Or splurge and put a videocam on a robot. The WowWee Rovio ($300) is perhaps the most serious product yet from the robot-making company, best known for its Robosapien toys. While more serious, the Rovio is more fun, too. Its videocam image and two-way audio are streamed across the Internet, letting a far-flung owner see what's going on at home and maybe even chat with youngsters left behind, if they're not freaked out by Mom's voice emanating from a gadget that looks a little like a Mars rover.
The interface is intuitive, and Rovio can be operated from many different types of devices, including most smartphones. Driving the robot is fairly easy. You can also program in routes so that, for example, you can check on the dog's water bowl. But don't expect fine control. Picture quality is good in well-lit rooms; a small headlight doesn't help much in the dark.
Setup can be easy, or it can be difficult if you haven't previously dealt with wireless home networking. So far, Rovio works only with networks that are set for low-strength security, which could make some home wireless networks more vulnerable. And the device's plastic case hardly feels hardy. So before you leave them in the same room, make sure Rover the dog is comfortable with Rovio the robot.
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