This home security device is called Canary, an all-in-one home security system that links with your smartphone to keep an eye on things when you’re home or away. It’s called Canary not for the color of the device, but for “canary in a coal mine” – old-time miners would take the birds below with them as early warning about deadly gases. This Canary is a 6-1/2 inch-high cylinder that perches on a table or shelf in your home that features an HD video camera in addition to temperature, humidity, and air quality monitors. It has to plug into power of course, but will connect to your home network with either an Ethernet cable or by Wi-Fi. There are apps for Apple iOS devices as well as Android, and the Canary’s video is even visible on an Apple Watch.
You can put the camera in one of three modes: Armed – motion-activated recording that watches, listens, and emails alerts; Disarmed – motion-activated recording only; or Private – which turns the camera and microphone off. A colored light at the base of the device tells you what mode it’s in. Canary can also be set for auto-mode switching – meaning when you (and your smartphone) are away, it automatically goes into Armed mode, and either Disarmed or Private when you return. Additional family members’ phones can be added to those that would trigger the Armed/Disarmed auto switch.
Canary’s camera is very good and has as wide view, so placing it carefully in a room or entryway lets it – and you – see quite a lot. It sees very well in the dark – maybe this Canary would work in a coal mine – so you don’t have to leave a light on for it.
If you have the Canary app on your smartphone, you can check in to see and hear what it sees and hears while you’re away, and it will notify you of any “event” it is recording. If there’s an intruder, you can set off a screeching alarm and one touch will call the police. It can also call the fire department or for an ambulance. The app keeps a record of environmental readings: temperature, humidity, and air quality – though Canary is not a substitute for a smoke or carbon dioxide detector.
I know this all sounds pretty positive, and I liked Canary, except: no power and your Canary is as dead as the bird in a gassy coal mine. You would need a backup battery, at minimum, or a home generator to keep the device and your Wi-Fi or home network running. Also, Canary’s recordings are not stored locally or on the app; they offer subscription plans from $50 to $300 a year to keep recordings for 2 to 30 days. For free, they’ll store videos for 12 hours.
Canary not only watches your home – or second home – for intruders – you can also use it to keep an eye on pets and people working in your home while you’re out, and in business you can see who enters your unoccupied office, store, or warehouse.
Canary is under $200 at Amazon.com or direct, and there’s a two-Canary kit with a small extra discount. In black, white or silver.
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