It should come as no surprise to when you hear that Amazon has bought out a startup, Blink, that focuses on smart cameras and doorbells. Amazon has been widening their range for smart home technology ever since the tech became so relevant in today’s society. Some of their products include the exclusive line of Echo devices (Echo Plus, Echo Show, Echo Dot, etc.), Alexa, and the Cloud Cam which actually connects with Alexa.
Amazon has expanded on their smart camera technology by buying the small startup, Blink. Their line of cameras’ big pull to consumers is that they are supposed to last over 2 years with only a pair of AA batteries. No wiring is needed in this case, making the whole process of installation easier than ever. Not to mention that they can come cheaper than even Amazon’s own Cloud Cam, ranging from $99 to $129. This was the startup’s original product released in the beginning of 2016, which is designed for indoor use.
Blink’s outdoor camera launched later on in 2016. This product came equipped with night vision capabilities, a useful tool to have when taking into consideration home invasions and the mystery surrounding the perpetrator. This week, Blink introduced its third product to be released, a doorbell with a built-in camera that also operates on batteries. The company’s plan is to also release a full home security system at some point in the near future.
The technology behind Blink’s innovations isn’t anything groundbreaking, but the company’s acquisition by Amazon shows that there’s more than meets the eye. Amazon recently announced their own delivery service, Key, that’ll allow those delivering the package to walk inside your house to drop it off, instead of the inconvenience of having them have to return for a signature if nobody is home. The service will require cameras (aka the Cloud Cam), but with Blink’s cameras in the lineup too at some point, users will have their choice of product.
While Blink’s brand will remain intact for the time being, with none of their products changing, it’s more than probable that their products will soon be integrated into Amazon’s Key delivery service and smart home technology. Blink’s products are even compatible with Alexa but that’s it for now. Look for that to change as Amazon moves to the later stages of its smart home and delivery service plan.