Known for its wireless cameras, smart video doorbells and, more recently, its DIY security system, Arlo is expanding into the growing market of family tracking and personal safety apps. “Features such as 24/7 live emergency assistance, location sharing, family check-ins, and safety alerts provide on-the-go protection to keep you safe in times of emergency,” said Arlo’s SVP of Products, Tim Johnston, in a press release.
Arlo’s Safe app includes a “Walk with Me” feature that works like a kill switch
Arlo’s Safe app includes a “Walk with Me” feature that allows you to press and hold an on-screen button in the app while walking to your car or to your door if you feel unsafe. If it is no longer pressed, the Arlo security team will attempt to contact you and call the authorities for your location, and your emergency contacts will also be notified.
Arlo also offers a $30 secure button that can activate the emergency button in the app. So instead of fiddling with your smartphone, you can just tap the portable Bluetooth button in your pocket or hang it from your bag, kind of like the Ring panic button, but one you can take with you.
Arlo Safe is entering a market largely dominated by Life360’s popular family protection service, which: reported 42 million active users in this year’s Q2 results. Companies like Apple offer features like Arlo’s family location tracking for free, and the latest iPhone 14 and Apple Watch Series 8 devices include Crash Detection without requiring a subscription. However, Arlo’s service may record audio and video in the event of a crash to help emergency services understand the situation.
Arlo Safe enters different monthly subscription levels: An individual plan for $4.99, families for $9.99, and a Pro plan that includes both Arlo Safe and the company’s home security and camera cloud recording service for $19.99 per month.
The company is also launching a boxed Family Safe bundle for $119.99 that includes two of the Safe buttons and a full-year Arlo Safe family subscription, which would otherwise cost $179.86 after 12 months. The bundle is available at Best Buy stores and will be coming to other retailers “soon”.
Correction October 20, 6:34 PM ET: An earlier version of the article stated that Arlo is owned by Netgear. Arlo was spun off by Netgear in 2018 and is an independent company. We regret the mistake.
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