Latest news with #smartcamera
The Verge
30-06-2025
- Business
- The Verge
Insta360's face-tracking Link 2 webcam is more affordable than ever
The Insta360 Link 2 is more than just a webcam — it's a smart camera that actively follows your movements whether you're presenting, streaming, or pacing during a call. It's also packed with an impressive array of productivity features. And right now, it's available at a new all-time low of $149.99 ($50 off) at Amazon. The webcam is a modest upgrade over the original Link, which was our favorite 4K webcam when it launched in 2022, boasting all the same impressive features with slight refinements. Like the original, it offers sharp, detailed 4K/30fps video even in low-light settings. But what really sets the Link 2 apart is its motorized three-axis gimbal, which keeps you perfectly centered in frame as you move around the room. The Link 2 also comes with a magnetic mount, letting you attach it to a wider range of surfaces without the need for additional mounting gear. In addition to its exceptional tracking abilities, the Link 2 features an AI-powered framing tool that automatically zooms and adjusts the shot to focus on your head, upper body, or full body, depending on your distance from the camera. It now supports customizable 'no-follow zones,' allowing you to prevent the camera from tracking movement in specific areas of the room for greater framing control. The Link 2's also far better suited for group presentations than its predecessor, thanks to an upgraded tracking system that can now follow multiple presenters simultaneously. At the same time, the webcam retains a suite of software features that help cut down on the extra gadgets typically needed for presentations. DeskView angles the camera slightly downward to showcase your workspace, while Overhead Mode captures top-down shots perfect for demos or unboxings. Whiteboard Mode utilizes included stickers to lock onto a presentation surface, keeping it in focus throughout meetings or tutorials. The Insta360 Link 2 offers the same auto-swiveling design as its predecessor, but is now smaller with new features like group tracking and no-follow zones. Sign up for Verge Deals to get deals on products we've tested sent to your inbox weekly.
TechCrunch
27-06-2025
- Business
- TechCrunch
PetLibro's new smart camera uses AI to describe your pet's movements, and it's adorable
PetLibro, the pet tech startup known for its automatic feeders and filtered water fountains, has just launched its latest product, the AI-powered Scout Smart Camera, designed to provide pet owners with real-time insights into their furbabies' activities and behaviors. Scout is similar to other pet cameras on the market; it monitors your pet in real-time and features two-way audio, allowing you to communicate with them if they're getting into mischief. The companion mobile app allows users to control the camera's movements, although the camera is also designed to detect and automatically follow their pet as they move past it. It can also make a chirping noise to grab their attention if you can't find them. What sets this device apart, however, is its AI capabilities. Scout uses pet recognition technology to track various activities, such as when your pet eats (which is helpful if they chew on things they shouldn't), drinks water, uses the litter box, or simply walks across the screen. It also captures surprise selfies of your pet when they are detected and provides daily highlights, storing clips in the cloud with up to a 30-day history. Additionally, Scout can recognize multiple pets, allowing it to track their activities separately. Users can currently set individual profiles for two pets in the app. 'Early on, our models struggled to tell similar-looking pets apart, which we knew was needed in many multi-pet pet households. Traditional facial recognition failed when pets moved quickly or shared features. This led us to develop a dynamic, first-of-its-kind (for an AI pet cam), feedback-driven system that improves through real-world use over time,' York Wu, founder and CEO, told TechCrunch. Image Credits:PetLibro A standout feature I appreciated as a pet owner is that the device doesn't just notify you of your pet's activities; it also provides cute descriptions. One of my favorites during testing was, 'Zelda is calmly strolling across the shiny floor, her nose pointed forward as she explores her surroundings with gentle curiosity.' How adorable is that? Techcrunch event Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Boston, MA | REGISTER NOW Another way PetLibro's Scout camera stands out is its ability to share devices with up to five other family members and friends. If you're interested in trying the device, it's priced at $100. There are multiple subscription plans available; however, to access the AI features, you can opt for either the standard tier, which costs $12 per month, or the premium tier, priced at $17 per month. Another pet camera company, Furbo, offers a similar device that includes an AI 'Nanny' assistant for $7 per month. The camera itself is priced at $210. While PetLibro's Scout camera is priced lower than Furbo's, it currently lacks a key feature found in Furbo's offering: the ability to detect and alert owners to barking sounds. PetLibro is actively working on adding this, along with meowing detection, which may broaden its appeal, as Furbo is primarily marketed to dog owners. Additionally, the Scout device doesn't have a food dispenser, but PetLibro plans to integrate AI capabilities with select feeders and fountains, aiming to differentiate its growing product line from competitors. It should be noted that the company's privacy policy indicates that its system collects image and video data captured by the camera for use in improving the device, including its AI features. Other smart cameras, such as Google Nest and Amazon Ring, also state in their privacy policies that they collect user data to improve their services. According to PetLibro, the data is handled in accordance with cybersecurity standards. The device doesn't use audio for AI data collection.
CNN
29-05-2025
- Business
- CNN
Blink just launched a new version of its best-tested video doorbell camera
Today, Blink is launching a new version of its affordable smart video doorbell. The Amazon-owned smart security camera company has been releasing budget-friendly and highly reviewed alternatives to Ring for years now. We thought so highly of the original front porch monitor that it earned a spot as the best budget video doorbell camera on our list. Now, a new version has arrived with upgraded features. Blink Video Doorbell (2025) Blink's latest doorbell may have added several new bells and whistles, but it's still one of the cheapest on the market. The upgrades don't raise the price from the original, either. The starter kit clocks in at $70, while those upgrading an existing setup can buy just the doorbell for $60. Blink first launched its original video doorbell all the way back in 2021. Nearing its fifth birthday, the smart home accessory is beginning to show its age in an era of more intelligent and more energy-efficient cameras. That hasn't stopped us from ranking the original so highly, but there's certainly room for improvement with its budget-friendly design. The new version of Blink Video Doorbell delivers exactly that. Amazon's budget security camera company isn't completely going back to the drawing board this time around, but there are some notable adjustments. The new Blink Video Doorbell is slightly larger than the previous version, mostly so it can accommodate three AA lithium batteries (the original had two AAs) to ensure it keeps the same two-year battery life as the first-generation version, even with all the new functionality. Person detection is easily the biggest upgrade, a feature that improves upon the motion alerts that my colleagues highlighted in our guide to the best video doorbell cameras. Instead of just pinging you when the camera notices movement, it can now alert you when it detects an actual person at your door. I appreciate that Blink is accomplishing this with on-device computer vision, which forgoes the need to send footage up to the cloud. Speaking of footage, the video quality offered by the camera is also being enhanced. There's now 1440p x 1440p image resolution, which is a notable improvement over the original's 1080p recordings. Blink also offers a larger 150-degree field of view with a 1:1 aspect ratio to ensure more of your porch and front yard are included in the shot. By comparison, the first-generation version only featured a 16:9 aspect ratio. Blink is improving its popular smart home camera with the launch of a new iteration. Despite packing so much new technology into the enhanced version, Amazon's budget camera is still staying true to its customers by keeping the pricing the same as the original. It's rare to see a company not raise prices these days when debuting a successor like this. If all the new features don't catch your eye, I'd be remiss not to mention just how good a value the original model and our current best-tested pick are by comparison. On sale at Amazon, the first-generation Blink Video Doorbell is still our favorite budget camera for your porch — for the time being. It won't be long before my testing colleagues get their hands on Amazon's latest release to see how it fares against the competition for themselves. Blink Video Doorbell Amazon's original Blink doorbell camera may be on the older side, but it's a value-focused alternative for those who can rely on 1080p recordings and basic motion detection alerts. Read our review The following FAQs were answered by senior deals editor Rikka Altland, based on reporting and research she conducted. Does the Blink Video Doorbell require a subscription? Does the Blink Video Doorbell require a subscription? No, the new Blink Video Doorbell works without a subscription. However, some functionality is locked behind a $3 per month ($30 per year) plan. Features like person detection alerts, as well as the ability to store your footage in the cloud, are included in that monthly subscription. The camera includes a free 30-day trial of a Blink Subscription Plan with purchase. Can you see live video on the Blink Video Doorbell? Can you see live video on the Blink Video Doorbell? Yes, the new version of Blink Video Doorbell offers on-demand live video as well as two-way audio when paired with the included Sync Module Core hub. Does the Blink Video Doorbell require a hub? Does the Blink Video Doorbell require a hub? Yes, the video doorbell needs to connect to the Blink Sync Module Core or Sync Module 2. The complete starter kit comes with the former, while existing Blink users can buy just the doorbell camera on its own to pair with an existing Sync Module. CNN Underscored has a team of writers and editors with many years of product testing experience as well as experience researching and recommending other buys, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when relevant to ensure we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. Senior deals editor Rikka Altland has personally been reviewing all kinds of tech and home goods for nearly a decade.
Android Authority
08-05-2025
- Business
- Android Authority
Your doorbell cam might have just picked up Google Home support
TL;DR Ecobee is finally getting Google Home smart camera support. The company has so far only confirmed compatibility with its wired Smart Doorbell Camera. Smart cameras are a great, affordable way to keep an eye on your home and valuables, whether you're traveling across the country or just hanging out in the backyard. And we've got no shortage of options to choose from when it comes to companies making them. If you're not committed to just one brand, though, that can quickly turn into a messy situation where you're juggling multiple apps. Luckily, Google Home is happy to help, and it's becoming even more helpful this week as it adds support for its latest camera manufacturer. Once connected to Google Home, working with cameras from different companies becomes a lot easier. You can see them all together in one big list in the app on your Android phone, or even pull up feeds on smart displays like your Nest Hub. Major brands like Arlo and Wyze have supported Home for ages, and last year we saw Philips Hue join the club. Now Ecobee cameras are coming to Home, as well. Ecobee's a brand you may associate first with smart thermostats, but like so many other companies, once you dip a toe in the waters of smart home devices, it's difficult to resist the temptation to expand. Right now the company has two camera options in its lineup: the indoor SmartCamera and a wired Smart Doorbell Camera. In today's announcement, Ecobee only shares Home support for the Doorbell Camera. We've reached out to see if it has any plans to extend that to the indoor cam, as well. Just like with any other smart camera that has come into the favor of Google Home, you'll now be able to access your feeds with convenient voice commands. And if you've also got an Ecobee Smart Security subscription, you'll still be able to enjoy its benefits like package detection and its 30-day video history. Google doesn't maintain an exhaustive list of third-party cameras it supports in Home, but it feels like we've got to be getting close to the end of the stragglers, at least among major brands. Are you still waiting for Home support to come to some of your smart cameras? Let us know whose door we've got to go beating down in the comments below. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
