All hail the latest home security system technology: Mobile Applications! Yes, it’s true. Surprising at it may sound, the uber-cool smartphones of today integrate the best electronics used in hi-fi security systems. Users can see the results of excellent sensors and monitoring technology for themselves.
So now we can use a range of handheld devices such as iPhones, Androids, and tablets to ensure the security of our homes and loved ones too. Smartphones are cost effective when compared with dedicated security systems. Moreover, our cell phones work as the best monitoring equipment because they are within hand’s reach all the time.
With improved technology, you can arm and disarm your system from a smartphone with the swipe of a finger. More advanced systems allow you to watch live video of what is happening around your home, turn lights and appliances on and off, and even control your thermostat from the palm of your hand. Mobile apps have revolutionized how you can stay in touch with your home from anywhere.
There are hundreds of apps available for home security which are easy to use, sometimes free, and most importantly, allow us to protect our home and loved ones while we are on the go.
Here is a review of a few home security applications that can help you stay protected. Remember, some of these mobile apps are premium versions. So visit the respective websites to check the pricing details:
Security Camera
Security Camera helps protect your home computer from identity theft and keeps track of everyone who has used the computer. The way Security Camera works is it takes a silent and time-stamped snapshot of everyone who is on your computer, stores one photo on the computer and one photo in DropBox.
That way, if someone breaks into your computer, you can have an image of that intruder. This app also works great for your children’s protection and makes sure they are not using the family computer when they are not supposed to. Itís very simple to setup and easy to use.
Alarm.com
Alarm.com allows users to connect to their already-existing home security system, such as ADT or Guardian, so they can monitor and control their home from their phone. By downloading this app, users get real-time alerts on their phone if there is any movement in their home or security breach from your alarm system.
With Alarm.com, you can manage your energy use, watch video streaming from your video cameras, and interact with your security system — all on your phone. Alarm.com requires a compatible security system and is available for iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry and Windows phones.
Canary Home Security Device
Canary is a small, inexpensive device with sensors for monitoring a home. It contains not only the usual suspects — HD video camera, microphone and motion detector — but also sensors that detect room temperature, air quality and vibrations.
It doesn’t try to guess what’s going on; it simply alerts you when anything changes suddenly. The makers of Canary claim that the gadget “learns your home’s rhythms” and tells you when these are disrupted by anything unusual.
Canary alerts you, of course, on your smart phone, through your home’s Wi-Fi network. You get the alert whether you’re home or on the other side of the world. You can connect as many phones as you like to the Canary by simply downloading an app and entering the password you have set up. You can also set up notifications to alert others quickly from the Canary app or to set off the Canary’s built-in siren.
One advantage of something like Canary is that you can take it with you and monitor whatever home, apartment, hotel room or office you happen to be staying in.
iScentry
iScentry turns your home computers’ web camera into a surveillance system. You simply point your camera towards an area in your home you want to monitor and when there is motion, the app notifies you on your phone. This free app enables you to snap photos from the video stream, and also get live video feed of the selected room.
This mobile app works well with any web camera. I used this app when I was crate-training my dog and was able to watch him from my phone and make sure he didn’t escape the crate when I left home. It also works great to prevent and sensor home invasions.
Presence
Presence is a home security app that puts a new function to old, forgotten smartphones and devices. The app captures video feeds and triggers alarms when motion is detected and can be used on several devices. Presence helps protect you from a false alarm because it automatically sends you a video when motion is detected within the home.
