Formerly | Immedia Semiconductor Inc |
---|---|
Company type | Subsidiary |
Industry | Home security |
Founded | 2009 |
Founders | Peter Besen Don Shulsinger Dan Grunberg Stephen Gordon Doug Chin |
Defunct | April 25, 2024 |
Headquarters | Andover, Massachusetts |
Products | Home security cameras, video doorbells |
Parent | Amazon (2017–present) |
Website | blinkforhome |
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Blink is an American home automation company which produces battery-powered home security cameras. The company was founded in 2009 by Peter Besen, Don Shulsinger, Dan Grunberg, Stephen Gordon, and Doug Chin. The company was initially started as Immedia Semiconductor Inc in 2009, but pivoted into a consumer electronics company. [1] In July 2014, the company had a Kickstarter campaign for their indoor security camera, which raised over US$1 million. [2] Subsequently, Blink later announced an outdoor security camera, [3] home security system, [4] and video doorbell. [5]
Amazon announced in December 2017 that they had acquired the company. [6] Immedia Semiconductor, LLC continues to operate as an independent subsidiary. [7] It is anticipated that Blink's technology will be used for the Amazon Key service.
In December 2019, Amazon rolled out patches in response to research citing vulnerabilities in the Blink XT2 security camera systems found by vulnerability detection firm Tenable. [8]
On 21 April 2024 Amazon announced that it would be closing down Blink Home on 25 April 2024. [9] [10]
The blink video doorbell is a wirelessly connected smart device that allows video and audio to be viewed via another device. It works similarly to the Ring doorbell, including in its ability to connect to Amazon Alexa and offering of a "plus" subscription, which allows greater cloud storage capacity and syncing of multiple devices. [11] [12] [13]
The Blink Dog Camera is a smart device designed to provide pet owners with a method of monitoring their pets when they're not at home. The camera contains high-definition 1080p video and night vision capabilities. [14]
Home automation or domotics is building automation for a home. A home automation system will monitor and/or control home attributes such as lighting, climate, entertainment systems, and appliances. It may also include home security such as access control and alarm systems.
A doorbell is a signaling device typically placed near a door to a building's entrance. When a visitor presses a button, the bell rings inside the building, alerting the occupant to the presence of the visitor. Although the first doorbells were mechanical, activated by pulling a cord connected to a bell, modern doorbells are electric, operated by a pushbutton switch. Modern doorbells often incorporate intercoms and miniature video cameras to increase security.
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Z-Wave is a wireless communications protocol used primarily for residential and commercial building automation. It is a mesh network using low-energy radio waves to communicate from device to device, allowing for wireless control of smart home devices, such as smart lights, security systems, thermostats, sensors, smart door locks, and garage door openers. The Z-Wave brand and technology are owned by Silicon Labs. Over 300 companies involved in this technology are gathered within the Z-Wave Alliance.
OmniVision Technologies Inc. is an American subsidiary of Chinese semiconductor device and mixed-signal integrated circuit design house Will Semiconductor. The company designs and develops digital imaging products for use in mobile phones, laptops, netbooks and webcams, security and surveillance cameras, entertainment, automotive and medical imaging systems. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, OmniVision Technologies has offices in the US, Western Europe and Asia.
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ecobee is a Canadian founded home automation company that makes smart thermostats, temperature and occupancy sensors, smart light switches, smart cameras, and contact sensors. They were acquired by the American company Generac Holdings in 2021.
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HomeKit, also known as Apple Home, is a software framework and communication protocol developed by Apple Inc. that lets users configure, communicate with and control smart-home appliances using Apple devices. It provides users with a way to automatically discover such devices and configure them. By designing rooms, items and actions in HomeKit, users can enable automations in the home through a voice command to Siri or through the Home app. With HomeKit, developers are able to create complex applications in order to manage accessories at a high level.
Amazon Echo, often shortened to Echo, is an American brand of smart speakers developed by Amazon. Echo devices connect to the voice-controlled intelligent personal assistant service Alexa, which will respond when a user says "Alexa". Users may change this wake word to "Amazon", "Echo", "Computer", and other options. The features of the device include voice interaction, music playback, making to-do lists, setting alarms, streaming podcasts, and playing audiobooks, in addition to providing weather, traffic and other real-time information. It can also control several smart devices, acting as a home automation hub.
August, Inc is a San Francisco-based home automation company, focusing on Wi-Fi connected door locks and doorbell cameras. The company was founded in November 2012 by Yves Béhar and Jason Johnson.
SimpliSafe is an American home security company based in Boston, Massachusetts. The company produces and sells self-installed wireless security systems.
A smart doorbell is an internet-connected doorbell that notifies the home owner on his or her device when a visitor arrives at the door. It activates when the visitor presses the button of the doorbell, or alternatively, when the doorbell senses a visitor with its built-in motion sensors. The smart doorbell lets the home owner use a smartphone app to watch and talk with the visitor by using the doorbell's built-in high-definition infrared camera and microphone. They can be either battery operated or wired. Some smart doorbells also allow the user to open the door remotely using a smart lock.
Petcube is a technology company that designs and develops smart devices for pets which combine cameras with treat dispensers and laser pointer toys.
Xiaomi Smart Home Products are products released by third-party manufacturers who have partnered with Xiaomi. These products are managed by Xiaomi Home app.
Wyze Labs, Inc., also known as Wyze, is a U.S. company based in Seattle, Washington, that specializes in smart home products and wireless cameras. Wyze Labs is a small start-up, formed by former Amazon employees.
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Morse Micro is a Sydney-based developer of Wi-Fi HaLow microprocessors; chips that enable high data rates, with long range and low power consumption. Amongst all Wi-Fi HaLow systems on a chip, Morse Micro processors are reported to be the smallest, fastest, longest-range with lowest-power-use.