Why You Can Trust CNET It's now even easier to stalk your pet with the Tagg GPS Plus pet tracker
The latest generation of Tagg, the GPS wearable for pets, will integrate with Alarm.com to include home automation features with the smart pet tracking.
LAS VEGAS -- Nervous pet owners rejoice: Tagg has announced that its latest GPS pet tracker will soon feature Alarm.com integration, making it easier than ever to keep an eye on your furred family member.
The latest version of the wearable is the Tagg GPS Plus, which was shown off at Pepcom during the 2015 International CES and features a number of improvements over the first generation of the tracker from 2012.
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The device combines an activity monitor, a GPS tracker and an ambient air temperature sensor so that you know only know where your pet is -- and how much exercise it got getting there -- you can also check that its not in danger of overheating.
This is all in a small unit that weighs 1.3oz (about 37g) and measures 4.2x1.5x0.8 inches (105x38x20mm). It's IP67-rated, making it waterproof and knock resistant. Tagg is "optimised" for pets over 10lbs (4.5kg) but smaller pets can use it via a harness that would position it between the shoulder blades rather than around the neck. The Tagg spokesperson assured us multiple times that it's perfectly fine to use with cats.
The Tagg uses a US-wide cellular network to keep you updated and the Plus model has an improved battery life, with between 7-14 days on a single charge. The GPS system lets you set 'home boundaries', with alerts coming in via the app if your pet strays too far from its designated zone.
The activity tracker, meanwhile, can help you if pet is one of the 54 percent in the US that are obese or overweight. You can use it help you set exercise goals for your chubby and fuzzy friend, with the accelerometer measuring its daily activities.
The Alarm.com integration, coming "early 2015", will add some new home automation features for people using the Alarm.com service. Not only will you be able to use home video surveillance cameras to check on Fido or Kitty, but smart locks will let you set custom door codes for pet sitters as well as alerting you to when they've come and gone, or even if they don't arrive at the correct time.
Tagg retails for $119, with a $9.95 per month access fee for the GPS and cellular connectivity -- or you can pay $95.40 for a full year and save a little.