Best new security gadgets

There's a new generation of smart video cameras that make it easy to keep an eye on what's happening on the home front, no matter where you are. These modern cameras come with Wi-Fi connectivity for easy installation and the ability to watch from anywhere on your smartphone, tablet or computer. Though it's not an entirely hidden fee, be aware that once you've paid for the camera, you can typically watch live video over the Internet for free, but if you want to save, store and review older video or use other advanced features, you'll have to pay an additional monthly fee.

Our favorites are SwannSmart Video ($129), Dropcam ($149) and HomeMonitor ($199). The viewing service that comes with each camera is a bit different, but all let you watch live video for free and pay for extra features: SwannSmart costs $5.99 a month, Dropcam costs $9.95 to $29.95 depending on how many days of old video you want to access, and HomeMonitor offers up to 7 days of video for free and charges $3 a month if you want to be able to view even older video.

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2013/08/11/smart-camera-home-automation-security/2623367/

Popular posts from this blog

Commercial Automation Leader SOMFY Joins ZigBee

The ZigBee Alliance, a non-profit maintaining and delivering open, global standards for the low-power wireless Internet of Things (IoT), announced that SOMFY has joined the ZigBee Alliance. A world leader in the home and commercial automation market, SOMFY develops, manufactures and distributes products in 58 countries across five continents. From motorized window treatments for residential and commercial buildings to automated outdoor extensions, gates and garage doors, SOMFY provides a complete range of the latest motorized solutions, automatic systems and alarms designed to make daily life easier, safer and more pleasant. Read more: http://virtual-strategy.com/2016/08/09/european-home-and-commercial-automation-leader-somfy-joins-zigbee-alliance-board-of-directors/
Read more

Home automation gets cheaper, smarter, easier

The promise of widely available home automation has been around since "The Jetsons" aired 50 years ago. But until recently, smart- home systems have been pricey and complex, typically requiring professional installation. And few consumers have been aware of the availability of such services or haven't been convinced that they needed them. But in recent years, major consumer service providers — including ADT, Comcast and Vivint — have entered the market, helping promote the concept of home automation and make it more accessible to average consumers. Companies such as Comcast and Vivint now offer basic home-automation systems for less than $500 installed. And Lowe's Iris, which is available for about $300 for a full system, is designed for self-installation. "We definitely see that (home automation) is moving increasingly into the mainstream," said Jonathan Collins, an analyst with ABI Research. Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/ci_22649153/is-smart...
Read more

New home construction down last month

Construction of new homes nudged down slightly in May, with builders pulling back in the Northeast and Midwest. Housing starts ticked down 0.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.16 million units, the Commerce Department said Friday. The government's residential construction report can be volatile on a monthly basis, which might explain the slight decrease. Home construction has improved much of this year, with single-family houses accounting for much of the gains unlike recent years when developers focused more on apartments. Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_30027562/u-s-home-construction-down-slightly-may
Read more