with Velcro to your dog’s existing collar (fits collars up to 40 mm wide and 5 mm thick) and is waterproof (IP67) for quick dips in ponds and splashes.
I attached it to my 12-pound dog; she didn’t really show any reaction. And as expected, while I worked, she pretty much spent the day shut eyed (as a remote camera showed me years ago).
The goal of the PitPat is to keep your dog healthy for a longer and happy life, just as an activity tracker does for you and me.
If you have multiple pets, the app can support up to three individual PitPat devices. It’s powered by a small coin-sized battery (CR1632) and should last for about a year.
One thing I did wonder was answered on the PitPat site: does the device emit harmful radiation that could harm my dog? And the answer is no; the PitPat uses standard Bluetooth technology, which is perfectly safe for humans and pets.
www.pitpatpet.com $55.48
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The Monster Power Black platinum 1200 power strip does everything you would expect from a high-end surge protector.
It has 12 AC outlets attached to a 6-foot cord, 2 USB charging ports (3.4amp), provides fireproof protection, noise filtration and cable/satellite TV coaxial protection.
The best feature is the power surge protection, which you should use on all your valuable electronics — computers, gaming units, TVs, etc. A power surge is a spike in your data or power lines, most often caused by weather, but it could also be from heavy usage on the lines or utility company problems.
Another great aspect of this device is the power line communication, which I was not familiar with.
I spoke with a representative from Monster to explain PLC. Simply put, it’s a communication protocol that uses your existing electrical wiring to carry and transmit data. Once you plug your existing data device into Black Platinum 1200 it sends your existing Internet signal to another part of your home or office for a wired Internet connection without adding more wires. The best part is you set this up yourself.
1. Plug in the included power line adapter to an AC outlet near your existing modem.
2. Use an Ethernet cable to connect the modem and power line adapter.
3. Decide where you want your computer or other device that needs a wired Internet connection. Plug the power strip into an AC outlet and an Ethernet cable from the computer to the Ethernet port on the power center.
This replaces the long Ethernet cable between the modem and the computer.
You also get $1 million insurance to guarantee the Black Platinum 1200 will protect the equipment connected to it. Check the Monster warranty for details.
www.monsterproducts.com $199.95
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The Marley Chant Sport portable Bluetooth speaker has great sound and great looks.
The Bluetooth sound comes from a pair of speakers (4.5W, 1.75-inch drivers and a 2X passive radiator) inside a 360-degree sound chamber covered by a black mesh grill.
Marley really put a great emphasis on their product’s appearance. The outside is made of recycled blended bio-plastic, silicone and recyclable aluminum. It has an IPX7 water-resistant rating so it can withstand getting caught in a quick rain shower but just don’t take it for a swim, although it will float.
It measures 7.75-by-3.65-by-3.65-inches and is shaped like a water bottle to conveniently fit into a cup holder.
Inside is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, good for about 8 hours of play and a built-in microphone for hands-free calls.
www.thehouseofmarley.com $119.99
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Contact Gregg Ellman at greggellman@mac.com. Follow him on Twitter: @greggellman
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