Amazon wants to be an important part of your smart home. Therefore, after the range of Echo devices, the online retailer has now come up with a home security camera, Amazon Cloud Cam, and an Amazon Key app that will allow deliveries to your home even when you are not there.
Amazon Cloud Cam and Amazon Key – how they work
It might sound scary at first, but it’s not. According to the company, the cam has been developed to help users keep a check on pets while at work, look into your kids’ room from another room, or monitor the front door when on vacation. Further, the use of Amazon Key allows access for guests, service appointments and in-home delivery.
Explaining the tech, when used together, the company says, “Shop on Amazon and select “FREE in-home delivery” at checkout. On delivery day, we’ll notify you just before the delivery. Amazon will authorize the delivery and unlock your door. You can watch the delivery live in the Amazon Key App or see a video of it later. We’ll notify you once the delivery is complete and your door is re-locked.”
With Amazon Cloud Cam and Key service, the online retailer is now a rival to Nest Cam, August Smart Locks camera and other names in the home security segment. Further, these latest offerings underscore Amazon’s ability to quickly foray into new markets leveraging its existing services.
Amazon Key will launch on Nov. 8, covering 37 cities in the U.S. “Amazon Key gives customers peace of mind knowing their orders have been safely delivered to their homes and are waiting for them when they walk through their doors,” Peter Larsen, Amazon’s Vice President of Delivery Technology, said in a statement.
Amazon Cloud Cam – could prove very useful
The Amazon Cloud Cam has night vision, records in full high definition, and gives two-way audio capabilities. Footage from the camera can be viewed using the Amazon Cloud Cam App. The camera also supports Echo Show, Echo Spot, Fire TV and Fire Tablets. To view the camera footage on these devices, users can use the help of Alexa. The camera also has a built-in microphone to allow users to remotely talk to family members, or even a pet.
When on the go, you can use the iOS and Android apps to stay in touch with the Cloud Cam. The apps will get alerts detected by the cam’s motion detection and computer vision technology. The Amazon Cloud Cam sends a notification and saves a clip, when it detects motion. Amazon says that over time, the camera will get smarter with alerts, detection and other features.
For Prime members, the pre-order pricing of the Cloud Cam is $119.99, and goes up to $249.99, which includes a larger In-Home Key Kit with a smart lock from Yale or Kwikset. Further, the online retailer is also offering a subscription service based on storage and security features. The basic subscription begins at $6.99 per month (or $69 a year), giving users access to the footage of the last seven days from up to 3 cameras. The highest package at $19.99 per month (or $199 per year) offers the last 30 days video recording from up to 10 cameras.
