Android Magazine Issue 54 - 2015 UK.pdf

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Build your own security camera
system using Android devices
and the Alfred app
Ifyouwanttokeepaneyeonthingsathome
whileyou’reatwork,there’safarcheaperand
easier alternative to setting up dedicated security
cameras. The Alfred app links two Android devices
– one that is acting as the camera, the other which
isactingasaviewer–viaaGoogleaccount.This
meansthatyoucanseetheliveviewfromthe
camera on the other device. The app is completely
free (although it is ad-supported) and it’s an ideal
way to repurpose an old phone you no longer use.
The real beauty is that you can add as many
cameras (and viewers) as you like, to create a
sophisticated security system tailored to your needs.
Most things can be controlled remotely from the
viewer and you can even conduct a two-way
conversation through the camera device – so you
could use it as a baby monitor. What’s more, a
motion detection option will send you a notification
when triggered and take a series of photos.
viewer
dappontotwodevices.
and the other a camera.
account on both
devices, so they ca connected. Check you can
see the view from the camera on the viewer.
2 Place the camera
Place your camera device to watch an
area. You could put it in a mug to keep it upright, or
go to the trouble of hiding it. Note that the camera
still works when the device is asleep. Make sure
the audio is turned on if you want it.
3 Viewer options
The viewer device has a few options. If the
view is oriented wrongly, tap the rotate icon to
correct it. The LED light and night vision options
can be useful in a darkened room. You can set
night vision to Automatic in the camera settings.
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4
Look both ways
Tapping the camera arrows icon switches
between front and rear cameras, so you could use
one device to cover two areas. Holding the mic
button lets you talk through the remote device, to
speak to a delivery man or deter an intruder.
5 Use motion detection
Motion detection can be activated on the
camera or viewer and there are three sensitivity
settings. When triggered, it takes photos and
sends a notification to the viewer device. Events
and photos are stored for seven or 14 days.
6 Add extra cameras
You can add more devices (including iOS
ones) to set up a more elaborate system. Tap the
cog icon for a camera in the main menu to rename
it. You can also set up a ‘trust circle’, to share the
camera’s feed with another Google address.