The WyzeCam 2 is better and smarter than its predecessor, and still only $20

[midian182]

Back in October, Wyze Labs showed that modern security cameras with smart features don’t have to cost between $100 and $200—its product cost a measly $20. Now, version 2 is here, and it packs a slew of improvements. You would probably expect this upgraded model to cost more, but no; the WyzeCam v2 is still just $20.

The original camera boasts 1080p recording with infrared night vision, cloud and microSD storage, automatic recording when it detects movement, live-streaming, and a built-in speaker for 2-way audio with the accompanying app. It can even recognize noises like smoke alarms and send an alert.

All those features remain in the new version, along with an improved CMOS sensor that’s said to produce crisper HD images. The Class-K audio power amplifier and new audio chip, meanwhile, help to reduce electromagnetic interference and improve sound quality.

The new model also adds some AI smarts to the camera. With its new motion tagging technology, movement is color highlighted in live-stream and replay modes, so you no longer have to analyze a screen to find out what set off the motion sensor.

Finally, version 2 replaces the glossy finish of its predecessor with a matt finish to reduce reflections.

Engadget reports that a firmware update in March will allow the WyzeCam v2 to work with IFTTT applets and bring limited Alexa support, letting you watch live feeds on devices such as the Echo Show and Fire TV. Whether these same features will also arrive on the original model is unclear, but the company says it will continue to support and enhance the first Wyze Cam through app and firmware updates.

The Wyzecam v2 is available to pre-order now and is expected to ship by the end of this month.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/73355-wyzecam-2-better-smarter-only-20.html

 

[rontot]

I'm a little concerned about the reviews over at Amazon on the traffic that is sent to China from this camera. I'll pass.

 

[madboyv1]

I'm a little concerned about the reviews over at Amazon on the traffic that is sent to China from this camera. I'll pass.

Eww... yeah. I'd want to keep my traffic in the US...

One review:

"Why are your cameras sending data to non AWS servers? I consistently see UDP traffic (port 10001) heading to Japan, Germany, China + other locations.
IPs below
45.79.98.243, 45.32.19.31, 45.76.82.115, 106.15.0.207, 192.240.123.153, 192.240.110.98"

And another review:

"Not sure about how secure it is. They say they utilize a 3rd party called ThroughTek (offices in china and japan - none in US) to handle the transfer of videos. Wyze Cam claims the content is sent securely to aws. Examining the network traffic from camera shows that content is routed thru many providers including AWS, Linode (US) Vultr/Choopa (europe) and Aliyum/Alibaba (china). They seem to also utilize NTP server in Russia. To get more details.. search on web for "WyzeCam sending data to servers other than AWS" and you will find a Reddit article. How does Wyze ensure that ThroughTek is not eavesdropping?"

 

[mbrowne5061]

Yeah, I find it hard to believe that the BoM is less than $20, never mind significantly less than that in order to turn a profit after R&D, shipping, packaging, and marketing. I'm betting there is some information sales going on here.

 

[jukeyjunk]

I've got two of these cameras watching doors, frankly I don't care where its sending data I just appreciate the instant notification of activity on the app... Not to mention the onboard microsd for saving data locally!

 

[imdarkbreeze]

If somebody in China or Japan wants to watch video of my parked vehicles when they are unattended, or my entry to the garage, or my front door, or even my shed, then they must REALLY be bored to death, almost literally. If they find it entertaining or enlightening, more power to them. I could care less in those cases.

I fully understand the concerns though if the product is used in your house where more private matter might be seen or discussed. In that case, it is a concern, and one that should be addressed by the appropriate departments including the FCC and DOD. There is no actual reason why anything should have a need to leave our borders, phyically or virtually.

Since I would only used these for more menial monitoring, I really have little concern over that particular though.

 

[JaredTheDragon]

These people whining about data routing through other countries when everything we do is already routed through the US intel overlords first. Hilarious.

 

[mojorisin23]

I'm a little concerned about the reviews over at Amazon on the traffic that is sent to China from this camera. I'll pass.

I don't get it... almost everything is routed around the world. Facebook sells your **** to the highest bidder. Email accounts on yahoo and MS are hacked religiously. China put a chip into 30 million devices to spy.... so I'm pretty sure passing on this camera isn't doing anything from keeping your info in china.

I once saw an ex cold war spy on TV say if you took in aggregate all the intel he obtained over his whole career, it is a fraction of what millennials VOLUNTARILY put on the internet nowadays...