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Amazon announces Cloud Cam, a security camera with Alexa

by Mark Tyson on 26 October 2017, 11:31

Tags: Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN)

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Amazon has launched a new indoor home security camera simply dubbed the Cloud Cam. On the hardware side it sounds like a rather ordinary IP camera – it supports 1080p video recording, night vision, and two-way audio. It is on the software side Amazon pulls ahead of similar looking (but much cheaper at £30-ish) IP cameras from the likes of D-Link and TP-Link; thanks to its leverage of Alexa smarts, optional Amazon Key integration, and a useful free level of AWS storage.

Cloud Cam is said to work seamlessly with your Alexa smart home accessories such as Echo Show, Echo Spot, Amazon Fire TV devices, and Fire tablets. For example you can query Alexa simply by saying “Alexa, show me the [camera name]”, or alternatively make use of Amazon’s Android or iOS app for similar functionality on the go.

While out and about, you are likely to appreciate the (customizable) notifications sent from the Cloud Cam App. These might be triggered by the advanced motion detection and computer vision technology of Cloud Cam. AWS cloud power means that over time you will see more advanced detection, alerts, and other new features become available in the service and on the camera itself.

The last 24 hours of video clips will be stored securely on AWS cloud for free, with support for up to three cameras. Amazon is seeking to sell greater storage durations / camera feeds, person detection and ignore zones via subscriptions, which will be priced as following in the USA:

  • Basic ($6.99/mo, $69/yr) offers access to the last 7 days of motion detection clips for up to 3 cameras
  • Extended ($9.99/mo, $99/yr) offers access to the last 14 days of motion detection clips for up to 5 cameras
  • Pro ($19.99/mo, $199/yr) offers access to the last 30 days of motion detection clips for up to 10 cameras

I mentioned Amazon Key in the intro. The Cloud Cam can work with Amazon Key and a home smart lock to track deliveries into your home with the camera, allow you to watch the delivery live or catch up with a recording when you have time – with mobile notifications provided.

Amazon claims that “Cloud Cam is a premium product at a non-premium price,” with its launch price of $119, duo pack at $199, trio-pack at $289 - or single unit bundled with an Echo Show for $299. The Amazon Cloud Cam will become available in the US from 8th November but you can pre-order it now. There is no word on UK pricing and availability as yet.

HEXUS Forums :: 8 Comments

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Posted by Corky34 - Thu 26 Oct 2017 12:30
Seven months to late, a security camera that uploads to the cloud and integrates a voice assistance is anything but secure IMO.
Posted by TheAnimus - Thu 26 Oct 2017 12:32
Nope, nope, nope.
Posted by Spud1 - Thu 26 Oct 2017 13:12
I've no need for an internal camera so isn;t much interest to me, but I know the nest equivalent is rather popular and people do seem to like the indoor cameras for homes with pets etc so I see the appeal.

The amazon key idea is kind of OK in principle, but in the UK particularly where delivery drivers often earn less than minimum wage by the time all costs are taken into account…I wouldn't trust that system at all! I have a smart front door lock already, on the basis that its simple to pick the majority of UK locks, particularly the common Yale or “euro cylinder” ones regardless of whether it's multi-point or not, so it's no less secure..but thats different from letting an under paid delivery driver into your home!
Posted by Saracen - Fri 27 Oct 2017 00:04
And here was me thinking Alexa (and Cortana, etc) were intrusive enough when Amazon manage to take it to a whole new level.

No, just no. Not now, not ever.

Each to his/her own, I guess, and no doubt some people will love it, but for me, hell will freeze over first. So as far as my home is concerned, and I mean this quite literally, over my dead body. If some kind soul installed it for me, completely free, I will immediately reconfigure it with a club hammer.

No, no, no and evermore, bleep no.
Posted by Output - Fri 27 Oct 2017 00:34
As with others here, this is a “no chance in hell” for me.

I would also imagine (I know absolutely nothing about how insurers actually think, so this is merely a guess) that despite the camera functionality, an insurer would be more likely to frown upon such a setup.

It seems to me that it's trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist, or is such an insignificant problem that the risks are way too high for the possible few who do consider it to be one.

EDIT: For me, the same also applies to smart locks in general.

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