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T R E N D S
Gadgets for safety, security By Connie Sutton
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emember that old saying, safe as houses? People expect to feel safe in their homes, and they want to know their homes are secure while they’re away. This desire, combined with the growth of technology is supercharging the home security industry. In today’s high-tech world, keeping your home fully protected at all times is easier and more cost effective than ever before. There are a lot of gadgets to choose from, ranging from smart doorbells and smart locks to motion detectors and more. Here are a few of the most popular gadgets currently on the market.
notify users of suspicious activity, such as carbon monoxide or other air pollutants like smoke, via call or text. For a starting price of $175 Canary offers users peace of mind.
Ring
Ninja Block Home Security
Starting at $110 the Ring home security system is one of the most affordable systems around. With its simple DIY-installation, and plans starting as low as $10 a month, there’s never been a more cost effective home security gadget. The Ring alarm system integrates seamlessly with Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant and smart home ecosystem for a more complete home automation option.
Canary Home Security System Much like the coal miners of yesteryear, you can rely on a Canary to alert you to air quality dangers as well as intruders. In addition to an HD camera and a microphone, it features temperature, humidity and air quality sensors. Place the device in a central location, and it will
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Cove Home Security System Starting at $185, the Cove is a customizable DIY smart home security solution. This system comes with a generous 7-inch touchscreen hub that provides 24 hour cellular connection to your installed sensors as well as a monitoring center. Cove installs in minutes, and includes flexible pricing plans and other components that are competitively priced.
Even a real ninja would be hard pressed to get around the Ninja Block. This compact, customizable device allows you to sync with a variety of sensors and actuators to monitor and control things directly from your cellphone. From open window and door notifications to temperature and humidity alerts, Ninja Block keeps your home safe in the palm of your hand. Starter packages begin at $200.
Abode iota All-In-One Security Kit For a starting price of $299, the Abode iota is an easy-to-install, all-in-one security system. This petite device is loaded with features including a 1080-pixel camera, a motion sensor, multiple wireless radios, a built-in siren and support
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for many third-party devices and platforms.
SimpliSafe Home Security System If you want to secure and monitor your home from afar without spending a bundle or signing a long-term contract, there’s a lot to like about the SimpliSafe Home Security System. For a starting price of $299, this versatile DIY security solution keeps your home safe from both intruders and environmental threats like fires and floods. It’s a seamless system that secures your home with flexibility, letting you monitor everything remotely with or without an affordable monthly plan.
Rovio Home Sentry For around $315, Rovio has done for home security what Roomba did for housework. If a manned security patrol is out of your budget, why not opt for a roving security gizmo like Rovio? This little robot makes the rounds and when motion is detected, and its Wi-Fi-enabled video camera starts recording. Rovio’s video feed is sent straight to your smartphone for instant access. As you can see, gone are the days of blaring door alarms. Today’s home security gadgets are discreet, require little to no installation and can be controlled from the palm of your hand via smartphone. Best of all, most of them don’t require subscriptions or contracts. If home security is top of mind, consider inviting one of these smart devices into your abode.
