p_cred: skpyejournal

Since Dogster took off, one product I’m constantly prowling for is a net-enabled cam that affixes to one’s dog collar that could beam photos at interval or on-demand photos to a webserver or as an email or SMS attachment. Ideally Dogster aligns with the producer early and becomes a primary distributor :P

I’ve seen some items short of this, including digital color cams with for dog-level perspectives , a collar cell phone with auto pick-up so you can bark at your pal from afar, and a web-controlled food-bowl cam - with food and water dispersion ($450 no link).

But nothing came close to a real solution until I ran into Stuart Henshall. Stuart is a real smart guy that has been writing the well respected SkypeJournal for a couple years now and eats and breathes Skype. Skype, offer free voice over the internet (aka VOIP) worldwide and has gazillions of users. At worst it’s a bit like talking over a CB and at best it’s an easy way of speaking and conferencing with folks globally. I don’t use it because I’m still unlucky enough to only have domestic work partners, but Stuart, he’s staying 3 steps ahead.

Skpye has been getting much buzz for the option of always-on video (intercontinental lovers leave it on all day long just to know the other is there) and their new IM client with voice chat. Skype has also shown a pretty strong commitment to open access to back-end functionality (APIs) letting people produce custom apps built upon the core functionality. When Stuart heard my desire for an original collar cam with full time access for the owner, he blew me away with his Skype-On configuration.

We get a $3 cam from Taiwan. Then we’ll need a mini linux device with Wifi. We’ll put that in a bullet-proof clear plastic ball (that easily screws open) and here’s the genius addition, the camera sits in a gyroscope so the perspective stays upright. The video stream get sent to a remote server which you can access from wherever you are!

Sounds great, but final price and rapid battery consumption, among others, keep this scheme pretty much as cocktail napkin fodder. I love it none the less and think we’re a step or three closer to a marketable product.

If you think you could OEM a realistic version, jiminy cricket, let us know, we’ve got 100,000 dog owners that would like to buy one!