August Doorbell Cam gains motion detection and video recording features

The latest update to the August Home app on iOS brings two new features to the August Doorbell Cam: motion detection and video recording. Adding the new features to Doorbell Cam (review) simply requires updating to the latest version of the iPhone app.

Motion detection is free for all customers and can send you notifications when visitors are near Doorbell Cam even if they don’t ring (like an intruder lurking around). You can adjust the sensitivity of the sensor so you don’t have too many alerts caused by animals or traffic too. In my testing, the motion detection actually plays a sound from the Doorbell Cam speaker too that emulates the sound of traffic (cars honking, an ice cream truck, etc.) to spook the intruder. [Update: This sound has been removed for now, August says.]

Video recording is also new to Doorbell Cam, but this feature will require a paid subscription in the future. For now, all Doorbell Cam customers can take advantage of video recording for free during the public beta period. After the beta period, all current and future Doorbell Cam customers will have 30 days of access to video recording for free before a subscription is required. Timing and pricing are currently unannounced.

Like the August Smart Lock (review), August Doorbell Cam is also set to gain iOS 10 Home app support for HomeKit, although August is currently finalizing support for both (Smart Lock works with everything HomeKit except the new Home app and Doorbell Cam isn’t yet supported but will be).

August has a new support document detailing both new Doorbell Cam features for customers. August Doorbell Cam is available for $199, and the August Home app is free on the App Store.

[Update 11/15: August has officially announced pricing details for video features. New and current customers have access to six months of free service when activating by December 31, 2016. The video service will save 30 days of content for $4.99/month or $49.99/year.]