Petcube is back with new versions of its popular animal-monitoring devices

Want free Samsung credits? Here's $50 worth to get you started.

Reserve your interest in Samsung's new Galaxy lineup with your email—no purchase required. Enjoy up to $1,250 savings and a chance to win $5K in Samsung credit.

Reserve Now

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

If leaving your pets at home without any way of knowing they’re ok (or if your furniture is ok), something like Petcube is honestly amazing. Featuring an easy-to-use app and treat dispenser, owners can not only monitor their pets while away, but reward them for being perfect angels, as well.

Now, the company has announced updated versions of both its Bites and Play devices, appropriately called Bites 2 and Play 2.

About the updating Petcube devices

Both models now feature 1080p HD video through a 180-degree wide-angle lenses so you can get the scoop on your pups, a four-microphone array for better sound recognition, and improved WiFi, as well. All of these things are important because, with PetCube, your pets can actually initiate a call with you through the Petcube app by sitting in front of the device. And honestly, who doesn’t want to receive a call from their dog?

The Bites 2 version also receives an update to its treat mechanism. The new model will allow for more control over your “throw,” and should allow for more variance in treat sizes. The Play 2 model, with its laser pointer, has increased functionality through the Petcube app.

Nothing is complete without Alexa

Oh, and because it’s 2019, everything is required to have Amazon Alexa, which means your Petcube device must have it, as well.

I’m not really sure why this is needed on this device, but you’ll be able to “access over 50,000 Alexa skills, including playing music, controlling smart home devices, setting alarms, listening to the news, and checking the weather hands-free.” I guess the ability to set up some sick Skillz for treat-throwing and laser-pointing is cool, but honestly, the Alexa part feels a bit gimmicky.

The Petcube Bites 2 and Play 2 will be available Spring 2019. Petcube Bites 2 will be priced at $249 and Petcube Play 2 at $199.

What do you think? Is this something you’d buy? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• LG’s new ad makes it clear you’ll never be able to afford its rollable OLED TV
• The Razer Raptor is a Chroma-powered gaming monitor with a 144hz refresh rate and FreeSync
• The beloved Technics SL-1210 turntable is making a comeback in 2019
• ASUS releases the ROG Mothership to beam you to gaming Valhalla
• Garmin’s Vivoactive 3 Music is getting an LTE upgrade in 2019

Josiah Motley

Former KnowTechie editor.