Two German companies have built an intercom device for your home or small business office, giving you the ability to see and talk to a visitor to your front door from your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.
Branded “myintercom One,” the device kicks in when a visitor comes to a door and rings the bell. The user will immediately get a device notification when the visitor pushes the button, then choosing whether to answer and to start a video call with him or her. The device also allows the user to open the door. Users can communicate with visitors from anywhere, whether that’s at home, at work, or while on the road.
Using an app, it shows visitor history as well, showing the user the last 20 incidents of people coming to the door, along with a picture, date, and time of the visit. The app runs on WLAN, 3G, and 4G and can also be integrated with other home automation systems.
Produced in Germany, the device comes in four colours and is encased in a water-resistant metal box. It’s equipped with an HDTV camera module, plus an LED lighting circle, a ring button, a microphone, and a speaker. The device’s data and switch signals are encrypted, supporting up to eight mobile devices in English, German, French, or Spanish.
As add-ons, users can also buy a two-wire module to transmit power and data via voice over Internet Protocol, a card reader, or an add-on camera.
The device was created by 1000eyes GmbH, a company specializing in voice over Internet Protocol Web applications and app development, and Telecom Behnke GmbH, which supplies door and elevator call stations for businesses and manufacturing.
In June, the intercom device won “best product” at the Smart-Home Initiative Germany awards.
After a pilot phase in 12 countries, the two companies launched the device worldwide in July. So far, users have been running it in Europe, Australia, and the U.S.
In Canada, door stations are available through the company Web site or resellers , with pricing set at around $2,300 each, including the apps required to run the device.
myintercom One’s video is in German, but it shows how the product works:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upB9lxbDqSk