A NEW Alexa setting could turn an Amazon Echo Show smart speaker into a security camera device for your home.
The setting is called Home Monitoring and it can turn the Echo’s smart display into a security feature.
Home Monitoring lets you check in on the location of your Echo smart speaker via the camera.
This is useful if you wanted to quickly check what your kids or pets are up to in another room.
It may even help you spot a burglar in a worst case scenario.
If you have the Echo Show 10 you can view the camera feed and pan the room from left to right.
Home Monitoring is also avaliable for the Echo Show 5 and the Echo Show 8.
How to set up Alexa Home Monitoring
Go to your Echo device and swipe down on the smart display to access the main menu.
Then go to Settings and then turn the toggle next to Home Monitoring on.
Tap “Continue” on the next screen and then click “Continue” again to verify your account.
You’ll need to enter your Amazon password before clicking “Done”.
Then click “Done” immediately when you see the “All set” message so the screen doesn’t time out.
Now you can go to the Alexa app and click on “Devices”.
Then scroll and click on “Cameras”.
Tap the device you want to view and then the camera feed should appear on your screen.
Alexa Guard Plus
A more secure Amazon security feature is Alexa Guard Plus.
However, this feature is only avaliable in the US.
Alexa Guard is a feature on the smart speakers that listens for burglar alarms being set off or other signs of forced entry like breaking glass.
It can then alert the home owners via their Alexa app that there might be a break in happening.
Guard Plus even gives you 24/7 access to an Emergency Helpline you can call with just your voice.
It costs $4.99 a month after the free trial and eligible customers can sign up on the Amazon website.
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk