Arlo Technologies announced today that Arlo Ultra, its new flagship wire-free security camera designed for both indoor and outdoor use, will start global distribution in January 2019.
Arlo had expected the camera would start shipping in late November 2018. However, a quality issue with the battery from a supplier was discovered during the final testing phase. Arlo said the issue has been resolved, but it resulted in a shipment delay. This is necessary as the company regards highly of “quality and reliability,” said Arlo CEO Matthew McRae.
The new camera “represents major advancements in video, audio, software, AI and computer vision capabilities,” said Pat Collins, senior vice president of Arlo products. It is designed as a “complete” solution suitable for both home and business uses. Arlo Ultra may also serve as a communication tool to connect people with their loved ones.
Arlo Ultra will feature 4K ultra HD resolution, color night vision and advanced image processing. Also included is a one-year subscription to Arlo Smart Premier that comes with AI and computer vision technology.
The 4K feature could place Ultra ahead of the competition. Some cameras on the market stream high definition resolution video, but Ultra’s 4K video will provide a resolution four times better than high definition. It will let users zoom in on video clips to uncover detailed evidence, such as license plates, clothing or other telling details in suspicious activity.
Arlo says it will also improve Arlo Ultra’s audio capability. Designed with dual-microphones, Arlo Ultra delivers two-way audio with noise cancellation and also accentuates foreground audio like voices.
Also, Ultra’s panoramic 180-degree diagonal field of view may be useful for home or business monitoring. With the integrated LED light, the camera can illuminate the night to let users see colors under night vision.
Arlo Ultra includes a rechargeable battery and a weather-resistant, magnetic charging cable for indoor and outdoor use. With a fast and easy wire-free setup and weather-resistant design, Arlo Ultra cameras can be installed nearly anywhere. The magnetic mount allows users to mount their camera from ceilings, walls, eaves or place their cameras on tables or counter surfaces.
The device also features a built-in siren that can be automatically triggered by motion, audio detection or manually activated remotely from the Arlo App.
Embedded hub and subscription plans for add-on services
The camera is embedded with Arlo SmartHub, which connects to the router to extend Wi-Fi coverage. It helps to manage data traffic to and from the camera and offers a more secure IoT network. The Arlo SmartHub also features a microSD card for local storage of recorded clips.
Each Arlo Ultra system includes a one-year Arlo Smart Premier subscription. The subscription service uses AI and computer vision technology to deliver customized notifications regarding people, animal, vehicle and other objects. The insight about detected activity, paired with access to emergency services local to the camera’s location, enable Arlo subscribers to take action quickly in urgent situations.
The subscription includes cloud recordings of video clips for up to 30 days. Cloud recording of 4K clips is available as an add-on service, or users can store 4K clips locally at no added cost using the SmartHub microSD card slot.