Applied Science

Will iPhone applications for cat lovers be the next big thing?

The iPhone’s reach just keeps growing. Once the preserve of tech-heads, accessory junkies and fashionistas, the latest Apple goldmine is rapidly turning out to be as indispensible as the iPod that preceeded it.

Of course, as good as the iPhone is, it’s the ‘apps’ (to the uninitiated, it’s short for ‘applications’) that really make it. And cat lovers will be pleased to know that there are innumerable apps aimed at you and your furry friend, ranging from the functional to the fun.

Here are some you may like to consider next time you’re browsing iTunes:

Cat First Aid
This app costs $2.49 and is intended to provide ‘fast and clear advice for the most common cat emergencies’. Cat First Aid is not meant to replace seeking prompt medical attention from a professional. Rather, it is designed to help you understand the situation and inform you what you can do to give your cat first aid until you cant get to a vet. Easy to operate (you simply find the appropriate medical emergency in the list and tap to read the instructions), it has received very positive online reviews.

PetSnap
Have you ever wanted to enter one of the Cat Diaries photo competitions only to find it almost impossible to get your cat to stay still and look at the camera? Then this is the app for you. PetSnap ($2.49) features 32 sounds, including various meows and bell rings, designed to attract a cat’s attention, ensuring she’s looking directly at the iPhone when you use it to take a photo. You are able to instantly review your shots, zoom in and out and change the size. There’s even a function that allows you to instantly upload your pic to Facebook.

Twitkitteh
And speaking of social media… Twitkitteh ($1.19) is the first Twitter application written specifically for cats. Thanks to what the makers call ‘a simple multi-paw interface’, your cat (or you, if you think she can’t be bothered) can now post insightful comments to the Twitterverse. So if the thought of your cat having hundreds of thousands of followers appeals, get Twitkittteh!

Simon’s Cat in ‘Purrfect Pitch’
Cat Diaries has already sung the praises of Simon’s Cat. And this app allows you to release your inner musician. For $2.49, you can compose your own tunes, save them and then watch as cartoon hero Simon’s Cat sings them back. Alternatively, you can take on Simon’s Cat as he tests your ability to follow his lead in a series of increasingly difficult musical challenges. It’s a fun, time-wasting (in the best possible way) device, with different language options also available.

Images by Apple