Roku’s new smart home package lets you monitor your home through your TV
Company is updating Roku OS to help support new devices
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Rokucontinuesgrowing its smart home security lineupas it’ll soon launch its brand new $100 Home Monitoring System SE package.
“Developed in partnership with Wyze Labs,” thepackage consistsof two door and window sensors, one motion sensor, a keypad, and a central hub with a built-in siren.Roku told TechCrunchthe sensors can detect human “movement up to 25 feet away with a 120 degree [field of view]”. So your dog can walk right in front of a sensor and nothing will go off. When triggered, the alarms will notify authorities for help,or you can “request emergency assistance” via the Roku app. The latter, however, can only be chosen if you’re a subscriber to theRoku Smart Home Professional Monitoring planwhich is an extra $9.99 per month.
Setup,according to the announcement post, is pretty easy to do as the system “offers guides videos [plus] clear illustrations” to help with installation. You don’t need any special tools or technical know-how to get everything working. This is a package for beginners, after all.
Through either the Roku Smart Home app or the keypad, users can configure how the security system monitors. You can choose to be notified when the “sensors detect a door is opened or closed or an alarm goes off". You’ll also be able toarmor disarm the security system at any time via the app or keypad by selecting one of three modes: Home, Away, or Off.
Self-monitoring
If any of this sounds familiar, that’s because Wyze sells the exact same package as theHome Monitoring Core Starter Kitfor the same exact price on its website. The main difference between the two is you will be able to self-monitor on Roku’s system either through a Roku TV or Roku player.
The catch of the self-monitoring feature is that it won’t be available at launch. Instead, it’ll roll out over the coming weeks. Once the update arrives, your Roku TV will begin displaying on-screen notifications as well as an alarm countdown whenever a “sensor is triggered.” For those who haveRoku Cameras, a live feed can be transmitted directly to the display. Additionally, the company is expanding itsRoku Voice control schemeto work with more hardware like smart lights and bulbs.
Availability
Roku’s Home Monitoring System SE is currently available for pre-orderon the company’s websitein the US only. Shipping date is set for May 24. Since it’s only five devices, you may find the overall package a little lacking especially if you live in a medium-sized house. Roku does sell thesensors and keypads individuallyon its online store so you can buy those to further supplement your security system. Do note the sensors have the same shipping date of May 24 whereas the keypad doesn’t. You can buy one today and you won’t have to wait very long for delivery. If you don’t want to wait until the 24th, you can buy the Home Monitoring System at select Walmart locations beginning May 15.
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An international launch is unknown at this time. We asked Roku if it has plans to expand the Home Monitoring System to other regions and will update this story if we get a response.
Roku’s latest offering is great for beginners, but if you want something more robust be sure to check out TechRadar’s list of thebest home security systems for 2023.
Cesar Cadenas has been writing about the tech industry for several years now specializing in consumer electronics, entertainment devices, Windows, and the gaming industry. But he’s also passionate about smartphones, GPUs, and cybersecurity.
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