Vivint Doorbell Targets Porch Piracy
Smart home provider Vivint has launched the Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro – a video doorbell that does all things video doorbells are supposed to do (1080p HD video streaming, two-way talk, infrared night vision, etc.)… and sends notifications when packages are delivered. The camera has a 180-degree field of view horizontally and vertically and Vivint says it can automatically detect the presence of packages. If the camera detects someone attempting to steal a package, a red light will start flashing, a warning tone will sound, and a notification will be sent to your phone.
The NPD Take:
- Vivint’s doorbell isn’t particularly earth shattering in terms of new technology: the Arlo Video Doorbell also has 180-degree field of view while Nest Hello also has package detection and notifications with the Nest Aware service. Nevertheless, porch privacy is a real thing and a compelling reason to buy a smart doorbell. According to an article in The New York Times, as many as 90,000 packages a day vanish (stolen or otherwise mysteriously disappearing) in New York City – and surely New York City is not alone. The Vivint doorbell should be a welcome addition to any Vivint customers’ existing security system.
Get Ready to Update Your Philips Hue Lights
Signify is ending support for the original Philips Hue Bridge (first introduced in 2012) at the end of April. After that, no software updates will be made available and compatibility with Philips Hue online services will be terminated, though consumers can still control the bridge locally via its app. Presumably this means that the ability to control your lighting from down the street or across the country and around the world will go away.
The NPD Take:
- Philips (now Signify) essentially built the smart lighting category from the ground up, and several years later, still remains the market leader. However, that lead is shrinking every day (hyperbole alert) as lower cost alternatives become increasingly common. If consumers feel forced to buy a new bridge for full functionality, will they choose a new lighting solution altogether?
Abode is Getting a New App
Smart home company Abode has announced that it has new iPhone and Android apps in the works, with beta versions available now. Changes are supposed to include quick access to live feeds and frequently used automations, new widgets, and easier switching between multiple accounts on a single phone.
The NPD Take:
- Hardware is only half of the equation in the home automation experience, if that. Once the hardware is installed, the experience moves on to the software, how easy it is to interact with the apps, and how functional the apps are. This becomes even more crucial as consumers’ collection of products (and the potential number of apps they need to interact with) grows.