Roku makes monitoring security cameras a little easier

By Phil Nickinson October 15, 2024

The Roku Smart Home camera webview. — Roku

Roku today announced updates that will bring even tighter integration between the platform’s operating system and smart home features. And in case you’d missed it, Roku got into the smart home game in 2022 as it partnered with Wyze first for cameras, a doorbell, and lights, and later for a full-home security system.

New features being announced today include:

Automatically cycle through camera feeds on your television, using motion detection to intelligently display the correct camera.
Additional notifications on the television when an event is detected. (You’ll need to turn this on in settings.)
You’ll be able to watch all your camera feeds from a website, on a computer, or on your phone or tablet.

Recommended Videos

That’s the good news. The bad news is you’re going to have to wait for the new features for a little while. Roku says they’ll be available via a software update this winter.

The Roku camera carousel as seen on a Roku TV. — The Roku camera carousel will focus on where it sees motion and display on a Roku player or Roku TV, including with notifications. Roku

The slate of devices that will be compatible with these features include all Roku Smart Home camera and doorbells — that comprises the Floodlight Camera, Video Doorbell, Wire-free Video Doorbell and Chime, Indoor 360 Camera, Outdoor Wire-free Camera, and the Indoor and Outdoor Camera SE.

You’ll of course also need a Roku TV or Roku player for any of this to work together. (And that includes the newest model of Roku Ultra, which was just announced this fall.) And while you’ll still need a Roku Smart Home subscription for more detailed things like detecting people, packages, vehicles, pets and the like — and for storing video clips — you won’t need it for the camera carousel and notifications. If you do opt for the subscription, though, it’ll cost $4 a month or $40 a year for up to two cameras, or $10 a month or $100 a year for up to 99 cameras.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Phil spent the 2000s making newspapers with the Pensacola (Fla.) News Journal, the 2010s with Android Central and then the…

Smart Home

Blink Mini 2 vs. Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-In: Which budget security camera is best for you?

The Blink Mini 2 placed on two books.

Blink and Ring are two of the best-known security companies, and they're responsible for many of the best security cameras on the market. The Blink Mini 2 and the Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-In are popular choices for frugal shoppers, as they carry reasonable price tags, yet offer most of the features you'd expect from a well-rounded camera. But if you only need one, which is right for you -- the Blink Mini 2 or the Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-In? Here's a look at both to help you decide.
Pricing and monthly fees

The Blink Mini 2 is one of the most affordable security cameras money can buy. It clocks in at just $40, though Blink often slashes its price to just $30. If you'd like to use the camera outside, you can bundle in the Weather Resistant Adapter for a total of $50. The Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-In is more expensive at $100, though with the launch of the Stick Up Cam Pro, it's typically available for $70.

Smart Home

Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam vs. Wyze Cam Pan v3: Which is the better pan-tilt camera?

The Pan-Tilt mounted on a wall.

An indoor camera capable of panning and tilting is one of the best ways to improve the security of your home. These devices make it easy to capture all corners of a room with a single device, making them a cost-effective way to keep tabs on a property. The Wyze Cam Pan v3 is one of the cheapest options on the market, but Ring has recently launched its own Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam that's quickly become popular with shoppers.

But is the expensive Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam better than the Wyze Cam Pan v3? Or should you save yourself a few bucks and opt for the cheaper security camera? Here's a look at both to help you decide.
Pricing and monthly fees

Smart Home

Arlo Pro 5S vs. Ring Stick Up Cam Pro: Which is the best premium security camera?

The Arlo Pro 5S installed outside on a wall.

Security cameras are available at all budget levels, and it's not hard to find something under $50 that'll do a decent job of protecting your home. But if you're serious about home security, you'll likely want to increase your budget. Doing so will get you a product with better resolution, a wealth of useful features, and weatherproof designs that will work either indoors or out in the elements. And when it comes to premium security cameras, few products are as popular as the Arlo Pro 5S 2K and Ring Stick Up Cam Pro.

Interested in adding one of these high-end cameras to your home? Here's a comprehensive look at the Arlo Pro 5S 2K and Ring Stick Up Cam Pro to help you decide which is best for your needs.
Pricing and monthly fees