寵物可視電話：主人出門在外照樣交流
Leaving a beloved pet behind for a holiday, or even for a long day at work, can be heart-wrenching.
主人外出度假或公司加班、不得不將心愛的寵物獨自留在家中，這真是件讓人揪心的事。
But now there is a device that lets owners video chat with their dog or cat from anywhere in the world and even reward them with a treat.
但是現在出現了一種設備，無論主人身在何處，都可以和自家的汪星人或喵星人視頻聊天，還可以給它們好吃的作爲獎勵。
PetChatz claims to be the first-ever videophone of its kind and comes with a colour camera so that pets and owners can see each other.
寵物可視電話PetChatz的產品發言人稱，這是世界上第一款寵物可視電話。它配備有彩色攝像頭，寵物和主人通過這部電話可以看到對方。
The device, which is available to pre-order from the Minnesota-based firm, dispenses treats and discharges a soothing scent for animals that are home alone, while also recording the animal’s antics so that owners can share videos of their pet’s reactions.
通過這款寵物可視電話，主人可以給看家的寵物餵食，還可以釋放一種舒緩神經的香氣，同時還可以將寵物的表情錄製下來，主人可以將寵物的表情視頻在網上分享。 PetChatz的製造商本部在美國明尼蘇達州，現在人們就可以預定這種可視電話。
However, what PetChatz describes as ‘a joyful sensory experience’ comes at a price - $349 (£213) - and the device is expected to ship in early 2014 to customers only in the U.S. and Canada.
然而，要得到這種PetChatz公司所謂的“愉悅的感覺體驗”可不便宜——349美元（約2123元人民幣）。而且要到2014年上旬纔開始發貨，目前僅供應美國和加拿大兩個國家。
The company said: ‘[The pets] see you, hear you, and feel your love with the tasty treats and soothing scents you provide. Your day becomes a little easier; the time away feels a little shorter.’
這家公司的發言人說，“你的寵物可以看到你的面容，聽到你的聲音，電話裏投放的美食和散發的香味可以讓它感受到你的愛意。你的一天工作變得輕鬆了，你和寵物分別的時間似乎被縮短了。”
The PetChatz unit is mounted on a wall at the pet's line of sight and claims to be safe for animals and ‘chew resistant’ so it cannot be easily damaged.
這種可視電話應放置在寵物視線範圍內的牆壁上。其材質是“耐咀嚼”材料、不易損壞、安全可靠。
The device is connected to a Wi-Fi network and owners log on to on their computer or use a smartphone app to talk to their pet.
這部可視電話可以接收家中的無線網絡，外出的主人通過電腦或智能手機應用登錄網站，就可以和寵物聊天。
A special ringtone tells the pet when its owner is calling, at which point the screen is activated and the video conversation is possible - providing the pet runs to the phone.
主人來電時，這部可視電話會發出特殊的鈴聲提醒寵物，同時電話上的顯示器被激活，主人和寵物就可以對話了——如果寵物跑過來接電話的話。
