Petcube - Pet Cam & Online Vet 4+

Please make a Canadian subscription available. I have had this Petcube for almost a year now and would like to upgrade to the subscriptions

The actual physical camera and treat dispenser is not what I’m reviewing here. While the machine does have its flaws, I’ll be talking about the app. Note that I paid for the $5 CAD subscription specifically so I could access a three day video history. Without a subscription you can not view your video history.

CONS —

User experience is horrendous and unintuitive. It shouldn’t take me so many clicks to get to the base function of the app (using the camera and tossing a treat).
There are no ads technically, but they really push the Petcube Care subscription in your face on every single screen you’re on.
The video history is so flawed. I have no idea where the app is storing these videos. To delete videos, you have to do it one by one. Once you delete a video, there is a glitch that makes the videos reappear.
The video history is always so bloated because the camera triggers at the smallest movements. I have mine set on the lowest sensitivity in a room that is barely used. I end up with over a hundred videos of an empty room to go through at the end of the day.
You can only toss treats after going through a bunch of steps, and only in horizontal orientation. It’s just awkward usability.
This is technically a con for both the physical Petcube and the app, but it requires 2G which makes the videos super laggy and pixelated.
You can only save 10 videos, which is laughable.
Treat tossing is Pokémon GO style, which is fun at first, but after some time gets annoying. I wish there was a setting to switch the toss to button mode.
I don’t really need the vet feature because I don’t think that’s safe for animals, but I understand that other pet owners may rely on online vets. I’d just rather use a vet I have a history with. That said, I wish you could tell the app that you opt out of the online vet service, because it’s PLASTERED all over the app.
PROS —

The 160° view really pays off. When the video isn’t lagging or pixelated, the image is really clear and in focus.
App alerts you when the machine has gone offline (eg, your pet has accidentally unplugged it).
The treat tossing is really fun. I like that you can decide if it is a short, medium, or long toss.
Because the camera seems to record every other second of the entire day, the filters are really helpful to sort through what is garbage and what is actually video of your pet.
Love that you can give tossing rights to another user.
There’s a scheduling feature (though I don’t use it).
SUGGESTIONS —

If this machine was for veterinary services, I would understand the need to push so urgently for a subscription. But it’s not. This machine is basically advertised as a surveillance camera that spits treats. As it is a camera at its root, I want the videos to be front and centre, not the vet service.
PLEASE GOD LET ME OPT OUT OF THE VET SERVICE
There needs to be an option to select multiple videos, and a Clear All option.
A photo capture option so you can quickly see what’s going on, without have to go through all the damn steps to get to video.
Video stitching is a must. The app should stitch consecutive videos together in the video history so I don’t have to watch nine separate 5-second videos.
In the video history, don’t have the videos open in a video window right away. Let them play in the video history, with the history below it (like a playlist). Currently even watching videos is clunky and involves too many steps. I hate that I have to click an X button to leave a 5-second video. At least make it so I can swipe the video away.
I wish you could program the camera more in the app. Right now you can only program motion triggers, sound triggers, and sensitivity. I want to also program how long each video should be when the camera detects motion or sound.
OVERALL —

You can SMELL the capitalism coming off this app. I get that Petcube has to make bank but I’m serious, I was so surprised that the VIDEOS are secondary in the app. It takes a tap, a long scroll, and another tap to get to your videos. And in those three steps, the app advertises the vet service multiple times. I just want to see my pet immediately when I open the app, leave me alone!

I can’t believe I have to make video and recording suggestions for an app that relies on video as it’s selling point. This whole app is REALLY relying on your animal’s cuteness for you to put up with its nonsense.

For real though, the subscription is nonsense. The fact that you have to pay a surveillance app for your video history is such a scam. At least give me a day for free.

I’ll update this review if any changes happen.

I absolutely love my Petcube cam and the app! Always gives me a peace of mind whenever I’m away from home! I can’t imagine my daily life without it! Amazing design and really cool Ukrainian product! ❤️🇺🇦