CES 2022: Smart doorbell offers face recognition and video analysis
Over in Vegas at CES 2022, Belkin has revealed the Wemo Smart Video Doorbell, the latest smart video doorbell to work with Apple HomeKit Secure Video for a huge range of high-quality features.
The doorbell features a 178-degree field of view, 4MP camera with enhanced night vision and optional zoom clarity to ensure you have a crystal clear view of what’s happening outside your front door.
You can setup and manage the doorbell through the Home app on an iPhone, iPad or Mac, and the video from the bell is analyzed via your HomePod mini, Apple TV or iPad.
This analysis can determine if people, pets or cars are present, and can also use facial recognition to let you know who your visitors are, via tags in your Photos app.
All video recordings are end-to-end encrypted and stored in iCloud with an iCloud+ plan.
Activity zones can also be defined via the Home app, so you’re only detecting motion that’s actually approaching your front door and not being notified every time someone walks up your neighbor’s path.
This integration with HomeKit will lead to a sigh of relief from those of us who are fed up with learning a new app (and cluttering up our home screens) every time we buy a new product, as it means that people won’t have to use the Wemo app to manage the doorbell.
The new Wemo is actually one of only a handful of HomeKit compatible video doorbells, and only the third to be HomeKit Secure Video certified.
The Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell had the honor of being the first HomeKit compatible doorbell when it was announced at CES 2019 but in thee months that passed, the likes of the Yobi Video B3 and the Robin ProLine went live; the latter boasting full HomeKit Secure Video features, as well.
In late 2020, Logitech took the covers off of the Logitech Circle View Doorbell, which is also HSV approved.
Wemo is also releasing new versions of its Smart Plug, Smart Light Switch and Smart Dimmer devices, built with support for Matter over Thread, a system which provides reliable connections and compatibility with any Matter-enabled product.
Guides: What is Matter for the smart home | Thread for smart homes explained
The Wemo Smart Video Doorbell self-installation option is available to order now in the USA and Canada, costing $249.99.