San Francisco-based Dropcam offers a $150 Internet-connected camera. The camera is controlled from a special app, using which users can see live feeds, zoom and record footage.
It also has a night vision mode, two-way talk back and digital zoom, said a report on tech blog The Information.
"Google's Nest division is plotting a move into the home-security market and has considered acquiring connected camera-maker Dropcam to accelerate the push, according to several people close to Google," the blog reported.
Google in January announced its acquisition of thermostat company Nest for $3.2 billion. "They're already delivering amazing products you can buy right now thermostats that save energy and smoke/CO alarms that can help keep your family safe," Google chief executive Larry Page had said in a press release, adding "We are excited to bring great experiences to more homes in more countries and fulfill their dreams."
The big-ticket buy had continued a move by the California-based Internet titan into consumer electronics hardware, adding smartphone-synched thermostats to its Motorola Mobility smartphones; Nexus mobile devices, Chromecast, and Google Glass eyewear.
The Google move comes as Apple is reportedly preparing to turn the iPad into a universal 'home remote' that could control everything from TVs to washing machines and lights.
Other electronics brands like LG and Samsung also demonstrated similar platforms at CES earlier this year, and TechCrunch points out that this will hurt startups like SmartThings, which already offer similar services, but by standardising all the components in the smarthome, manufacturers like Apple (and LG, and Samsung) will also speed up the adoption of these technologies.
Written with agency inputs
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