Amazon Breaks into Smart Home Security Installation
Looks like Amazon is gearing up to introduce another aspect of its security business.
Amazon has been taking steps into the security industry for quite some time, but I don't think they were taken seriously until they purchased smart doorbell company Ring to take on Google-owned Nest. Now, many tech websites are reporting that Amazon's Smart Home Services section of the website is offering full smart home packages.
The five packages' prices cover in-home visits from experts, the smart home devices you want to install and their installation fee. Based on the information on the portal - Amazon hasn't formally announced the service yet - you'll only have to pay once. It has no monthly service fees, but could that be only for Amazon Prime members that already pay monthly fees for access to things like the Amazon Cloud data storage?
The cheapest package on the offer page is $240 and includes an Echo Dot and an indoor and outdoor lighting system designed to look like you are home. If you are willing to go for the big package at $840, you can get an Echo Dot, a smart siren, motion, door and window sensors, a Ring video doorbell, an Amazon Cloud Cam, a wireless speaker, an air quality monitor, a smart home hub, motion-detecting spotlights an a smart flood and leak sensor.
Tech blogs have noticed that the service has been available since December, but not widely talked about until now. The packages seem like an interesting way to approach smart home security, that is: if you trust Amazon to handle your security.