Month: May 2019

PR: Introducing All-New Blink XT2—The Next-Gen Outdoor/Indoor Smart Security Camera with Extended Battery Life and Enhanced Motion Detection for 25 Percent Less Than Blink XT

CompuScoop Staff May 8, 2019 0

Features two-year battery life on two AA lithium batteries with a combination of two-way talk, live view, and motion recording—double the usage of the XT when exclusively recording video

Enhanced motion detection allows you to precisely customize motion detection and reduce false alerts

Works with Alexa—view your Blink XT2’s livestream anytime through your Echo Spot, Echo Show, and Fire TV

The all-new Blink XT2 starts at just $89.99—25 percent less than the original Blink XT—with free cloud storage and no monthly fees required and is available for pre-order today

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 8, 2019-- (NASDAQ: AMZN)—Amazon today introduced the all-new Blink XT2, the next-generation outdoor/indoor, battery-powered, 1080p HD video smart security camera now with two-way talk. Plus, with Blink’s exclusive new chip technology, Blink XT2 features extended battery life and enhanced motion detection—all for 25 percent less than the original Blink XT. Blink XT2 starts at just $89.99 with free cloud storage and no monthly fees required and is available for pre-order today. Customers can also bundle the Blink XT2 with a Blink Sync Module for $99.99. Both options will be available to customers in the U.S. on May 22, and in Canada later this summer.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190508005484/en/

Blink XT2 (Photo: Business Wire)

Blink XT2 (Photo: Business Wire)

Blink XT2 is the first device to feature Blink’s exclusive new chip technology, making it even more efficient. It features extended battery life, offering two years of battery life with just two AA lithium batteries. When used exclusively for motion-activated recording or Live View, Blink XT2 provides double the usage of the original Blink XT on a single set of batteries. Or customers can use two-way talk and still get the same two-year battery life. It also comes with enhanced motion detection, including micro-activity zones to more precisely customize motion detection and reduce false motion alerts, so you are alerted only of the movement that matters. Plus, Blink XT2 is wire-free, making it easy to install indoors or out for complete coverage and peace of mind.

“We listened to our customers and delivered a product that not only improves existing standout features such as two-year battery life, but also adds new features like two-way talk and enhanced motion detection to further improve the product experience,” said Peter Besen, GM of Blink. “Starting at $89.99, the all-new Blink XT2 provides an affordable and high-performing option for customers seeking whole-home security and peace of mind.”

Two-way talk provides added security by allowing you to have conversations with whomever is at your home. Simply use the microphone talk button in the Blink app to greet guests or scare off bad actors no matter where you are. Blink XT2 will also store your clips for free on the cloud, so you can review or share whenever you want. Additionally, you can use the live view recording feature to capture and save any live streaming events you wish to review or share later. Blink XT2 also works with Alexa for added convenience. Just say, “Alexa, show me the [camera name] to view your livestream on your Echo Spot, Echo Show, or Fire TV.

Pricing and Availability

The all-new Blink XT2 starts at just $89.99 or $119.99 CAD with free cloud storage and no contracts or monthly fees required. A Blink Sync Module is required to use Blink XT2. Customers without a Blink Sync Module can choose to purchase a Blink XT2 one-cam system with a Sync Module for $99.99 or $129.99 CAD, a two-cam system for $179.99 or $239.99 CAD, or a three-cam system for $249.99 or $329.99 CAD. All options are available for pre-order today at www.amazon.com/dp/BO7MMZ2LTB and www.amazon.ca/dp/B07M5HX8Q8. Devices will be available to U.S. customers on May 22, with availability for customers in Canada coming later this summer. Blink XT2 will also be available for purchase at Best Buy stores and on BestBuy.com in the U.S. and Canada.

About Amazon

Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.

Source: Amazon.com News

This PayPal Scam lead an iPad Thief right to his front door

CompuScoop Staff May 8, 2019 0

An elaborate PayPal scam recently led an iPad thief directly to Steven Sanderson’s front door. The brazen predator came disguised as a friendly eBay customer willing to purchase the digital device from Sanderson for $650. And it was weeks before the fraudulent nature of this transaction became clear.

Now Sanderson’s iPad is gone and so is the money he made by “selling” it. He blames PayPal for this fiasco and wants our help getting his $650 back. But who really is responsible here?

Sanderson’s troubling story has many lessons for anyone who buys or sells items on eBay using PayPal. PayPal has a variety of built-in protections to ensure safe transactions for buyers and sellers. However, it’s critical to follow all the fraud deterrent guidelines that the company has outlined. If you don’t, you might find yourself on the outside of the PayPal safety net.

To read the rest of the article, click here.

Leonard Nimoy’s Widow Susan Bay details how the Star Trek Star asked his nurses to help him end his life

CompuScoop Staff May 8, 2019 1

Four years ago, at the age of 83, the actor that played Spock on Star Trek, Leonard Nimoy, died after a battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

His widow Susan Bay recently detailed that the actor asked nurses to help him end his life on the day he died on February 27, 2015.

In an interview with Inside Edition, Susan Bay recalled that Nimoy’s battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was “terrible.” She added, “You cannot catch your breath. He couldn’t go out. For him to go from the parking lot to the movie theater, forget it.”

The disease was the result of Nimoy’s smoking habit, which he quit thirty years before his death. In fact, Nimoy had campaigned to encourage people to quit smoking and actively discouraged young people to light up.” Bay explains, “He was on a campaign to use his profile and make people think twice about lighting up.”

During the interview, Bay would go into detail about Nimoy’s last day. When asked by Inside Edition’s Jim Moret, “Did he say to you, ‘It’s time?'” Bay responded, “Yes.” She elaborated, “He didn’t want to be confined to a wheelchair and unable to breathe.”

She goes on to detail how Nimoy asked his nurses for help, “They keep adding a little bit more morphine over the period.” She adds, “He was in such a compromised and weakened condition that it did not take long.”

To read the rest of the article, click here.

Press Release: Google introduces “Google Nest”

CompuScoop Staff May 7, 2019 2

Families around the world have embraced smart devices designed to make their homes more helpful. But the smart home – where products are meant to work together seamlessly to create helpful whole home experiences – is still too complex.

We believe all our connected home devices and services should work in a way that makes experiences more helpful, simple, and secure. Today, Nest and Google Home are joining together under one brand to make that happen, and to give you even more help at home. Introducing Google Nest.

Our products work beautifully together to help you stay informed, feel more comfortable and safe, keep an eye on home when you’re away, and be more connected to friends and family. Today, we’re taking our first steps on a journey to create a more helpful home.

One secure Google Account. Later this summer, you’ll have the option to migrate your Nest Account to a Google Account. Along with a more seamless sign-in experience across Nest and Google products, you’ll get access to all the tools and automatic security protections that come with a Google Account.

One developer platform. We want to provide a one-stop shop for both our developers and our customers to build a more helpful home. To accomplish this goal, we’re delivering a single experience through the Works with Google Assistant program. From the Home app, you can manage all your connected home devices from Nest and our smart home partners. You’ll be able to set up multi-device automated actions, such as morning or bedtime routines, through Assistant Routines.

One set of privacy commitments. As Nest redefines technology in the home, there’s an opportunity to explain clearly and simply how our connected home devices and services work, and how we will respect your privacy. Learn more about Google’s commitment to privacy in the home.

There’s no need to take any action right now. We’ll notify you when your Nest Account is ready for migration this summer.

Thank you for allowing us to be a guest in your home. We appreciate the trust you’ve placed in us – and we’re committed to keeping it.

To learn more, read our blog post or visit our What’s Happening FAQ page.

The Google Nest team