Amazon has quietly launched a home security service, offering consumers a bundle of connected home products and services including consultation and installation.
Amazon has quietly launched a home security service, offering consumers a bundle of connected home products and services including consultation and installation.
The new offering is under Amazon Smart Home Services, a home gadgets consulting and installation service introduced last July, similar to Best Buy’s Geek Squad service.
What’s different is that Amazon provides five packages for various consumer needs for connected homes. It doesn’t charge monthly subscription fees, but a one-time flat fee covering hardware products and two home visits.
Amazon will first send an expert to consult homeowners on their connected home needs. After the package is decided and the products have arrived, he or she will visit again to install the hardware and show homeowners how to use it.
Two packages target outdoor use. The Outdoor Base, which costs US$240, includes a battery-powered motion-detecting exterior light, a two-bulb Philips Hue kit, and motion-detecting exterior solar lights.
The Outdoor Plus, for US$490, includes products in the Outdoor Base plus a Ring Video Doorbell.
As for the Indoor Base bundle, homeowners can get a smart siren, motion/door/window sensor, a 1080p security camera and a Wink smart home hub for US$490.
The Smart and Smartest packages, which cost US$575 and US$840 respectively, provide the most complete services. The former includes a siren, motion/contact sensors and a video doorbell, and the latter has everything plus safety sensors, a security camera and outdoor lighting.
All five packages include an Echo Dot to enable voice command using Amazon Alexa.
The new offerings put Amazon on a similar position as home security providers like Vivint and ADT. The difference is that Amazon doesn’t provide remote monitoring and there is no monthly service fees.
Amazon has aggressively expanded its smart home portfolio recently. It bought video doorbell maker Ring and security camera company Blink.
With these service bundles, Amazon is expected to bring all its smart home products and Alexa ecosystems directly to its customers. Since the e-commerce giant owns the Whole Foods supermarket, Amazon might soon sell the service bundles and consulting services right in the stores.