desktop pet
Virtual monitor creature
A desktop pet is a small animated character that lives on a computer screen, wandering across windows, performing idle animations, or responding to clicks.
Popular in the 1990s and early 2000s, these programs served no practical purpose beyond companionship and whimsy: I had a desktop pet cat that would chase my cursor.
The concept has seen revivals through browser extensions and mobile widgets.
- virtual friendOnline-only social bond
- screensaverDisplay during computer idleness
- widgetUnspecified small device
- companionOne who keeps company
- pixelSmallest display unit
pixel art · animated · cursor · interactive · cute · idle · idle animation · taskbar · system tray · creature · digital · floating · customization · nostalgic · feed · play · Windows · sprite
- virtual petsTamagotchi, Neopets, Nintendogs, Digimon, Furby
- desktop petsanimated character
- screen decorationwallpaper, screensaver, icon, widget, theme
desktop petproductivity software
Programs for work tasks
word processor · enterprise software · work program · spreadsheet · antivirus software