Panasonic has today launched a new security camera capable of working free from Wi-Fi.
This puts it in prime position to face off against top industry contenders like Dropcam, which are rooted to your router.
Titled Nubo, the fledgling security shooter connects over 4G, although it’s good for 2G and 3G too.
This means you can stick a Nubo pretty much anywhere that receives a good cellular signal.
It’s also a big boon to the Nubo’s outdoor capabilities, as you should be able to place it at the bottom of your garden without fear of losing out to insufficient Wi-Fi range. IP-66 weather resistance further entrenches this as a solid garden gnome replacement.
The Nubo can shoot 1080p video footage through its 140-degree wide-angle lens, and boasts an infrared detector and LED array for low-light video capture.
Any video or image data captured by the device is streamed directly to Panasonic’s dedicated cloud storage servers.
Once secure at Panasonic HQ, the content can then be viewed by users courtesy of their connected iOS or Android device.
Related: Smart Home tech at CES 2015
What’s more, the Nubo boasts two-way communication. This means you can start screaming obscenities at unsuspecting intruders burglarising your home.
The supplied Nubo SIM works with Panasonic’s own virtual network – courtesy of Vodafone – with plans tipped to be around £5-6 monthly. This includes the connectivity and cloud storage.
It’s worth noting that Nubo also has Wi-Fi support and microSD storage functionality, which means you don’t need to shell out for the bonus service charge.
You’ll be able to buy Panasonic’s Nubo in the UK starting in Q4 this year, with a US release pegged for early next year.
Pricing is reportedly $250, which translates to around £160 sterling. That puts it somewhat conveniently opposite the £159 Dropcam Pro.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
