Walmart’s Onn Cameras: Google-Powered Security for Just $23
▼ Summary
– Walmart launched two new Onn brand smart cameras on October 1st: a $22.96 indoor camera and a $49.86 video doorbell.
– Both cameras are designed to work with the Google Home app for setup, live streaming, and recorded video storage.
– Video storage plans start at $10 per month for 30 days of event history or $20 for 60 days with 24/7 recording, but include 3 hours of free event history.
– The cameras offer smart alerts for people, pets, and packages and will support Google’s Gemini AI features with a Google Home Premium subscription.
– Google is partnering with Walmart as its first manufacturer to expand Gemini-powered features to more hardware brands and price points.
Walmart has expanded its Onn brand with two new security devices: an indoor camera and a video doorbell, both engineered for seamless integration with Google Home. These competitively priced products offer consumers an affordable entry point into a smart home ecosystem powered by Google’s technology, including the latest Gemini features. The indoor camera is available for just $22.96, while the video doorbell retails for $49.86, positioning them as some of the most budget-friendly options in their categories.
Both devices rely on the Google Home app for initial setup and for viewing live or recorded footage. For extended video storage, users can subscribe to Google Home Premium, which starts at $10 monthly for 30 days of event history and intelligent alerts. A $20 per month plan increases event history to 60 days and adds continuous 24/7 video recording. The cameras do provide smart alerts for detecting people, pets, and packages, and a Walmart representative confirmed they include three hours of free event video history, allowing for basic recording functionality without a subscription.
The hardware specifications are impressive for the price. The indoor camera captures 1080p HDR video at 30 frames per second and includes night vision, two-way talk, digital zoom, and a 130-degree field of view. The wired video doorbell steps it up with 1600 x 1200 HDR resolution, two-way audio, infrared night vision, and a wide 165-degree diagonal field of view. It is designed to work with a home’s existing doorbell chime.
A significant aspect of these products is their compatibility with Google’s new Gemini for Home camera capabilities. With a Google Home Premium subscription, users gain access to advanced features like AI-generated text descriptions of video clips and an AI-powered search function within the app, making it easier to find specific events. This partnership is part of Google’s broader initiative to open its Home platform to third-party manufacturers, aiming to make its smart features available across a wider range of devices and price points. Walmart is the first major retail partner in this expanded program.
For shoppers invested in the Google ecosystem, these Onn devices present a compelling value. The indoor camera’s $23 price tag is notably lower than many competitors, and the doorbell undercuts other popular budget models while offering more sophisticated alert options. The main consideration for potential buyers is the platform lock-in, as these cameras are designed exclusively for use with Google Home.
(Source: The Verge)
