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Comment by cauterize | Hacker News Reader

Very cool! I've had a Petnet (www.petnet.io) feeder for a few months now and I never want to go back. Dispensing small quantities multiple times a day has made my cats inhale-until-instant-vomit issues go completely away.

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This product looks absolutely great. Unfortunately they don't offer an android app, and it's not clear whether you need the app to program it or if it's just a bonus.

Do you need the app to use this feeder?

edit: just saw someone else's comment about the app being mandatory to use this pet feeder.

It is unfortunate, but given that the product is quite solid, time may change that.

FYI: For my cats, feeding them some pumpkin has also helped prevent them from vomiting. The fiber helps them process the food better. (talk to your vet before following advice from some anonymous asshole on the internet, yadda yadda, etc.)

> The product requires a compatible iOS device to operate (iPhone 5, 5C,5S, 6, 6+).

Well that sucks! Why would they lock themselves to a platform like that?

Most likely due to lack of resources.

Why does it need a mobile phone to work at all?!

It probably doesn't -- there's likely an API that the app calls, and that one could, with time, mimic it. That would also require the intersection of people with the tools, cats, and inclination.

It does. You have to set the schedule from the app. :/

I have a petnet too. :D It's great.

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