SmartCollar Beta Test Program - Initial Setup and Test
The goal of this setup and test is to confirm the hardware can connect to the App on your phone and capture one translation.
Note: If you have a spare or old phone that can run the MeowTalk app you should use that phone for this testing as the collar must pair with a phone or tablet via Bluetooth to operate and will prevent you from using your speaker or mic while in use. You can setup your spare phone for continuous listening as shown in this video:
Step 1 - Upgrade to MeowTalk 9
You will need version 9 of the MeowTalk app installed on your phone to connect to the SmartCollar and the premium tier activated. If you have MeowTalk installed, upgrade to version 9 through the App Store or Google Play Store. This may have been done for you automatically, so confirm that you have version 9 installed.
If you don't have MeowTalk installed, then install it. It will be version 9 for sure.
You will receive an email with activation codes (one for Apple and one for Android). Once you receive the codes continue to the next step.
Step 2 - Create a MeowTalk Account
A MeowTalk account is required for this test. You can use your existing account if you already have one. If not, you can create a MeowTalk account from the login screen by selecting "Sign Up with Email" or Continue with sign-in with Google, Facebook, etc.
Step 3 - Enable Premium Tier
Bluetooth connectivity is required to connect to SmartCollar and this feature is only available in the premium tier.
You should have received an email with two activation codes (one for Apple and one for Android). You will only need one but feel free to use both.
For iPhones:
Note: You may have received an activation link in the email you received with the activation codes. Use that link as it will perform these steps for you. Otherwise continue with these steps:
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Activate the premium tier by opening the App Store, selecting you profile icon in the top right, then selecting "Redeem Gift Card or Code". Then select "Enter the Code Manually" and then enter the code.
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Open the MeowTalk app
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Ensure you are not in MeowRoom mode
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The screen will have the title "MeowRoom" at the top if it is in MeowRoom mode
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To exit MeowRoom mode select the gear icon in the top right then select the "Switch to MeowTalk Mode" at the bottom
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Open the Profile Screen (via the bottom right tab)
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On the Profile Screen, select "Upgrade to Premium"
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On the Upgrade Profile Screen select "Restore Purchases" at the very bottom
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You should get a confirmation message that the upgrade was successful
For Android:
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Open the MeowTalk app
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Ensure you are not in MeowRoom mode
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The screen will have the title "MeowRoom" at the top if it is in MeowRoom mode
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To exit MeowRoom mode select the gear icon in the top right then select the "Switch to MeowTalk Mode" at the bottom
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Open the Profile Screen (via the bottom right tab)
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On the Profile Screen, select "Upgrade to Premium"
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Select the payment method to change it to use the promotion code you received via email. You may type the code in manually or use the camera to scan the code from the email.
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Continue with the purchase, you should see a message indicating that you have enabled 3 three months of premium tier.
Remember to cancel you subscription, otherwise you will be charged for the premium tier after three months.
Step 4 - Enable MeowRoom Mode
After you have created an account, logged in and activated the premium tier, it's time to switch the app to MeowRoom mode. This is the cat smart speaker mode of the app. and it has the ability to connect to a Bluetooth device such as the SmartCollar
You can also switch to MeowRoom mode at any time from the "MeowRoom Setup" screen which you can access from the Profile Screen. To do that follow these steps:
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Select the Profile Screen tab
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Select the MeowRoom Setup menu item
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and Select the "Switch to MeowRoom" button at the bottom of the screen.
If you are launching MeowRoom for the first time it will ask you to select a default listening location (e.g. living room) and a default cat profile.
Once complete you should see the MeowRoom listening screen with an icon in the bottom right with a cat wearing a MeowTalk SmartCollar.
The next step will walk through the process of connecting the collar to MeowRoom so that it uses the collar's microphone and speaker instead of the phones.
Step 5 - Connect the SmartCollar to the App
The process is slightly different depending on if you have an Android phone or an iPhone.
iPhone User:
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From the MeowRoom listening screen, select the button of the cat wearing a SmartCollar. This will open the phone's settings screen.
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Select the Bluetooth menu item from the settings list
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Activate the SmartCollar by holding the button down for 3 seconds. When the device powers on, you should here "SmartCollar on , pairing" and a blue light should blink 4 times a second while it is in pairing mode.
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On the phone's Bluetooth screen you should see the SmartCollar show up in the list of available devices as "MwTk HW Beta". Select this device to pair with the SmartCollar. The SmartCollar will say "Connected".
Note: The SmartCollar is now a connected Bluetooth device to your iPhone. It can play music, make phone calls, and answer calls while connected to your phone. If it starts playing music just stop the music by clicking the button on the SmartCollar. The SmartCollar is intended to be connected to MeowRoom running on a spare phone. In this scenario there will not be an issue with making calls or playing music.
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Navigate back to the MeowTalk app again, there should be a link at the top left corner of the screen to return to the MeowTalk app.
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Select the "On" button in the middle of the screen to enable active listening. The SmartCollar will say "Listening"
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The collar is now actively listening for meows.
Android User:
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From the MeowRoom listening screen, select the button of the cat wearing a SmartCollar. This will open a Bluetooth device list.
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Activate the SmartCollar by holding the button down for 3 seconds. When on you should here "SmartCollar on , pairing" and a blue light should blink 4 times a second while it is in pairing mode.
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On the Bluetooth device list screen select the "Refresh List" button. You should see the SmartCollar show up in the list of available devices as "MwTk HW Beta". Select this device to pair with the SmartCollar. The SmartCollar will say "connected".
Note: The SmartCollar is now a connected Bluetooth device to your iPhone. It can play music, make phone calls, and answer calls while connected to your phone. If it starts playing music just stop the music by clicking the button on the SmartCollar. The SmartCollar is intended to be connected to MeowRoom running on a spare phone. In this scenario there will not be an issue with making calls or playing music.
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Navigate back to the MeowRoom listening screen by selecting the back button on the top right of the screen.
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Select the "On" button in the middle of the screen to enable active listening. The SmartCollar will say "Listening"
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The collar is now actively listening for meows.
Step 6 - Perform One Meow Translation
While the app is open and the SmartCollar is actively listening, have it on or near your cat to capture one of their meows. Ensure the Voice/Speaker icon is enabled (second icon to the right at the bottom) to ensure you hear a voice when a meow is detected.
This step is important as you need to confirm that you hear a voice coming from the SmartCollar unit
To ensure sound is being detected by the SmartCollar enable audio visualization (second icon to the left at the bottom). Blow into the bottom of the SmartCollar (where the mic is located) and you should see a visual response on the screen to that loud noise.
After you capture one meow you are done with the testing but feel free to capture as many as you like. Have fun with the product. All captured meows will be available from the MeowTalk History Screen. And because you have the premium tier enabled, you will be able to download those recordings too.
Step 7 - Turn the SmartCollar off
Turn the SmartCollar off by closing the MoewTalk app then holding the SmartCollar button for 3 seconds.
The collar can run for up to 18 hours on a full charge. But, for the Beta Test Programs it should not be left on your cat when you are not supervising your cat's usage (e.g. in the home with your cat).
The SmartCollar will make a "Low Power" indication that your cat will NOT appreciate. This is a behavior that must be enabled for the Beta Test Programs and will be disabled or managed in the final release of the product.