iOS continues to change modern living for the better by improving upon the connected home promise through various innovative app-enabled accessories from third-parties, like the beautiful and smart Nest thermostat, the intelligent Philips light bulbs and clever locks by the likes of Jawbone and Kwikset, to name just a few.
Canary, “the world’s first smartphone security device for everyone” by a New York-based startup, promises to beef up your home security by bringing motion detection, push alerts, streaming spycam video and other goodies to your iPhone by way of an IndieGoGo crowd-funded project.
The stylish device, reminiscent of Jony Ive’s industrial design work, comes packed with a 720p HD camera, wide angle lens, Wi-Fi connectivity and smart sensors that detect motion, and is easy to set up on your mobile device. I’ve included a promotional video for your viewing pleasure just after the break…
Here it is.
According to the project’s IndieGoGo web page:
Canary is a single device that contains an HD video camera and multiple sensors that track everything from motion, temperature and air quality to vibration, sound, and activity to help keep you, your family and your home safe.
It works in conjunction with an iOS or Android device and alerts you of sudden temperature changes possibly indicating a fire. It also picks up the sound and movement that could mean an intrusion. When you notice an out of ordinary activity at your home, the app lets you text someone to check in, call the police or sound a nasty siren in the hope of scaring the burglar away.
Akin to the intelligent Nest thermostat, Canary gets smarter over time as it learns your home’s rhythms to send you smarter alerts, resulting in fewer false alarms. Users are able to install up to four Canary devices in one location that connect through the app.
Design-wise, the six inches tall and three inches wide appliance looks like something out of Nest’s (or Jony Ive’s) kitchen.
In terms of hardware, the gizmo packs in a 720p camera with night vision and wide angle lens, Wi-Fi connectivity, a high-quality mic, motion detection (passive infrared), a speaker, a powerful siren, a three-axis accelerometer and sensors that measure temperature, humidity and air quality.
They are planning on introducing optional premium service plans (contract-free) after the products ship. These will include a 24-hour call-center backup (it can alert the authorities in case of burglary if you’re unable to respond immediately) and storing events over a longer period of time (by default, Canary logs events on its servers for several weeks).
Available in Matte Black, Classic White and Silver, the $199 device will start shipping in January 2014. The IndieGoGo campaign is seeking to raise $100,000, ending on September 20. Early backers get a $50 discount so head over to the project’s IndieGoGo web page and decide for yourself.