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The Logi Circle connected camera is simple, yet limited
Logitech isn't the first company you'd think of when considering potential Nest/Dropcam competitors, but it's aiming to change that with its new Logi Circle connected camera. On top of the usual ability to stream video of your home to mobile apps, the $199 camera stands out with two things: 24 hours worth of free cloud video recording, and a built-in battery for several hours worth of wireless surveillance and video chat. On paper, that puts it a step ahead of Nest, which still doesn't offer any video recording without an additional subscription. After testing out the Logi Circle for a few weeks, I've found it to be relatively easy to use -- but that simplicity also severely limits its capabilities, especially compared to more feature-rich rivals.
Netgear's Nest Cam competitor has seven days of cloud video recording
These days, connected cameras like the Nest Cam (previously known as the Dropcam) aren't exactly special. There are a slew of competitors out there, like Logitech's Circle and Samsung's SmartCam, so the only way to stand out is by offering something others don't. And that's precisely what Netgear is doing its latest connected camera, the Arlo Q, by giving you seven days of cloud video recording for free. Logitech offers 24 hours of free cloud recording, in comparison. And Nest, whose original camera pioneered this whole category, still doesn't have any video recording without a subscription. Beyond that, the Arlo Q delivers what you'd expect: 1080p video recording and two-way audio that's accessible through a mobile app. It'll be available in the US come December for $220, and it'll eventually head to Australia, Canada and Europe.
Kodak intros new connected Easyshare M750 and Playfull Dual Camera, adds instant uploads over WiFi
Fancy taking photos on the fly and then uploading them to your preferred list of social networks? Good thing, then, that Kodak has your best interests at heart. Announced at this year's CES extravaganza, the company's showing off two of its newest connected imaging devices -- the Kodak Playfull Dual Camera and Easyshare M750. The compact Playfull has a 12MP camera capable of full HD 1080p video capture at 60fps, with an accompanying Xenon flash and a port for an external mic. But those specs aren't the camera's real draw -- that'd be it's built-in WiFi ability. Using the Share Button, users can instantly upload photos and video to YouTube, Kodak's own Gallery, as well as Facebook. The company's more traditional looking point-and-shoot refresh, the Easyshare M750, touts a 16MP module, 3-inch capacitive touchscreen, a RETINAR HD 5x zoom lens and a similar capability to share content wirelessly via an available network or through an installable app on iOS, Android and BlackBerry. When it launches later this spring it'll retail for around $170 and come in a smattering of colors, like silver, teal blue and red. As for the Playfull, well, nothing's quite been announced on it yet, but that could all very well change this week. Check out the official pressers after the break.
