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It seems like they don't take the physical security of the device into consideration at all. For example, I don't see anything about battery backup, so if I ha

It seems like they don't take the physical security of the device into consideration at all. For example, I don't see anything about battery backup, so if I have above-ground power lines and my would-be intruder cuts mine before breaking in, am I screwed? Supposing I thought ahead and got a UPS, what about the phone or cable line? If I try and connect to it from the outside and can't, can I distinguish between a failure because Comcast is having an outage, and a failure because someone smashed my Canary with a sledgehammer, or stole it? Security companies sell an overpriced product, but they've been at this for a while. Most security systems don't have to be in plain view because they're not also the sensor, so someone would have to find one to disable it, and would probably have to cross through the paths of more than one sensor before doing so. Battery backups in case of power failure are also a standard feature, and GSM backup modules are readily available for dealing with communications failures. And this is without even considering many of the other advantages of standard systems: UL-licensed call centers, modular sensor systems so that you can easily add, e.g., flood sensors, if you're prone to basement flooding, etc. I get that they're going for an easy-to-use product with nice industrial design, but comparing it side-to-side with a real system because it looks like an Apple product and has an app is disingenuous.

derekdahmer 13y ago
If robbers are cutting your power lines before entering your house like a scene out of Panic Room, you have bigger problems. For people who don't have any security system at all because they are too complicated, unfriendly and expensive, this is a great way for them to add a basic level of security and awareness into their home that they didn't have before.
- apendleton 13y ago
  You're right; that was a little movie-plot-threat-esque. Something that might be more realistic: what's to stop someone from waiting until the power goes out to rob me? And yes, I recognize that something is better than nothing. I was motivated to post by two things: firstly, my security system comes with a battery backup, and my sense is that this is a standard feature. I assume if that didn't provide useful additional security, it wouldn't be a standard feature. Secondly, if you're going to have a side-by-side table that lists a bunch of ways your security product is better than the industry-standard product with which it's meant to compete, as they do on their indiegogo (going so far as to call current technology "broken"), you should be honest if it does so by being less secure. They imply an equivalence that isn't justified.
  - ynniv 13y ago
    No it's not. If you live in a detached house your phone line, power, water, cable, etc, is readily accessible from outdoors. I've never robbed a house, but it seems pretty prudent to cut those things with an axe before you enter. Maybe thieves aren't doing that because security systems are commonly battery backed? They would have to be cellular as well. I'm not sure, but your original concern does not seem far fetched.
- lutorm 13y ago
  They don't actually need to cut it. There's usually a master breaker by the meter, so you can just switch it off.
maratd 13y ago
> It seems like they don't take the physical security of the device into consideration at all. Actually they did. Check the comments section on the project site. http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/canary-the-first-smart-home-security-device-for-everyone?c=comments http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/canary-the-first-smart-hom... If power or internet connectivity to the unit is lost, you get an alert.

derekdahmer 13y ago

If robbers are cutting your power lines before entering your house like a scene out of Panic Room, you have bigger problems. For people who don't have any security system at all because they are too complicated, unfriendly and expensive, this is a great way for them to add a basic level of security and awareness into their home that they didn't have before.

apendleton 13y ago
You're right; that was a little movie-plot-threat-esque. Something that might be more realistic: what's to stop someone from waiting until the power goes out to rob me? And yes, I recognize that something is better than nothing. I was motivated to post by two things: firstly, my security system comes with a battery backup, and my sense is that this is a standard feature. I assume if that didn't provide useful additional security, it wouldn't be a standard feature. Secondly, if you're going to have a side-by-side table that lists a bunch of ways your security product is better than the industry-standard product with which it's meant to compete, as they do on their indiegogo (going so far as to call current technology "broken"), you should be honest if it does so by being less secure. They imply an equivalence that isn't justified.
- ynniv 13y ago
  No it's not. If you live in a detached house your phone line, power, water, cable, etc, is readily accessible from outdoors. I've never robbed a house, but it seems pretty prudent to cut those things with an axe before you enter. Maybe thieves aren't doing that because security systems are commonly battery backed? They would have to be cellular as well. I'm not sure, but your original concern does not seem far fetched.
lutorm 13y ago
They don't actually need to cut it. There's usually a master breaker by the meter, so you can just switch it off.

maratd 13y ago

> It seems like they don't take the physical security of the device into consideration at all. Actually they did. Check the comments section on the project site. http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/canary-the-first-smart-home-security-device-for-everyone?c=comments http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/canary-the-first-smart-hom... If power or internet connectivity to the unit is lost, you get an alert.