GoBone: The smart pet toy that plays with your dog when you're not around - CNET

Pet tech is one of the emerging trends in the gadget world. Plenty of those "security" cameras are used for checking in on cats and dogs, and newer models like Furbo even let you say hello and dispense treats. But while it's good to know that your dog is safe and sound, there's often a tinge of guilt: I'm sorry I left you locked up in the house all day while I'm at work.

That's where GoBone is hoping to change things up. The "smart bone" is a toy that rolls, spins and flips, keeping your engaged and entertained for up to eight hours. When you're home, you can use the smartphone companion app for more targeted games like fetch and hide-and-seek. Smartly, the exterior of the GoBone is replaceable, so you can swap in a fresh skin once the old one gets chewed up. And, of course, the GoBone's battery is rechargeable.

The project launched today on Kickstarter with a $60,000 funding goal. And while the final price of the GoBone is still to be determined, buying in at the $299 level offers you the chance to get your own while donating a second one to your favorite animal shelter.

As always, please note that CNET's reporting on crowdfunding campaigns is not an endorsement of the project or its creators. Contributing to a crowdfunded project comes with risk. Before contributing to any campaign, read the crowdfunding site's policies, such as those for Kickstarter and Indiegogo, to lea more about your rights (and refund policies, or the lack thereof) before and after a campaign ends.