Latest news with #videoDoorbell
CNET
3 days ago
- Business
- CNET
Amazon Launches a Powerful New Affordable Blink Video Doorbell, but There's a Catch
Amazon has released a new version of its Blink video doorbell with new features and improvements over the previous generation. Best of all, it's still incredibly affordable, at only $60, especially when you pit it against something like Google's Nest doorbell. However, before you place your order, know that it comes with a catch. It might not be a big deal for everyone, but it could be for some. Below, we'll fill you in on what's new with the updated Blink Doorbell and what you should know before purchasing one. For more, don't miss our expert picks for the best wireless home security cameras in 2025. What's new in the latest Blink doorbell? While there are some meaningful upgrades, it would be a stretch to say there's a ton of differences to the latest version of the Blink doorbell. Then again, there's only so much one should expect for a video doorbell at this price point. From up top, there's a new "head-to-toe" HD live view with a 1:1 aspect ratio that will allow you to get a fuller view of what appears in front of your door. This was something we felt was a missed opportunity with the last Blink doorbell, so this is very much a welcomed upgrade. Additional updates for video include an expanded 150 degree field of view (up from 135 degrees) and a resolution bump from 1080p to 1440p for better viewing across the board. There's also better ingress protection this time around, coming in with an IP65 rating so it can weather the elements better. Finally, person detection is available for those who have a Blink subscription plan, allowing you to get alerts when an actual person is at your door instead of an animal or object. Up to two years of life with the included batteries The Blink should also last up to two years using the included AA batteries, which is a promise made with the previous doorbell as well, though we were unable to test it out for that full length of time. However, CNET's home security editor, Tyler Lacoma, has been testing the Blink Outdoor 4 camera with a similar two-year battery life promise. After more than a year, he says the camera is definitely on track to meet that two-year rating before the batteries need to be replaced. The Sync Module and storage catch We'd call this a catch more than a feature, but also new with this Blink doorbell model is that the Sync Module is now required for use and isn't included. You can buy a bundle with both the doorbell and the Sync Module for only $70. That price point still feels like a good deal, but if you're looking to store your video feeds locally, well, you can't do that with this $10 Sync Module. If you don't mind using the cloud, the basic Blink subscription allows you to store up to 60 days of video feed that you can access from the app. If you want more control of your storage, you'll need to opt for a more expensive add on, like the Sync Module 2 or Sync Module XR. The Sync Module 2 will cost you $50 and allows for a 256GB USB flash drive to be attached for local storage where the XR version runs for $70 and comes with a microSD card slot. So if local storage is important to you, expect to pay near or over double the cost of the doorbell itself for that convenience. And don't forget you'll need to purchase your storage drive, too. A catch like that may have some people pausing on their purchase but for those who don't mind using the cloud for storage, it shouldn't be a problem. For more, don't miss the worst home security myths that everyone needs to stop believing.
Digital Trends
3 days ago
- Business
- Digital Trends
The new Blink Video Doorbell offers two-year battery life, person detection
The Blink Video Doorbell is a popular choice for frugal shoppers, and its next-generation successor is looking to follow in its footsteps. Available today, the new Blink Video Doorbell offers a remarkable two-year battery life, an improved field of view, a reworked design, and the low price of just $70. If you've ever been shopping for an affordable video doorbell, you've probably stumbled upon the old Blink Video Doorbell. Available for just $60, it was a great alternative to premium devices from Nest and Ring. Blink is looking to build on that success with the new Video Doorbell. Its price has crept up $10, but it also picked up some nice new features. The biggest improvement is its field of view — it's been enhanced to a 150-degree head-to-toe perspective, compared to the 135-degree horizontal view of its predecessor. You'll also benefit from smart notifications with person detection when bundled with a Blink subscription plan. Other notable features include a two-year battery life, a streamlined installation process, and the availability of black and white models. Of course, it also syncs with Alexa and Echo devices, allowing for hands-free monitoring and other automations. Recommended Videos Blink gave the new video doorbell a facelift, as it now features an oblong button on its front instead of the circular one found on the older model. It's also streamlined some of its curves and color schemes, resulting in a sleek device. It's not quite as striking as some of its more expensive competitors, but it looks great considering its low price. The new Blink Video Doorbell is now available, as is the Sync Module Core–which works as a hub that lets you connect and control up to 10 Blink gadgets. For more options, check out our list of the best video doorbells. This includes alternatives for all budgets, plus premium picks from Nest, Ring, and Arlo.
The Verge
3 days ago
- Business
- The Verge
Blink's budget buzzer gets some worthwhile upgrades
Amazon's budget security camera company, Blink, has launched the second generation of its popular video doorbell. The new Blink Video Doorbell adds a head-to-toe view and improved video resolution. It can also now alert you when a person is at your door instead of just the neighborhood cat or a strong gust of wind triggering its motion sensors. The doorbell camera comes with a new, more basic hub, the Sync Module Core, which, unlike the first-gen model, is required to use the buzzer. Blink's latest doorbell is still one of the cheapest on the market, costing $59.99 without the hub and $69.99 with it. The lowest-priced battery-powered buzzer from Ring, Blink's sister brand, is $99, and it only claims six to 12 months of battery life compared to Blink's industry-leading two years, powered by its custom silicon. Upgrades on this version include an improved 150-degree field of view with a 1:1 aspect ratio. That should give you a head-to-toe view of your porch so you can see people and packages. The prior version, which is my pick for the best budget video doorbell, has a 16:9 aspect ratio. This buzzer also adds 1440p x 1440p image resolution, according to Jonathan Cohn, Blink's head of product. This is a step up from 1080p, meaning footage should be clearer. There's still no color night vision; it retains the infrared night vision of the first-gen model. The biggest upgrade is the addition of person detection; the first-gen model sends alerts for any motion, but now you can be notified just when there's a person at your door. This is powered by on-device computer vision, so it doesn't require the cloud. But it does require a $3 per month ($30 per year) Blink subscription plan (which also adds 60 days of cloud storage for recorded video). Blink has slowly been bringing person detection to its lineup, adding it first to its wired floodlight camera, then its flagship outdoor camera, and its Blink Mini indoor / outdoor camera last year. The new doorbell requires a Sync Module to work, Cohn says, and it now comes with the new Sync Module Core, rather than the Sync Module 2. This is something of a downgrade as the Core doesn't have the local storage option that the Sync 2 offers. Cohn says the module helps extend battery life and range and enables on-demand live view and two-way audio. He confirmed that the new doorbell can work with the Sync 2 and the newer long-range Sync Module XR, if you already have one or if you want local storage. The new buzzer features a slightly chunkier design to accommodate three AA lithium batteries as opposed to two in the first-gen version. The extra battery helps maintain the impressive two-year battery life while powering improved image quality and the addition of person detection, Cohn says. Blink is unique among security camera makers as it uses its own chip that's optimized for power management, so while it doesn't boast the higher-end features like those from Ring and Arlo, you don't have to worry about dealing with charging or replacing its batteries as often. It can also be hardwired to main power, which allows the doorbell to work with an existing indoor chime. Unfortunately, Blink chose not to upgrade the device's Wi-Fi capabilities; it's still limited to 2.4GHz. Motion-activated recording is also limited to just 30-second clips, and the two-way audio is push-to-talk, which is like using a walkie-talkie, as opposed to full duplex, which is more like a phone call and is what you'll find on most other video doorbells. Presumably, most of these limitations are designed to extend battery life, and Blink's two years is still its standout feature; no other video doorbell on the market comes close. The addition of higher video quality and person detection, all for the same price, makes this a worthy upgrade. The second-generation Blink Video Doorbell is available to buy now on Amazon for $69.99 with the Sync Module Core or $59.99 as a standalone device.
Bloomberg
3 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Amazon-Owned Blink Debuts Doorbell Cam With Wider View, Person Detection
Blink, the Inc. -owned hardware brand known for its connected doorbells and video cameras, introduced new devices on Thursday, the latest entries in a saturated market for smart-home gadgets. Compared with its predecessor, the newest Blink Video Doorbell provides a more expansive 150-degree 'head-to-toe' field of view that should give a fuller preview of guests and package deliveries, according to the company. The device runs on three standard AA batteries and is rated for as much as two years of battery life, it added.
The Independent
4 days ago
- General
- The Independent
10 best video doorbells for upgrading your home security system
Video doorbells FAQs Do video doorbells work with Alexa? Most popular video doorbells are compatible with Alexa and Amazon Echo devices. For the most seamless setup and experience, Alexa users should consider choosing a Ring doorbell. Ring is also owned by Amazon, so the functionality between the devices is more reliable than with a third-party video doorbell. Video doorbells list which voice assistants and smart home setups they're compatible with. Look out for the 'Works with Alexa' badge, the 'Works with Hey Google' (or 'Works with Nest') badge, and the 'Works with Apple HomeKit' badge. Is there a monthly fee for a video doorbell? Most of the bestselling video doorbells don't store recordings locally, but upload their footage to the cloud. This makes them more secure – as an intruder would be unable to access and destroy the evidence – but to cover the cost of storing and viewing these recordings, a monthly subscription fee is charged. Many video doorbells work without a subscription, either by deleting footage after a short while, only providing live audio and video feeds, or by storing their recordings locally. I've chosen the Toucan wireless video doorbell (£99.95, as the best video doorbell without a subscripti on. How do I install a smart doorbell? Battery-powered video doorbells are easier to install than their wired counterparts and can usually be secured to a wall or door using the supplied anchors and some basic tools. Installing a wired video doorbell requires basic knowledge of wiring. Each doorbell will have a slightly different installation, so follow the instructions carefully. If you're not confident, book an electrician to do the job. Some general tips to bear in mind: take a picture of your old wiring before you begin, so you can put things back the way they were, if needed, and switch off the power at the fuse box before you start working (though if you need us to tell you that, you should probably call an electrician). Do you need an electrician to install a Ring video doorbell? Like changing a light fitting or rewiring a plug, installing a video doorbell does not require a certified electrician to carry out the work. This doesn't mean installing a video doorbell is a simple or safe task, however. While there are easy-to-follow guides online, if you want to be absolutely sure the doorbell is installed properly, it's worth calling a professional. Most electricians will be very familiar with the leading brands of video doorbells and can carry out the work quickly and without fuss. Do all doorbell cameras need wifi? Not all video doorbells need wifi, but most do. Some video doorbells have SIM cards and operate on mobile data networks. Wired video doorbells will continue to work like a traditional doorbell, even if you lose wifi. The verdict: Video doorbells The Ring doorbell offers incredible value for money. You get great HD images and most of the top-of-the-range functions at a fraction of the price of some others in this round-up. The subscription fee is fair for the service offered. Plus, I love how customisable the functions are, from choosing your chime to the sensitivity of the motion detection. If you're not keen on cloud-based storage, the eufy S330 looks great and offers quality footage, and the chime box is included in the price.
