Skip to main content

Home8 simplifies home security with its do-it-yourself starter kits

diy security starter kits 81namfkgkvl
Many people worry about their home security and its ability to protect their valuable possessions when they leave town. But the idea of setting up a home security system involving separate bits and bobs to purchase and install, and making your home even smarter than it already is, can be quite daunting. Home8 recently introduced its Action View kits as an entry-level home automation and security solution that contains everything users would need for basic home security. The Home8 DIY security starter kits give users focused functionality while eliminating the need to purchase expensive add-ons.

The three kits are Door & Window, Garage Control, and Valuable Tracking. All three include high-resolution Wi-Fi cameras to give users in-app real-time video verification, so users can record a security event or simply check in on things at home.

The Valuable Tracking system is designed specifically to keep an eye on valuable possessions as well as hazardous items that require monitoring. It can keep track of specific objects, and you will receive push notifications when the tracked object’s position moves. The 24/7 live video streamed directly to your mobile device will give you full visibility into the activities around the house at all times.

The Garage Control system monitors the entrance that many people use instead of the front door: the garage door. If you frequently spend the day fretting about whether you closed that door when you left home, this system will let you visually verify that you did not accidentally leave it open. The motion detection feature will also send push notifications to your mobile device if a security event is triggered.

The Door & Window system secures your home entrance and, like the above two systems, allows you to monitor home activities from your smartphone, no matter where you are. When the sensor is triggered, you’ll receive alert notifications directly to your mobile device.

Joe Liu, CEO of Home8, explains that the kits fill a void in the home automation and security market. “Many consumers want to get into the home security and home automation markets, but they’re held back by several factors,” he said. “Cost certainly is one. But what’s more, a good percentage don’t want the full level of functionality that these systems provide – at least not right away. But they want the ability to expand the system’s capabilities as their needs evolve. We’ve solved these issues with low-cost systems in security and home automation that provide singular functionality to meet immediate consumer needs, but can be easily upgraded.”

The price for each system is $99 on Amazon.com

Gia Liu
Former Digital Trends Contributor
HomeKit Secure Video: Why it’s great and why you should use it
Customers inspect the new Apple HomePod at an Apple Store on February 9, 2018 in San Francisco, California.

Apple's HomeKit Secure Video is a year or two late to the smart security party, but the company made sure it arrived with plenty of skills, customizations, and algorithmic expertise.

Jumping on the HomeKit bandwagon, HomeKit Secure Video is an Apple-exclusive monitoring suite that you can get access to through an iCloud+ subscription. Offering a range of impressive surveillance features, instant notifications, and geofencing abilities, HomeKit Secure Video checks all the boxes when it comes to safeguarding your home, business, and personal data.

Read more
5 things we’d like to see in the next HomeKit update
Apple HomeKit logo.

Look, we all know that Apple's HomeKit experience isn't as fleshed out as some of the competition, but it's not broken. It just needs some more updates and features, right? Hopefully, with things like Matter and the plethora of news from CES, we may be on the right track to getting a better system.

I'm a complete convert from other smart home systems to solely using HomeKit and HomeKit-branded devices (except my robovac, but more on that later). Here, I want to go over a few features that I'd personally like to see incorporated into the subsequent HomeKit updates. Before I get started, know that HomeKit doesn't get updates in the App Store like other apps. Instead, they are rolled out over time and come with system updates. We will likely get a batch of new features during the next WWDC around June.
More devices, obviously
The first thing that everyone in any smart home system wants is more compatible devices, and that's key for HomeKit more than any other system. Every new smart device that comes out on the market is made with either Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa in mind, especially those with lower price tags. Well, we in the Apple camp like saving money too.

Read more
The best smart home security products at CES 2022
Schlage Encode Plus with home keys phone tap to unlock.

The smart home section of CES is always worth a look to see what fascinating new tech is in the offing. For CES 2022, smart security in particular was showcasing some welcome innovations, including products that will fit perfectly in existing home security solutions from top brands like Arlo, Samsung, and more. Smart security is more competitive than ever, and the latest solution-oriented products are nothing but good news for users interested in making improvements.

Let’s take a look at what security tech we found most promising at CES 2022, and why it’s worth keeping an eye on while we’re waiting for release dates.
Arlo Security System

Read more