Arlo's "Essential" range is its affordable, every day range of cameras, as distinct from its Pro series or Ultra series which have even more features for a higher price.
The new Essential Indoor Camera retails for $159 in Australia from all the usual electrical retailers, and it "gives users the power to decide when their camera is monitoring a room and recording."
The link above goes to the US site, where the US price of $99.99 is listed, so please don't be confused by that, as at the time of publication, the Australian site doesn't yet list this new model, but no doubt will soon.
We're told this new camera features "an easy-to-control, automated privacy shield, the camera allows users to automatically activate the privacy shield that covers the camera lens, extending Arlo’s commitment to user privacy by delivering unparalleled peace of mind.
"The versatile Essential Indoor Camera enables users to monitor babies, pets, elderly family members, restaurants, stock rooms and more, with 1080p HD video, a 130-degree diagonal field-of-view, motion and audio detection and full-duplex audio for two-way conversations."
As you'd expect, Arlo says its new camera's "unique automated privacy shield is a reassuring feature designed to ease privacy concerns around having a security camera indoors. When the privacy shield is in the disarm mode, recording, motion and audio detection is disabled and won’t be enabled until the shield is opened by the user via the Arlo app.
"Users can also signal the privacy shield to open automatically and begin recording by starting a live stream or changing the camera to arm mode. This gives users the power to decide when their camera is monitoring a room and recording video/audio, and when it is not."
Brad Little, Arlo VP and APAC MD said: "Arlo holds user privacy in the highest regard and the all-new Essential Indoor Camera further supports that commitment.
“Unlike competitive indoor monitoring solutions, we designed the Essential Indoor Camera with a clearly visible privacy shield, easily differentiating it from the camera face so users can distinguish at a glance when the privacy mode is activated.
"This thoughtful design element provides added peace of mind, so users can quickly identify whether or not the camera is capable of recording,” Little added.
Here's Arlo's official video of the Indoor Camera - the article continues thereafter, please read on!
Arlo's explanation continues, with the company stating that from a video-quality standpoint, it engineered the new Essential Indoor Camera "with image-based motion and sound detection sensors to seamlessly trigger recording when the camera is armed.
"High definition, 1080p video quality with enhanced night vision allows users to capture important details day or night. The camera features a built-in microphone and speaker, complete with advanced, full-duplex audio for clearer, more natural remote conversations.
"A built-in siren provides an added safety measure, which can be triggered automatically or manually from the Arlo app, upon motion or audio detection – allowing users to swiftly and effectively deter an intruder."
The Arlo Essential Indoor Camera was recognised as a 2021 CES Innovation Award Honouree and was also a recipient of a 2021 TWICE Picks Award, so it is already an award-winning product, and offers what we're reminded is "a sleek, premium, unibody design for seamless incorporation anywhere inside a home or business."
Available in white, the indoor camera features "a versatile, integrated swivel mount that enables users to angle and mount the device on walls or place on any surface to capture the desired vantage point."
There's also Arlo’s AI (artificial intelligence) and CV (continuous video recording) service, Arlo Smart, which compliments Arlo's hardware to deliver "total protection."
Arlo ensures users receive "a complimentary three-month Arlo Smart trial included with their Essential Indoor Camera purchase", which of course the company hopes you'll convert into an ongoing paid subscription.
For those who don't know, Arlo Smart also provides an extended 30-day rolling cloud storage of 1080p HD video recordings "for added peace of mind."
It also offers "smarter, customisable notifications enable users to detect people and animals inside the home", and of course, this is all controlled entirely through the Arlo app, letting you easily view live streams and recordings, adjust their camera settings or access cloud recordings.
Features of the Arlo Essential Indoor Camera include:
- Automated Privacy Shield: Ensure your moments are private when needed by closing the automated privacy shield
- Full High Definition Camera: Capture clear details in full high definition with the ability to record video in 1080p
- Motion Detection and Alerts: Alerts sent directly to your phone when motion is detected
- 2-Way Audio: Hear and speak to visitors clearly with superior audio quality
- Night Vision: See at night, even without a light thanks to black and white night vision that turns on automatically once it’s dark
- Built-in Siren: Siren can be triggered automatically or manually from the app
- 130° Viewing Angle: Keep an eye on more of what matters with a wider field-of-view
- Platform Compatibility: Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and IFTTT for easy interaction, automation and control
The Arlo Essential Indoor Camera retails for AUD $159 and is available now, and would make a great addition to an existing Arlo system, or can be used on its own - it's up to you!
More information on the full range of Arlo smart home security products and services is available here.
