Netgear Preps Smart Home Push with Arlo IP Cameras
by Ganesh T S on November 5, 2014 12:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Home Automation
- IP cameras
- NetGear
Home automation is emerging as one of the primary drivers in the rising popularity of the IoT (Internet of Things) concept. Popular home automation / smart home technologies include programmable thermostats (such as Nest and Honeywell Lyric) and remote controlled lights (such as the Philips Hue). IP cameras have been around as a security solution for quite some time, but they have not traditionally been included in the IoT discussions. As the smart home concept gains popularity, these three product categories are set to experience rapid growth.
Netgear is building upon their VueZone purchase by introducing the next generation wire-free cameras under the Arlo brand name. Simplicity and ease of use are primary drivers for the adoption of the VueZone family of cameras. Important updates (compared to the previous generation VueZone cameras) include high definition (720p) video clips and better configurability (such as schedules for turning off the camera completely).
Unlike the traditional IP cameras which stream video continuously, we are now seeing a sub-category where video is recorded and sent out only when there is movement. The Arlo IP cameras belong to this category. Since the units are battery powered, it does make sense to ensure that they don't run out of juice in a short time. The new design is also weather-proof, making it suitable for outdoor use. There are two models being introduced, one with IR LEDs for night vision, and the other suitable for day use or in illuminated locations.
As part of the smart home push, Netgear is introducing a hub to which up to four Arlo IP cameras can connect. Rules can be created for management of smart devices. Currently, the VueZone cameras (like Dropcam) allow for remote viewing, but recording to the cloud requires monthly plans. The new Arlo IP cameras will follow the same route. Fortunately, Netgear does realize that users would like to record to a local NAS. Since they also have the ReadyNAS product line, the Arlo team is definitely thinking about ensuring some sort of interoperability. However, cloud-free operation is not going to be a feature when the units ship to retail in January. Pricing for an Arlo-based security system (two IP cameras and a hub) is expected to be around $350. A standalone Arlo camera will retail for $170. However, it will not function without the hub.
In order to target the overall smart home ecosystem, Netgear is also announcing that they have joined the AllSeen Alliance and established a partnership with LIFX (a vendor of connected light bulbs).
Source: Netgear Arlo
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hmurchison - Wednesday, November 5, 2014 - link
I'm not going to pay any company a monthly fee to store video of my property. All of this "Cloud" BS needs to DIAF. Yes I know I'll end up rolling my own solution but it'll be far cheaper in the mid to long term.JimmaDaRustla - Wednesday, November 5, 2014 - link
Exactly - I want network cameras which record data to a server in my house. If I want that globally available, I can sync it somewhere or stream it. Getting tired of proprietary security solutions.hmurchison - Wednesday, November 5, 2014 - link
I think we all realize that companies have to be financially incentivized to create product but what I see happening with the consumer cloud is nothing more than leveraging a free infrastructure (consumer paid broadband) and erecting a paywall between a customer and their data. 2015 for me will be about de-clouding my infrastructure. If the File Transporter from Connected Data delivers a stable product for 3rd party partners I'm moving to it for bulk storage and sync.JeffFlanagan - Wednesday, November 5, 2014 - link
>I want network cameras which record data to a server in my house.The nice thing about that is the burglar takes the recording with him before you can see it. I don't see any positives to this plan, other than for burglars though.
imaheadcase - Wednesday, November 5, 2014 - link
He is not saying storing it locally forever, he wants to save his data and be given the option what to do with it, not the company. I agree with him, having options is better than the "Cloud or die" mentality going on with hardware now.reelportal - Thursday, November 6, 2014 - link
Glad to see someone else making their own solution. I recently released my ReelCam Video Surveillance system, which basically turns your own Android/iPhones into remote cameras. It requires a local Windows PC to record to, so your data is not in the cloud, unless you want it there. Since it's all based on my own ideas, I'd appreciate feedback from different perspectives.Colin1497 - Wednesday, November 5, 2014 - link
Surprised the ecobee 3 doesn't make the list of thermostats there.name99 - Thursday, November 6, 2014 - link
"As part of the smart home push, Netgear is introducing a hub to which up to four Arlo IP cameras can connect. "How do you tell that a company is more interested in lock-in than in actually solving user problems? When they start this "hubs" nonsense.
Exactly WHAT does their hub do that needs to be done with yet another piece of HW? Why can't these camera's talk to a bog-standard WiFi network and be configured via a phone app or web interface?
You can get away with selling a hub if that actually provides serious value (the mac as "digital hub" back in the day, or a WiFi base station) or (perhaps) if your brand name and general value is worth enough that people will put up with some BS. You can't get away with it if you're a no-name brand slapping "home automation" and "the internet of things" on some bog-standard commodity item.
T2k - Tuesday, November 11, 2014 - link
Shitty system design - WTF you need a fuckin dedicated hub for...? And even if you want to, why not 'locking' me into a Netgear router instead of this 'nother PoC unit? -, laughably expensive kit price, even more of a ripoff pricing on individual cameras. As usual with wireless devices, they are far behind D-Link's offerings. This is more expensive than Dropcam's already ridiculously expensive prices.Netgear, once again, is trying to push their greedy-as-fuck, nickel-and-dime-everything business model... and as always, it will be a fuckin' flop and they will back down.
A 3-4 cam wireless kit can be bought under $200 if you start looking and it will already come with a recorder - but I will just get cameras and record to my NAS, then mirror it to the cloud later.
jondaytoday - Wednesday, November 12, 2014 - link
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