There are many homeowners out there that are worried about their home security. Ironically, this anxiety often reaches its peak when they are out of their home. Luckily there is a range of new apps that can help any person or family monitor their home or property from anywhere in the world.
Property crime is a major concern in the United States. There were over 2 million burglaries last year, about one every 15 seconds. Although many people already have ADT coverage, some people are relying more on their smartphones than traditional systems. This has led to a surge of startup companies and security firms to offer apps that help families monitor their home and their property safe from criminals.
One such app is the Viper Connect, an app for the iPhone or Android, that is used to monitor homes and cars. This is a do-it-your-self system that is paired with video cameras and motion sensors that are strategically placed around a home. These can be accessed at any time during the day or night using the app. The device is easy to use thanks to wireless devices such as smartphones and mobile apps.
With Viper Connect homeowners have complete control over the level of security of their home. They can turn off the system remotely, and they are instantly notified of any motion within a home. They can even get real-time video feeds if they are willing to pay a little more money out of pocket.
The app can harness 64 devices which range from cameras, sensors, and sirens, making it a great choice for both low and high income earners. It’s also very affordable. The starter kit includes two sensors and costs a modest $229.99. From there you can purchase additional accessories and devices that can control garage doors, thermostats, and even the lights in your home. The app is free, but you will have to pay $9.99 each month for premium features, such as live video feeds.
iSmart Alarm is another system that allows you to monitor a system with a monthly plan. There is also The Oplink app, which comes with a monthly package that starts at $9.99 a month. The app itself costs $149.
Big names like AT&T are also getting into the mix. They released the security app AT&T Digital Life, available for Android, Window Phone and the iPhone. Its plan starts at $29.99 a month with an additional fee of $149.99 for equipment and installation. Customers can monitor homes and remotely unlock doors as well. This app is special because where most system only notify homeowners, AT&T will call the police.
The technology is constantly improving (livewatch.com has alarm text and email alerts, for example) and many companies are looking for even cheaper alternatives for homeowners to protect their home from break in. What is really interesting about these apps and security systems is that they can prevent break-ins before the event occurs. They also monitor any place in the home, where traditional system only protected areas that were thought to be particularly susceptible to a break in. Experts predict that this market will continue to expand in the coming years.
[Image: Sean MacEntee]
