( Mashable ) -- It seems that yet another member of the animal kingdom has taken a liking to the iPad -- dolphins . Cats love it and dogs are n't so sure , but apparently a bottlenose dolphin named Merlin is now an iPad enthusiast . Researcher Jack Kassewitz of SpeakDolphin is working on using the Apple tablet device as a language interface for marine mammals . `` We think that once the dolphins get the hang of the touch screen , we can let them choose from a wide assortment of symbols to represent objects , actions and even emotions , '' Kassewitz said of the project . `` Merlin is quite curious , like most dolphins , and he showed complete willingness to examine the iPad . '' The young two-year-old Merlin ( not the first two-year-old to enjoy the device ! ) is reportedly able to use his snout to touch photos of objects on the iPad 's touchscreen after being shown their real-world counterparts . `` This is an easy task for a dolphin , but it is a necessary building block towards our goal of a complete language interface between humans and dolphins , '' said Kassewitz . What do you think of the latest member of kingdom Animalia becoming a fan of the iPad ? Do you think he 'll be upset by AT & T 's new data plan pricing ? © 2010 MASHABLE.com . All rights reserved .
A bottlenose dolphin , Merlin is now an iPhone enthusiast . A researcher is working on using the tablet as a communication interface for marine mammals . Merlin reportedly uses his snout to touch hundreds of buttons on the tablet .