Latest news with #Arlo
CNET
2 hours ago
- Business
- CNET
Walmart Deals of the Day: Beats' ANC Studio Buds Hit a Record-Low $72
Walmart has literally thousands of deals you can shop right now, and while the majority probably aren't worthwhile, there are always a few standout bargains. To help you make the most of these diamonds in the rough without too much legwork, our dedicated deals writers are bringing you some top picks every day. For today, July 24, those include a new record-low price on Beats' already affordable Studio Buds, $20 off a top-rated Fitbit fitness tracker and an affordable Arlo security camera that you can pick up for just $30. A slight step down from the newer Studio Buds Plus, the original Studio Buds are an excellent and more affordable alternative to Apple's pricey AirPods. These wireless earbuds feature a sleek stemless design, active noise-canceling capabilities and decent sound quality for the money. There's also a transparency mode when you need to be more aware of your surroundings, and they boast an eight-hour battery life (or up to 24 hours with the charging case). There's no Apple H1 chip, so they lack some features like spatial audio, but that makes them a great pick for Android users. Only the red color variant is available at this price. We named the Fitbit Inspire 3 one of the best fitness trackers of 2025, thanks to its impressive 10-day battery life. It's an excellent option for those who only need the basics. It features a slim and subtle design, and while it lacks a built-in GPS and tap-to-pay function, it still has all the essential fitness features. That includes 20 exercise modes, blood-oxygen saturation, sleep tracking, stress management and more. It's also water resistant up to 50 meters and supports on-wrist notifications for calls and texts. Just note that only the midnight zen (black) color variant is on sale for this price. This discounted Arlo security camera makes it easy and affordable to keep an eye on your home from anywhere. It features full-HD video resolution, night vision and two-way audio so you can easily chat with your kids or guests from anywhere. It will also send alerts directly to your phone when activity is detected, and you can even remotely trigger the built-in spotlight and siren. Plus, it's battery-powered and rechargeable, so it's easy to install anywhere on your property.
The Independent
7 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
Do home security systems require a subscription? Plans, costs and features explained
Monthly or annual subscriptions are an increasingly common part of owning a home security system. At their simplest, these fees cover the cost of cloud storage, since some security cameras and video doorbells don't save their recordings locally. Some security products also bundle extra features with the cloud storage fee, such as AI tools for identifying people, vehicles, animals, and other types of movement. Lastly, — and arguably most importantly — is the subscription tier that unlocks professional monitoring. This is where a specially trained call centre agent is alerted when your alarm is triggered and can check in on the situation and even call the emergency services on your behalf if it's clear that something is wrong. Brands like Eufy and Arlo produce security cameras, video doorbells and alarm systems with no subscription fee, as their footage is saved locally and they don't offer professional monitoring services. Alarm systems from Ring, Arlo and Nest charge a monthly fee for cloud video storage, while professionally monitored systems from the likes of SimpliSafe and Verisure charge for both video storage and their all-important connection to the call centre and emergency services. Before buying a system – or deciding whether a home security system subscription is worth it – it's important to know what you want, and to understand how the system works without a subscription. For example, cameras from Ring and Simplisafe don't save video unless you're subscribed, although you'll still be notified via their respective apps if the intruder alarm is triggered. Which brands offer home security subscriptions? Practically all home security companies offer a subscription. Ring is probably the most well-known, thanks to its ownership by Amazon and the popularity of its video doorbells. The company also sells a wide range of indoor and outdoor security cameras, a home alarm system, and accessories such as door/window sensors and solar panels to keep camera batteries charged. Its subscription service is called Ring Protect. Prices start at £4.99 a month for the Basic tier, rising to £7.99 for Standard and £15.99 for Premium. Ring offers a discount for annual subscriptions, with the same three tiers priced at £49.99, £79.99 and £159.99, respectively. Arlo is another security company that operates on a subscription model. Prices for Arlo Secure start at £5.49 a month or £54.90 a year for the Single Cam tier, rising to £11.99 a month or £119.90 a year for Secure Multi-Cam, and £16.99 or £169.90 for the range-topping Secure Plus plan. Separately, Arlo offers its CVR (continuous video recording) plan, which records 24/7 like a traditional CCTV camera, rather than only when motion is detected. This costs from £10.99 per month, per camera, and can get expensive for larger properties. Eufy's cloud storage starts £3.99 a month for one camera or video doorbell, or £12.99 for multiple devices. Unlike many others, this is purely optional, since Eufy's are among the few security cameras that have local storage. Moving up the scale, Simplisafe offers two subscription packages, priced at £19.99 and £27.99 a month. Verisure offers a similar level of protection, complete with professional monitoring, but starts from around £30 per month. What's included in a home security system subscription? The simplest security system subscriptions unlock cloud storage for video recordings. For Ring and Arlo customers, this is a crucial addition, since those cameras and video doorbells do not store footage any other way. Paid-for cloud storage is less of a necessity for Eufy owners since those cameras save video to a microSD card in the device itself, or to an optional base station elsewhere in your home. By paying for a cloud storage subscription, owners of the Ring Alarm system also unlock Alarm Calls – where your pre-defined list of emergency contacts will receive an automated call when your home alarm is triggered. The subscription also includes cellular backup where the alarm system automatically connects to the mobile phone network to maintain functionality if your home broadband goes offline. The first of Simplisafe's two subscription tiers is similar to what Ring offers, providing cloud video storage for all camera and doorbell recordings for £19.99 a month. The higher tier is when Simplisafe's professional monitoring comes into play where an agent can check what's going on (by viewing live camera feeds, with your prior consent) and call the emergency services on your behalf. If what's caused the alarm isn't clear, Simplisafe will dispatch an agent from Securitas to visit your home and assess the situation. This tier costs £27.99 a month, close to the £30 a month Verisure charges for a similar level of protection and professional monitoring. The pros and cons of home security subscriptions Pros Cons Some cameras don't function fully without a subscription Monthly costs can add up, especially for multiple devices Single-camera users may find local storage options better value Limited functionality if you stop paying the fee Buyers of a single security camera, or a video doorbell, might be frustrated by the need to pay every month for cloud storage. If you only want a single camera, you're best picking one that stores footage locally and requires no ongoing fee, like those from Eufy. However, if you plan to install a larger security system – complete with motion sensors, a siren, a keypad, door/window sensors, multiple security cameras and more – then paying a subscription feels much more reasonable. Ensuring your alarm system stays active and connected to the internet during a power cut or a broadband blackout is a clear positive, and some customers will like the reassurance of Ring's automated calling system, which can let neighbours or family members know when the alarm is triggered. At the top end of the market, paying a higher fee for professional monitoring makes lots of sense for customers who want an alarm system that's connected to the emergency services. Since many neighbours are unlikely to respond to the blaring of an alarm, knowing Simplisafe and Verisure proactively investigate every incident can bring huge peace of mind. Ultimately, choosing a subscription comes down to comparing the features you want with your budget. It's also worth remembering that some home security systems, like cameras from Arlo and entire product packages from Simplisafe, work in a very restricted way, or even not at all, if you stop paying the subscription. With these systems, it's best to look at the ongoing fee like an extension of other household bills, like home insurance, rather than an optional extra.
Scotsman
a day ago
- Scotsman
Rotating camera smart doorbell vs Ring
Imou's Doorbell 2S has a clever trick up its sleeve | Imou This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. It rotates, it tracks, it looks slick – and it undercuts Ring. The Imou Doorbell 2S packs in high-end features like AI tracking, a 2K camera and a smart chime, all for under £80. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It's always welcome to see true innovation in the world of household technology, and the Imou Doorbell 2S is a prime example. Unlike normal video doorbells which have fixed cameras, the Doorbell 2S has a rotating camera. This means it can track people as they move around on your driveway. It sounds really simple, one of those "why did nobody think of that" moments, but is it any good? I've been living with one for a while, and it's pretty impressive. The sensor built into the Doorbell 2S has three megapixels and 2K resolution, and that's nothing to write home about these days, but it does deliver crisp and clear footage. The headline act, of course, is the rotating camera, and it allows for a 180 degree field of view. It's important to point out that, as remarkable as that sounds, a Ring video doorbell has a 160 degree field of view, and I've tested an Arlo doorbell before with 180 degrees from a static camera. An AI system tracks the person you're watching, and moves the lens automatically to follow them | Imou However, quite importantly, the outer extremities of any static camera will be distorted, and you won't get HD resolution in the widest parts of the field - let alone 2K or 4K. This panning system, then, even though it only moves through 30 degrees, allows for crystal clear footage from all angles across the spectrum, and it really can make a difference. It's backed up by a built-in AI system that recognises when someone is approaching and activates a tracking system that moves the lens from side to side. There are other things I like about the Doorbell 2S. It looks really smart. Some doorbells are quite bland and boxy (I'm looking at you, Ring). The Imou's brushed steel, sculpted housing looks premium, and the mirrored button looks fab. The night vision is superb, and there's also a chime included, which doubles as a WiFi extender - another neat touch. The 5,000mAh rechargeable battery should give you at least a couple of months between charges, and the app isn't one of the best on the market, but it's good. Response times are decent enough too. The included chime doubles as a WiFi extender - which is a clever touch | Imou There's no support for Google and Alexa, which is a shame, and the cloud-based features are via a subscription, but you can use an SD card for local storage. You might expect all this technology to come at a premium price, but it really isn't. Currys seems to be the best place to buy one from, and it's currently £79.99. Compare that to a Ring Wireless Video Doorbell, and it's £20 cheaper, despite the fact it doesn't come with a chime, it only supports 1080p footage, and you really do need to pay for a subscription to get the best out of it. So while it might seem like the Ring doorbell is the default choice, you'd be daft not to shop around. And I personally think you'd be mad to overlook the Imou Doorbell 2S. It's very good.
Scotsman
a day ago
- Scotsman
Rotating camera smart doorbell vs Ring
Imou's Doorbell 2S has a clever trick up its sleeve | Imou This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. It rotates, it tracks, it looks slick – and it undercuts Ring. The Imou Doorbell 2S packs in high-end features like AI tracking, a 2K camera and a smart chime, all for under £80. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It's always welcome to see true innovation in the world of household technology, and the Imou Doorbell 2S is a prime example. Unlike normal video doorbells which have fixed cameras, the Doorbell 2S has a rotating camera. This means it can track people as they move around on your driveway. It sounds really simple, one of those "why did nobody think of that" moments, but is it any good? I've been living with one for a while, and it's pretty impressive. The sensor built into the Doorbell 2S has three megapixels and 2K resolution, and that's nothing to write home about these days, but it does deliver crisp and clear footage. The headline act, of course, is the rotating camera, and it allows for a 180 degree field of view. It's important to point out that, as remarkable as that sounds, a Ring video doorbell has a 160 degree field of view, and I've tested an Arlo doorbell before with 180 degrees from a static camera. An AI system tracks the person you're watching, and moves the lens automatically to follow them | Imou However, quite importantly, the outer extremities of any static camera will be distorted, and you won't get HD resolution in the widest parts of the field - let alone 2K or 4K. This panning system, then, even though it only moves through 30 degrees, allows for crystal clear footage from all angles across the spectrum, and it really can make a difference. It's backed up by a built-in AI system that recognises when someone is approaching and activates a tracking system that moves the lens from side to side. There are other things I like about the Doorbell 2S. It looks really smart. Some doorbells are quite bland and boxy (I'm looking at you, Ring). The Imou's brushed steel, sculpted housing looks premium, and the mirrored button looks fab. The night vision is superb, and there's also a chime included, which doubles as a WiFi extender - another neat touch. The 5,000mAh rechargeable battery should give you at least a couple of months between charges, and the app isn't one of the best on the market, but it's good. Response times are decent enough too. The included chime doubles as a WiFi extender - which is a clever touch | Imou There's no support for Google and Alexa, which is a shame, and the cloud-based features are via a subscription, but you can use an SD card for local storage. You might expect all this technology to come at a premium price, but it really isn't. Currys seems to be the best place to buy one from, and it's currently £79.99. Compare that to a Ring Wireless Video Doorbell, and it's £20 cheaper, despite the fact it doesn't come with a chime, it only supports 1080p footage, and you really do need to pay for a subscription to get the best out of it.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Forbes
Reolink's New Floodlight Security Cam has AI Search Skills At No Extra Cost
The new Reolink Elite Floodlight WiFi smart security camera Chinese smart security camera specialist Reolink has taken the covers off of its new Elite Floodlight WiFi, which boasts 4K resolution, a 180-degree field of view, and - most intriguingly - an AI-powered local video search system that runs entirely on the device. We've seen the likes of Arlo and Ring unveil AI searching smarts in the past few months but these are both cloud-based platforms that require you to have a premium subscription plan in place. Reolink's offering, which is launching in Beta on the new Elite Floodlight WiFi, is all processed on the camera itself at no extra cost to the user. Dubbed Local AI Video Search, it lets you type in a phrase - think 'man in red jacket' or 'white van'- and the idea is that you will jump straight to the relevant footage without having to scroll through a timeline of clips. It's powered by Reolink's own ReoNeura AI engine, and the system supports search categories including people, vehicles, animals, and packages. Onto the camera itself and it looks a lot like the Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera and Ring's Floodlight Cam Wired Pro, but it's got a spec-sheet that blows both of these out of the water. The Elite Floodlight WiFi is built around a dual-lens 4K (8MP) setup with image stitching for a seamless 180° panoramic view. That makes it ideal for covering large spaces like driveways, courtyards, and front gardens without blind spots. The camera also benefits from AI-powered motion detection, which can distinguish between people, vehicles, animals, and even spot packages. You can create custom zones, draw digital fences, or set linger alerts for when someone hangs around too long. On top of the camera sit two adjustable LED floodlights that offer up to 3000 lumens of brightness, which should be more than enough to light up a decent patch of your property or give any late-night lurkers second thoughts. You can tweak both the brightness and color temperature, choosing anything from a warm 3000K glow to a cool 6000K blast of clarity. There are smart lighting modes too - motion-triggered, dusk-to-dawn, or fully manual if you want to control it all yourself - and there's also a 105dB siren on board. In terms of connectivity, it's dual-band Wi-Fi 6, which comes with WPA3 encryption for better data security, and - as with all Reolink cams - it requires no subscription to unlock full functionality, which is in stark contrast with most of the competition. The Reolink Elite Floodlight WiFi is up for pre-order now on Reolink's website, with prices starting at $219.99.
