This doorbell camera lets a human security guard watch your front door | The Verge
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This doorbell camera lets a human security guard watch your front door
Simpli Safe brings its Active Guard live monitoring to its new video doorbell.
Simpli Safe brings its Active Guard live monitoring to its new video doorbell.
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The new Simpli Safe Video Doorbell Series 2 adds 2K resolution and dual band Wi-Fi.
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DIY home security company Simpli Safe is bringing its AI-powered proactive security feature to the front door. The new Simpli Safe Video Doorbell Series 2 launches today for
When the camera detects suspicious activity — using a combination of on-device AI, cloud-based computer vision, and facial recognition — a Simpli Safe monitoring agent can drop in on the camera to “see, speak to, and attempt to deter potential intruders and package thieves,” according to the company.
The LED light glows blue when the homeowner is viewing the livestream and amber when it’s a live agent.
The Simpli Safe Video Doorbell Series 2 is a wired doorbell with 2K resolution, a 10x zoom, a 150-degree head-to-toe view, two-way audio, and a built-in siren. It has smart alerts for people and packages, up to five seconds of pre-roll video, and supports dual-band Wi-Fi. The doorbell requires a Simpli Safe base station and keypad and works with any monitored Simpli Safe plan. It can also be used with a self-monitored plan with video recording.
Active Guard was launched in 2023 on Simpli Safe’s indoor camera, arrived on outdoor cameras in 2024, and is now available on the company’s newest doorbell camera. The feature is opt in, and the agent can only view live footage when the system is armed and has been triggered. Active Guard requires a Pro or Plus Simpli Safe monitoring plan starting at $49.99 a month. In addition to potentially deterring intruders, Simpli Safe says the system can provide emergency services with more accurate information.
Simpli Safe’s new camera lets live agents watch your property
Simpli Safe’s new outdoor monitoring service combines AI with live agents
“Stop! Who’s there?” Simpli Safe adds a live guard feature to its home security system
The company has published a privacy page detailing how the system works, including that the footage is encrypted (at rest and in transit, not end-to-end) and that it “won’t share camera footage with law enforcement unless required by law.”
Color-coded LED status lights on the doorbell indicate when a monitoring agent (amber) or homeowner (blue) is speaking, and you can create a library of familiar faces so the monitoring agent doesn’t scare the bejeezus out of your dog walker.
Ring offers a similar proactive security feature called Virtual Guard that works with its Ring Alarm system for $99 a month. Having a human be able to see and verify whether there’s any actual danger at your home and potentially act on it has value, especially if you live in an area where false alarms incur fines, but for most people this feels like overkill.
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