Latest news with #securityDevices
CNET
2 days ago
- CNET
My Top 5 Ways to Give Your Old Security Devices a New Lease on Life
Buying new smart home security devices is exciting, especially if they bring hot new features that your old gear doesn't offer. Smart home tech continues to improve it's offerings with better features like AI detection and more. But that doesn't mean you need to give up on your old security tech just yet. I switch out a whole lot of home devices in my reviews, so I'm always tinkering with ways to reuse or find more value in these products. Before you throw out old technology, I've got some ideas. It makes good financial sense to reuse old tech, too. A recent CNET survey found that US adults feel pressured to buy new devices before they are impacted by tariffs, for example. So why not go for the double-win of avoiding a price increase and making good use of the tech you're replacing, too? Conversely, 27% of shoppers said that they are delaying big purchases. All the more reason to see if you can reuse something you already have to remove the need to purchase something new. CNET already has an excellent guide to turning an old phone into a security camera. However, there's a lot more you can do with your old smart home gear. Before you consider recycling or donations, check out these tips. Turn a cam into a birdwatcher Outdoor cams can serve many purposes, including watching wildlife once their main job is through. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Security cameras eventually reach the end of their current life, especially when you upgrade to a higher resolution, choose to stop paying for video storage or move to a different home. But that doesn't mean the camera is destined for the dustbin: These cameras generally still have working motion detections and apps that support live view. If they're wireless, you still have the option to put them in many different spots. One of the most popular new uses for old security cams is a bird or wildlife watcher. You can post these cameras in front of a birdfeeder or salt lick, for instance, to get up-close views of what wildlife comes near, along with (if you prefer) notifications about their movement. Open your live view to take a look and nab a screenshot if you want. Bring an outdoor cam inside as a nanny cam The end-gen Arlo Essential Indoor cam is an all-around nanny cam winner. Arlo Outdoor security cams can run into major problems, including broken mounts, scratched lenses, poor fields of view or even legal troubles. If its time as an outdoor monitor has run out, don't throw it away: Bring that camera inside for another task. One effective job, even for a damaged camera, is keeping watch over a baby's crib, pet bed or other nanny cam job. You can set up the old cam on a shelf or nearby table without needing a mount, and even a damaged camera can get a clear enough view and activate motion alerts to let you know about disturbances or changes in behavior that need your attention. Revive a smart display as a digital photo frame Old smart displays are perfect digital photo albums. Amazon Whether you're worried about privacy, upgrading to a new model or choosing a new method of home control, smart displays can reach the end of their useful lives, too. But even if you don't use them to control smart homes, ask voice assistants questions, or watch videos anymore, they can still serve a purpose even if they aren't a central hub anymore. One of the best ways to use an old smart display is by converting it to a digital picture frame. All it needs is access to an outlet, and you can put the display on a shelf or table to showcase a favorite album of pictures, like an eternal screensaver of happy moments. Echo Shows, Nest Hubs, and Lenovo smart displays all have the ability to tap into online photo albums like Google Photos or Amazon albums that you can manage and adjust whenever you want. Then, you can enable a photo mode on the smart display to show them off. That could give your display years of extra service at no additional cost. Recruit a smart plug as an energy monitor device You'd be surprised how many new purposes you can find for an old smart plug. Eve If you're switching around appliances, lighting solutions or entertainment setups, you may find a smart plug or two you no longer use. In these cases, there's another way you can use smart plugs even if you aren't scheduling or controlling devices from afar. Most smart plugs can still work as energy monitors, giving you an idea of how much electricity any plug-in device in your home uses. Passive energy monitoring can be useful for spotting ways to save money or finding the real energy hogs in your home, but that's just the start. Even basic on/off functionality can have its uses as well, especially when it comes to safety. Some people, for example, like to recruit a smart plug where they plug in their blow-dryers or curlers so they can always know for certain if they are turned off or not. Others like to put one on small freezers, so they know if it has unexpectedly shut off. Retrofit an old home security system Wired home security systems don't have to stay forgotten with remnants of an old security system, especially a wired system that can't be easily removed, is more common than you'd think for new homeowners and renters. While you must be careful accessing these devices, you can often retrofit them with a smart upgrade to make them functional again and play well with app controls -- if you have the patience. The key is using a solution like which offers kits that convert old security alarm systems (and other things like old smart garage doors) into versions ready for Wi-Fi and advanced smart features. You can then use popular platforms like SmartThings, Home Assistant and Hubitat to control the security system with updated features. The only downside to this conversion is that it will require some DIY work, including wiring in the new panel. It's not going to work well with modern wireless security sensors, although those may be supported through Zigbee connections for other types of workarounds. Can I remove components from my smart home devices and use those? As an option to tinker around and learn about electronics, sure; as a way to reuse smart home technology -- don't expect anything. Hobbyists with the right tools, parts and coding platforms may be able to make something functional, but again, this is mostly for fun. And, of course, it will void your warranties and make products ineligible for trade-ins, donations, and so on. For more information, visit our guide on how to start making your home smarter, how to reduce the number of smart apps you have to use and how specific smart home devices can save you money.
Gizmodo
3 days ago
- Business
- Gizmodo
Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit Drops to Black Friday Low, Amazon Clears Stock for Non-Prime Members
When it comes to home security devices, certain items aren't frequently discounted that deeply. The Ring Alarm 14-piece kit is one of the hard-to-find deals, and today it's priced about as low as Black Friday last year – something we haven't witnessed since then. What's making this deal even better is that, unlike with Prime Day, you don't need a Prime membership in order to take advantage. Anyone can take this deal, and it's for the 14-piece set only and not smaller sets. Priced at $330, this best-selling home security system is now selling for only $198, which is a 40% discount. This is an actual all-time low, and it's the best deal you're going to find for a full wireless alarm system. See at Amazon Up to Four Bedrooms This Ring Alarm is designed to provide good protection for homes with two to four bedrooms. It includes everything you'll require to start: one base station, two keypads, eight contact sensors, two motion detectors, and one range extender. The base station is the command hub of it all and communicates with all the devices wirelessly and providing the added convenience of a loud siren if an alarm is triggered. The two remote keypads enable you to arm or disarm from handy locations, effortlessly locking up your house when you depart and easily disarming when you return. The eight contact sensors are perfectly suited to door and window monitoring, alerting you straight away if any are opened inappropriately. The two motion detectors add to security by sensing movement in strategic places and the range extender ensures all devices stay in communication, even with a large home. The system is easy to set up with clear instructions and a user-friendly mobile app that guides you through it. You can then manage everything from your phone and get live alerts if your alarm is activated. The Ring app lets you view all your Ring devices in one location which makes you feel secure wherever you are. The system also features an expandable design which means you can add more sensors or accessories anytime to customize your security system according to your changing needs. The Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit also works well with Alexa: With an Alexa-compatible Ring Home Plan (subscription plan necessary, sold separately), you can trigger or cancel your alarm with voice commands. This hands-free feature is perfect for busy households or anyone who appreciates the ease of smart home equipment. The system's dependability, ease of use, and adaptability make it a home security system top choice, and its current price makes it an unbeatable value. This Ring Alarm kit is the smart decision for protecting your home, make sure you grab this deal before it expires. See at Amazon
CNET
25-05-2025
- CNET
We Found 4 Ways to Setup a Security System Without Wi-Fi
Memorial Day is nearly here. However, deep discounts on electronics and security items like smart home security systems are already live, making it a good time to add to your security network. We're seeing price cuts on everything from smart locks and motion sensors to security cams and leak detectors. Each addition will continue to help against rising porch theft incidents. With that said, many systems and devices primarily rely on Wi-Fi to stay connected. This is an understandable concern, because if your wireless network goes down, your security devices go down, too. Fortunately, with the right products and protocols, you can set up a security system without Wi-Fi -- but you need to know a few basics first. Our guide will help you with important details and recommend the right setups. Read more: The Best Home Security Devices When You're Off the Grid Can home security systems work without Wi-Fi? Yes. Many home security systems don't need Wi-Fi to work. However, you may be giving up certain features in return for this flexibility. In other cases, add-ons help normally router-dependent home security function even if your Wi-Fi dies, like in a power blackout. Google Are home security systems more vulnerable on Wi-Fi? Hacking home security systems is very rare and is typically only done by acquaintances who already had access to the system. But with poor security habits your wireless network can be vulnerable to hacking. Always enable the highest level of encryption your home devices can support, and create a robust password for your Wi-Fi login. You'll also have to decide whether you want your home security devices online at all. Connecting to the internet in any form can increase certain risks, like getting your info stolen in a large-scale database theft. But it also brings many benefits, including remote monitoring and cloud video storage. How do I know if my security devices can work without a wireless network? Below, we'll cover the best options for security system without Wi-Fi . But looking for cellular, PoE (power over Ethernet) and offline features is the best way to ensure your system doesn't need Wi-Fi, or can keep going if your router goes down. Do home security systems without Wi-Fi cost more? Sometimes, but they can also cost less -- it depends on the type of system you get. An offline camera system is likely to cost less. Cellular backup support will usually cost more. The best home security without Wi-Fi Quit relying on Wi-Fi for your home security management with several effective answers... Option 1: Cellular backup for security systems Arlo's new Security Tag and keypad. Arlo If you want (or already have) a traditional home security system with important features like app alerts and remote live views or controls, your best option is to equip your system with a cellular backup. These backups can replace Wi-Fi with a cell signal, and work in tandem with built-in hub batteries (another common inclusion in modern systems) to keep systems running even when the power is out. The trick is that cellular backups aren't free. In some cases, you'll need to purchase an extra device, like this cellular and battery backup from Arlo ($80). In other cases, your security hub already has the capability. But you'll always have to pay a subscription fee for the service, and cellular support isn't always cheap. Arlo, for example, requires a professional monitoring subscription to get cell and battery backup, which only kicks in at the Premium plan, currently around $20 per month. Ring Alarm starts cellular backup at its Standard plan for compatible systems, which costs $10 per month. Expect similar fees like these to enable cellular backup for essentially any security system. Option 2: PoE (power over Ethernet) devices Reolink's affordable PoE cam is a great budget pick if you have cable options. Reolink PoE systems use a single cable connection to supply both power and an internet connection to a device such as a security camera. That makes them ideal for outdoor cams that are far away from Wi-Fi or that need more reliability. It won't help solve blackout problems, but otherwise it's a hands-off cam that doesn't require battery charging and still provides all the online benefits you want. Reolink stands above most home security brands as one of the best choices for PoE cameras. It offers many options, but one of our favorites is the Reolink 4K RLC-810A outdoor camera. It's a high-res cam that's affordable; has object recognition and long-distance night vision; some smart home support; and is entirely subscription-free when you add a microSD card. Option 3: Closed network NVR system Lorex is an excellent choice for NVR systems that avoid Wi-Fi or stay offline altogether for your privacy. Lorex/CNET Homeowners also have the option to ditch the internet completely with an offline NVR or network video recorder, a favorite option for people who want to keep their home security away from the web, the cloud and any wireless signals entirely. The NVR is connected to a display where it can show multiple feeds at the same time, just like how a security guard monitors cameras in a store. Brands like Lorex or Swann sell a variety of Ethernet cables and shielding to security buyers, and security kits will often come with cables for these kinds of NVR systems. You may also be able to choose an analog setup with a BNC cable, or a wireless setup that skips the router and connects to a compatible home hub (Lorex offers both these options, as well as the ability to turn its more advanced Home Security Center offline). However, an offline NVR setup like this will put your security system back decades. You'll miss out on the most advanced features, including checking live views from a distance on your phone. We recommend staying online if possible: Consider a wired connection that still connects the NVR to the internet for the best of both worlds. Option 4: A noncellular trail cam Trail cams are a rough and ready option if you want to keep watch on a spot without relying on the internet. Founissa/CNET Does managing cables annoy you? You have a final security option that ignores Wi-Fi and can work anywhere, wire-free. These are the same trail cams that capture inquisitive wildlife out in remote areas where cell connections aren't reliable. Trail cams like this model for $80 have far-reaching night vision and lots of battery life so they can last for many months at a time even with 4K resolution and audio. The catch is that if you want to see what the camera picked up, you'll need to manually view it like a digital camera, or take out the SD card for a more lengthy inspection. Still, as a weatherproof set-and-forget option, trail cams have their place. Read more: Top Home Security Tips When You're Renting with Roommates Get a more complete look at your options with our guides to the top DIY home security systems, wireless home security, and security systems that can easily move with you if you're frequently on the go.
