The original Blink Home Security Camera system from 2016 offered free cloud storage, but was criticized for its lack of integrations and inability to deliver on-demand video and two-way audio. The company is now owned by Amazon, and its new Blink Outdoor is a weatherproof camera that is again priced low, but this time offers 1080p video and works with Alexa voice commands and IFTTT applets. Cloud storage requires a subscription, but you can store video locally, watch video on demand, and use two-way audio to talk to visitors. It’s a solid offering, but our favorite, the Wyze Cam Outdoor, costs half as much and offers more features.
The Blink Outdoor system consists of a small 2.7 x 2.7 x 1.2-inch camera (HWD) and an even smaller 0.7 x 2.3 x 2.5-inch sync module (hub) that connects to your home Wi-Fi network. The camera is black, IP65 weatherproof, and is powered by two AA batteries that should last up to two years before needing to be replaced. To replace the batteries, all you have to do is loosen the screw on the back of the camera and remove the cover.
The camera offers video motion detection and records 1080p footage at 30 frames per second. It has a 110-degree field of view and uses an infrared LED for black-and-white night videos. It has a speaker and microphone for two-way audio and a temperature sensor. Two status LEDs on the front of the housing indicate whether the camera is active and whether night vision is enabled.
The Echo Show 5 (2nd generation) is the new version of Amazon’s smallest smart display and comes almost two years after the Amazon Echo Show 5. Even though it looks identical to its predecessor, there are some minor updates to the entry-level device that lets you both hear and see Alexa’s responses to your commands.
The camera has been bumped up to 2 MP – double the resolution of its predecessor – which makes video calls look sharper and clearer, and there’s now a Deep Sea Blue color option, alongside Charcoal and Glacier White or Sandstone – depending on which area you’re in.
As with any Amazon Echo device, Alexa is integrated, providing a hands-free way to set timers, shop online, track recipes, get answers to burning questions, and keep up with the latest weather and news. Thanks to the extra screen, you can see the information Alexa gives you and even pull up some additional information. For example, when you ask for the weather forecast, Alexa not only tells you the day’s temperature, but also displays an hour-by-hour breakdown on the screen, along with the wind speed and the temperature you’re feeling.