September has historically been a difficult month for stock market investors, but major market benchmarks looked poised to gain ground on Tuesday morning. The Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC 0.00%) opened higher by about half a percent, and other stock indexes showed similar gains heading into the regular trading session.

A couple of stocks saw outsize gains entering the new week. Home security specialist ADT (ADT 3.22%) announced a new partnership that could potentially transform its business. Meanwhile, investors in tiny biotech company Iveric Bio (ISEE -1.77%) got some great news that could build lasting momentum for its business. Read on to learn more about both companies and why everyone's talking about them to start the holiday-shortened week.

Shares of ADT opened higher by 14% Tuesday morning. The company's latest smart-home initiative looks like it's paying off.

ADT announced that privately held insurance giant State Farm would make a $1.2 billion equity investment in the home security specialist. That will result in State Farm owning about 15% of ADT's stock.

As part of the arrangement, ADT will partner with State Farm and expand on its existing relationship with Alphabet's Google to keep developing next-generation security and smart-home technology in an effort to mitigate risks.

Under the terms of the deal, State Farm will commit as much as $300 million in funding for new products and technology, as well as customer acquisition and marketing costs. Google will chip in another $150 million, doubling its previous commitment and also looking to capitalize on the opportunities in smart-home technology.

The collaboration is an interesting mix of technology, finance, and consumer services and shows some of the ways in which companies in seemingly different areas can work together for their common good.

Elsewhere, shares of Iveric Bio jumped 37% in early trading Tuesday. The small biopharmaceutical company announced positive results in a clinical trial of a key candidatetreatment under development.

New Jersey-based Iveric said that its second phase 3 trial of its Zimura C5 inhibitor met its primary endpoint in treating geographic atrophy, which is related to age-related macular degeneration in the eye. The treatment showed a statistically significant reduction in the rate of progression of the disease at the 12-month point, confirming an earlier trial's similarly favorable results.

Based on the positive trial data, Iveric now expects to submit a New Drug Application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration during the first quarter of 2023. Company leaders are optimistic about its prospects, touting its efficacy in slowing disease progression without many of the ocular adverse events that have plagued patients in this area.

Iveric's stock has seen considerable volatility in the past couple of years, as news about its treatment pipeline has vied against changing views among investors about high-growth, high-risk biopharmaceutical stocks more broadly. If Iveric's drug application with the FDA proves successful, however, it will mark an important milestone in the company's history and could be the beginning of a success story for shareholders.

Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fools board of directors. Dan Caplinger has positions in Alphabet (A shares). The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet (A shares) and Alphabet (C shares). The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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The 2 Stocks Everyone's Talking About Tuesday - The Motley Fool

Smartphones are constantly evolving to the point where they are no longer useful or relevant. The only problem is that you can not just throw away your old smartphone. Instead, you have to figure out how to reuse them, so they help your business and the environment.

In this article, we will talk about how to reuse an old smartphone and turn it into a useful device.

Many people have two or more smartphones. And often, the old one just sits around collecting dust. If you have an unused smartphone, be it an iPhone or an Android phone, there are many cool things you can do with old phones that will make them useful again.

One of the best ways to upcycle your old smartphone (yes, thats a legit term) is to turn it into a surveillance camera. To do this, you can download an app likeAlfred Home Security Camera, Wyze (Android, iOS) or AtHome Camera.

With these apps, you can use your old phone as a webcam or a baby monitor. You can also set up motion detection to record when something moves in front of the camera.

Lets see how you can turn your old phone into a security camera with Alfred.

Thats it! Now you can use your old phone as a security camera. Just mount your old smartphone somewhere high up in the room, so it has a good view of the whole room.

You can also buy a wide-angle lens for phone camerato get an even better view.

If you love music, you can use your old phone as a music-only player. Just load your phone with all your favorite songs and plug it into a good pair of speakers.

You can also use apps likeSpotify, Pandora, or YouTube Music to stream music from the Internet.

And if you want to save some money, you can use your old phone as a jukebox. Just plug it into a TV or a projector and control the music playback with your phone.

You can also use your old phone as a remote control. Just download an app like Unified Remote, Universal TV Remote, or Galaxy Universal Remote. These apps use built-in infrared sensors to turn your phone into a remote control.

With these apps, you can control various things like your computer, TV, media player, and more.

You can also use your old phone as a remote for your smart home devices. Just download the app for your smart home devices and control them with your phone.

For example, you can use the Amazon Alexa appto control your Amazon Echo devices.

Most smartphones these days are equipped with GPS. And you can use this feature to your advantage. Just install a GPS tracking app like Life360, My Family GPS Tracker, orGlympseon your old phone.

With these apps, you can track the location of your kids, family members, or even your pets.

Similarly, you can use your old smartphone as a navigator in your car. Just download a navigation app likeWazeorGoogle Mapsand use your phone as a GPS tracker.

You can use your old phone as a dashcam if youre a driver. Just download a dashcam app like DailyRoads Voyager, AutoGuard BlackBox, or Droid Dashcam.

With these apps, you can record your drive and even save video footage.

You can also use your old phone as a baby monitor in the car. Just download a baby monitor app like Baby Monitor 3G, Dormi, or Cloud Baby Monitor.

These apps use your phones camera to monitor your baby in the car.

If youre a gamer, you can use your old cell phone as a portable gaming device. Just install some games on your phone and connect it to a TV or projector. And enjoy gaming on a big screen!

Although youll need a high-end device for most games, some games run smoothly on lower-end devices. For example, you can play games like Asphalt 8,Temple Run 2, orFruit Ninjaon most old smartphones.

You can also use your old phone as an emulator for PC games. Just download an app like Gamepad Keyboard, Octopus, or Droid4Xand use your phone as a game emulator.

If you have lots of movies and TV shows stored on your computer, you can use your old phone as a media server. Just download an app like Plexor Kodiand use your phone to stream media from your computer to your TV.

You can also use apps like Embyor PlayOnto stream media from the Internet.

And if you want to save some money, you can use your old phone as a DVR. Just connect your phone to a TV or projector and use an app like Channels DVR, or TiVo, to record live TV.

If you have a Google Cardboard, you can use your old phone as a VR headset. Just download a VR app like Google Earth VRor Cardboard Camera, and use your phone to experience virtual reality. You can easily buy dedicatedVR goggles for $20-30 on Amazon.

You can also use your old phone as a 3D viewer. Just download a 3D viewing app like VRSEorwithinand use your phone to view 3D content.

You can also use your old phone as a 360-degree camera. Just download a 360-degree camera app likeGoogle Street VieworPanorama 360 Camera (Android, iOS), and take panoramic photos and videos with your phone.

Another way to use your old phone is to turn it into a Google Home. You dont have to spend $42+ on aGoogle Homewhen you can use your old phone for free.

Just mount the phone on a stand and set up Ok Google Detection. This will allow you to use your phone as a Google Home. You can ask it questions, set alarms, and even play music. To do this, simply open the Google app on your phone and go to Settings > Language > Ok Google Detection. Also, make sure your phone is plugged into a power source.

Related: 50+ Best Google Assistant Commands

Your old smartphone may just be the best thing you can have on your nightstand with a charger. And it can serve different purposes, such as:

If your old smartphone has a microSD card slot or large built-in storage, you can use it as backup storage. Just download a file manager app likeES File Explorer, and use your phone to store all your, then you can use it as backup storage. You can also buy a microSD card and use it to store all your photos, videos, and files.

You can use your old phone as a backup phone if you have a second phone. That way, if your main phone is broken or lost, you still have a working phone.

You can also use your old phone as a spare phone when you travel. You can use your spare phone if your main phone gets broken or lost. Just make sure it is always fully charged and kept in a safe place.

One of the best ways to use your old phone is to use it as a Wi-Fi hotspot. With this, you can connect your other devices to the Internet and use them anywhere. To do this, just go to Settings > Network & internet > Hotspot & tethering. Then, turn on the Mobile hotspot and USB tethering options.

Related: How to Use Android Phone as a Wi-Fi Hotspot

Smartphones come with a great camera, and you can use your old phone as a webcam. Just download a webcam app like DroidCam or IP Webcam, and use your phone to take pictures and videos.

If you dont want to use your old cell phone anymore, you can give it to your children. They can use it to play games, listen to music, and even watch videos. Just make sure you delete all personal data from the phone before you pass it on.

Even better? Please give it to a charity.

There are many ways to use your old smartphone. You can use it as backup storage, a backup phone, a webcam, or even give it to your kids. All of these are great ways to upcycle your old phone. There are many uses for your old phone, so go ahead and get creative. Who knows, you might even find a new use for your old phone that we hadnt thought of. So, whatre you waiting for? Get started today and find new uses for your old smartphone.

An old smartphone can be used for many things. You can use it as a backup storage device, backup phone, webcam, or even give it to your kids. You can also repurpose your old smartphone as a home security camera, a digital photo frame, or a portable media player.

There are many apps that can help you use your old smartphone. Some of the best include:

Applications to turn your smartphone to night clock:

There are some other great options that you can find in the app store.

Yes, you can use your old smartphone as a home security camera. There are many apps that will allow you to do this, such as:

Download and install any one of the above-mentioned apps and follow the instruction to set up your own home security camera.

This depends on the make, model and condition of the phone. In general, an old smartphone is worth less than a new one. However, there are some exceptions. For example, a limited edition or rare feature phone may be worth more than a standard model. Or if you buy a high-end flagship from a few years ago, it's probably still worth quite a bit. It really depends on the phone in question.

When you are ready to sell your old smartphone, you should clean it from all personal data. To do this, you can either reset it to factory settings or use a special wipe program. Factory reset is usually the best option, as it completely erases the phone. However, if you are worried that someone might recover your data, you can use a tool like Dr.Fone - Data Eraser to wipe the phone.

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Agents from Homeland Security Investigations in Tulsa arrested a Broken Arrow man accused of hiding cameras in a cabin and in his own home to record minors.

The affidavit said the case came to light in August when Philip Sprenger and his wife had a birthday party for their teenage daughter and she invited friends to come to Keystone Lake.

The affidavit said after a day of swimming and fun, as the girls were getting ready for bed, they saw a red light coming from what looked like a USB wall charger in the bathroom.

It said the girls took it apart and realized it was a hidden camera. The affidavit said the girls started looking around the cabin and found a second hidden camera inside a motion sensor, also in the bathroom, pointed at the shower.

It said Philip Sprenger had rented the cabin, so the girls turned over the cameras to him, with the SD cards.

It said some of the girls went to the park office to report what happened and when Sprenger handed over the cameras to investigators, they no longer contained the SD cards.

They said Sprenger admitted he'd used lighter fluid to burn them just in case there were images on them and he didn't want the images to get out.

Agents said the investigation led them to serve a search warrant at Sprenger's home where they recovered 20 devices.

They said going through all those devices will take weeks, but so far, they found videos from two cameras hidden inside Sprenger's home, including one in the bathroom.

They said one video showed Sprenger's face as he set up the camera, then showed him showing a video to a teenage girl and offering to pay her for a sex act as she repeatedly said no.

They said another video showed teenage girls undressing to shower and drying off afterward.

The affidavit said they also recovered images of children as young as toddlers being sexually assaulted.

They said Sprenger denied putting the cameras in the cabin and denied he would have any images of child pornography on any of his devices.

Agents said Sprenger told them he has a minister's license, is involved in a church and takes mission trips and is also a handyman.

Investigators said that gives him access to multiple potential victims and makes him a danger to the community.

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Broken Arrow Man Arrested, Accused Of Hiding Cameras To Record Minors - News On 6

Prosecutors revealed in opening statements that months before the killings, the mother refused to sign custody documents, writing they will have to kill me first, which led to the Pike County Massacre, which resulted in the deaths of eight family members after a contentious custody dispute with another family.

George Wagner IV, 30, who is one of many suspects charged in connection with the April 22, 2016, murders of eight members of the Rhoden family in Pike County, Ohio, opened the first trial in the 2016 crimes on Monday.

The tragic killings shocked locals in a remote area of Ohio and sparked one of the biggest criminal investigations in the country, which eventually resulted in the arrest of the Wagners more than two years later.

The Wagners planned the murders for months, according to the special prosecutor Angela Canepa, and targeted some of the victims, but others regrettably were slain because they happened to be there, she said in her opening remarks on Monday.

While George Wagner IV is not thought to have murdered anybody, he is claimed to have taken part in the murders by casting a vote in support of them, according to the prosecution. Four members of the Wagner family are accused of carrying out the killings.

The killings, which were reportedly organized so that his brother Edward Jake Wagner and their mother would be granted exclusive custody of Jakes daughter, who is shared with Hanna Rhoden, have been admitted guilt by both.

Jake Wagner attempted to persuade Hanna, 19, to agree to split custody of their kid, but she refused, and he shot her many times as she slept close to their infant.

I wont sign papers ever,Rhoden wrote in a private Facebook message in 2015, months before the killings. They will have to kill me first.

The trial of Jakes brother, George Wagner IV, began Monday and is expected to last six to eight weeks.

The first trial in the 2016 killings began Monday with George Wagner IV, who is one of suspects accused of killing eight members of the Rhoden family in Pike County on April 22, 2016

George Wagner IV arrived at the courthouse on Monday for opening statements

Hanna Rhoden, 19, was killed as she slept after Jake Wagner tried to convince her to agree to share custody. Jakes brother George Wagner IV is the first person on trial Monday

Four people in the Wagner family have been accused of taking part in the brutal murders.

Defense attorneys for George IV insist that he had nothing to do with the murders, saying he did not shoot or kill anyone on that night in 2016.

His mother, Angela Jo Wagner, and his younger brother, Edward Jake Wagner, pleaded guilty last year to their roles in the killings.

Jake Wagner was convicted of eight counts of murder and 15 other charges including gun specifications, conspiracy, burglary, possession of dangerous ordnance and tampering with evidence.

The father, George Billy Wagner III, is expected to stand trial at a later date. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

Wagner IV has also pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers argued the confessions of his brother and mother last year prove he didnt shoot and kill anyone.

Special Prosecutor Angela Canepa agreed with the defense in a December 2021 hearing that Wagner IV did not kill anyone.

But in the state of Ohio, a person can be sentenced to death for an aggravated murder conviction if they help plan it or cover it up.

Jake himself was handed eight full life sentenced without the option of parole in 2021 after agreeing to a plea deal with no possibility of the death penalty for himself and his family members.

He pleaded guilty to 23 felony charges, including eight of murder, while his mother pleaded guilty to several counts of aggravated burglary, tampering with evidence and other charges.

Both Jake and his mother agreed to testify against the other defendants and are expected to be involved in the upcoming trial.

All of the victims were shot in the head multiple times while they slept with Jake saying he was personally responsible for five of the deaths.

Hannas fatherChristopher Rhoden Sr, 40, mother Dana Rhoden, 37, and brothers Clarence, 20, and Christopher Jr, 16, were also killed in the massacre.

Clarence Rhodens fiance, Hannah Gilley, 20, Christopher Sr.s brother, Kenneth Rhoden, 44, and cousin Gary Rhoden, 38, were also shot dead across four different homes across rural Ohio.

Edward Jake Wagner, (right) previously pleaded guilty to the murder of Hanna Rhoden, with whom he had a daughter with, and seven of her family members. He has been sentenced to eight life terms. His brother, George Wagner IV, is on trial Monday. He has pleaded not guilty

Three children that were at the scene of the slaying were spared, Clarences sons Brentley, 4, and Ruger Lee, six months, and Hannas daughter Kyle who was five days old at the time.

It took investigators six years to get to the bottom of the cold-blooded plot, which was organized to execute anyone who might stand in the way of Jake getting custody of his daughter.

He dated Hanna when she was 13, and got her pregnant at 15, but the relationship ended, and she had a second child with another man.

Jake then began to pressure her about the custody of their daughter, and he had been taking care of Sophia at the time of the murders.

Investigators claim the family bought ammunition, a magazine clip, brass catchers and a bug detector to prepare for the crimes.

It is claimed that they constructed a homemade silencer that was used in the shootings and used counter-surveillance devices on the properties as well as tampering with phones, cameras and parts of a home security system.

Forged documents were found on the computer purporting that Hanna Rhoden had agreed to share custody.

The Wagners took phones from six of the victims, as well as a recording device and trail cameras.

The Wagner family fled to Alaska after the murders. From left to right: Edward Jake Wagner, Angela Wagner and George Wagner IV are pictured outside a supermarket in 2017

Clarence Frankie Rhoden, 20, and hisfiance, Hannah Gilley, 20, were shot dead while sleeping with their child

Christopher Sr is the only victim who was believed to have been awake when they were shot, suffering nine gunshot wounds in his forearm, torso and cheek.

His brother Gary was shot twice in the head and a third time in the face, with an autopsy report saying a muzzle stain was left on his head, suggesting at one point a shot was fired while the gun was pressed against him.

Dana Rhoden was carefully shot four times around her head and a fifth time from under her chin.

She was sharing a trailer with Christopher Jr and Hanna who were both shot in the head multiple times.

Frankie Rhoden and Hannah Gilley were also shot in the head, but their six-month-old child, who was sleeping between the couple, was spared.

Hannah was shot five times in total, with one shot hitting her left eye and Kenneth Rhoden was shot only once, with the bullet entering his right eye.

The Wagner family lived near the scenes of the killings at the time, but moved 4,000 miles away in June 2021 to a home (pictured above) in Kenai, Alaska

In a 911 call following the shootings, a woman sounded out of breath as she frantically told a dispatcher: I think my brother-in-laws dead Theres blood all over the house.

Theres blood all over the house. My brother-in-law is in the bedroom and it looks like someone has beat the hell out of him.

Crime scene investigators were first called to Union Hill Road at 8.21am, when seven of the victims were found shot to death in the head execution style.

The first three homes where bodies were found are located within a couple miles of one another on a sparsely populated stretch of road, while the eighth body a man was found in a house within 30 miles just before 2pm.

The Wagner family moved to Kenai, Alaska, after the killings, with Jake Wagner taking his daughter with them, but returned to Ohio in 2018 when they ran out of money. They were arrested in November of that year.

At the time, the family said they were moving to escape what they claimed was unfair speculation that were responsible for the murders.

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Massacre in Pike County Suspect is escorted by security as they enter court on the first day of the trial. - TDPel Media

You can use this page to submit FOIA requests to most DHS FOIA Components. Please submit all online requests through the Online Portal by registering to create an online profile or by signing in to your existing profile.

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Requesters are not currently able to use this portal for FOIA requests and appeals directed to USCIS, Secret Service, CBP and FLETC. Please see information below on how to submit FOIA requests and appeals to them.Submit a request to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by creating a FIRST account. Submit a request to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on FOIA Online. Submit a request to United States Secret Service (USSS) by accessing theirFOIAWebsite.Submit a request to Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) byaccessing their FOIA Website.

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Purpose: DHS will use this information to locate applicable records and to respond to requests made under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a).

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Disclosure: Furnishing this information is voluntary; however, failure to provide the information requested may delay or prevent DHS from processing your Freedom of Information Act or Privacy Act Request..

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At Native Sun Home Accents Inc we manufacture many products to help you protect your family and your property. To improve your lifestyle and to save you money through energy savings.

Being the manufacturer allows us to adapt to many different circumstances. Whether it is an odd size or a custom design we rarely find a application challenge for which we can't find a practical solution. So if you have a project that could use some special attention, let Native Sun with over thirty years of leadership and experience find a solution that's best for you and your budget.

Located in Surprise, Arizona, Native Sun proudly serves all of Arizona - Phoenix and the Phoenix Metro area.

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Native Sun Home Accents, Inc. - Arizona Security Doors ...

The Ring Alarm Pro is one of the most compelling DIY home security systems I've tested, period. It merges an Eero Wi-Fi 6 mesh router with a DIY security system. You'll pay $250 for the router itself, or $300 for the router plus some additional security sensors, which include door/window sensors, motion detectors, a keypad, a siren and optional professional monitoring subscriptions. Ring also adds a few game-changing perks to the mix, including backup Wi-Fi and local processing and storage.

The result is an affordable system with impressive smarts, lots of flexibility for all kinds of customers and a rock-solid base that will make pretty much anyone happy. Ring even goes out of its way to offer admirable data security and privacy options if, like me, you're worried about the company's spotty track record when it comes to working with police and degrading community privacy.

In short, the Ring Alarm Pro isn't just a game-changing device for Amazon; it's a ground-shaking product for the whole DIY home security market.

If you buy the Ring Alarm Pro system, you'll probably pay $300 to get a router/base device, four door/window sensors, a motion detector, a Z-Wave range extender and a keypad. You can opt for just the base station for $250 -- but then you won't get all the security sensors that make the system work. You can also buy a bigger package for $380 (it adds four more door/window sensors, an extra motion detector and another keypad), or you can buy the individual sensors a la carte, expanding the system beyond these basics to include a wide range of Ring cameras, video doorbells, backup power packs, Eero Wi-Fi range extenders and so on.

In general, the pricing for these devices is middling compared to the competition -- not quite as affordable as Wyze's super-cheap gadgets, but not as pricey as Abode's more expensive ones. Door/window sensors, for instance, cost $20 each and motion detectors cost $30. Ring's prices are close to those ofSimpliSafe, one of the best DIY home security systems on the market, which clocks in at $15 and $30, respectively.

As with other systems, the Ring Alarm Pro is going to have better pricing if you buy one of the packages, then add whatever standalone devices you want on top, rather than buying everything a la carte.

To give an example of one possible setup: I got the $300 Ring Alarm Pro package, along with a $100 Ring Stick Up Cam, a $130 Alarm Pro backup power pack, an $89 Eero 6 Wi-Fi range extender (on sale for $62 when I got it) and a $15 microSD card for local storage. That brought me to a total bill of a little over $600.

A similarly scaled build from SimpliSafe might cost $400, but it's important to understand the broader value Ring offers compared to its competitors. Remember, Ring's $250 base station is also a router, meaning you're going to get a lot of extra functionality that you won't with SimpliSafe's $115 base station. Likewise, you probably wouldn't spend $130 on a backup power pack for other home security systems -- and you wouldn't for the Ring Alarm Pro either, if it didn't enable backup Wi-Fi. Ditto for that Wi-Fi range extender and the microSD card, which don't make sense for other systems, because those systems don't offer the same features.

Ring suggests keeping the keypad wired, though its battery will last for months, depending on usage.

Before I talk about Ring's unique features, the first big question to answer is, "Is it a decent home security system?" The answer is a solid yes.

In my testing, Ring's devices all did exactly what they were supposed to do. They were responsive and reliable, even in slightly odd conditions. For instance, my basement's back door is far from the base station, but I experienced no connection issues with the Z-Wave-powered door/window sensor. In addition, some of my house's doors have unique moulding around the door jambs, which has given some door/window sensors problems in the past -- registering doors as open when they're not.

Ring's entry sensors give a little more latitude than others, so the two pieces can be about an inch apart before registering a door "open." I appreciated that calibration, because it meant no false alarms, but it also wouldn't allow any doors to be even cracked open without sending an alert.

The motion detector, power pack and keypad were similarly reliable, and theRing Stick Up Cam, which we've reviewed separately, performed as expected.

Installation was mostly a breeze, though I did have to check some online guides for activating some of the more advanced features, and performance was consistently great.

Besides the basics, the Ring Alarm Pro introduces a few great new features that many DIY home security systems don't offer: built-in Wi-Fi 6, backup Wi-Fi in case of power outages, Alexa Guard Plus integration and the option for local storage and processing, a feature Ring calls Edge.

A little bit of context: Eero was an early pioneer of mesh networking, and the first company to deliver mesh routers to the masses, popularizing the approach. Amazon scooped up the company in 2019 and quickly put out newer, more affordable Eero systems -- followed by the Eero 6 and Eero Pro 6, which added support for Wi-Fi 6 in 2020.

According to Ring, "The built-in Eero Wi-Fi 6 router functions like a standalone Eero 6 router The only difference is that Ring Alarm Pro does not support Zigbee or Thread at this time."

I wasn't able to run the Ring Alarm Pro through our usual battery of Wi-Fi tests, but I did perform some basic speed tests and monitor for consistency around my house. As you'd expect, the Eero router performed significantly better than the basic gateway installed by my provider, helping deliver high speeds as far as the back office in my basement (which without a mesh system chugs along like dial-up internet from the early aughts).

Using an Eero range extender will give you solid mesh Wi-Fi throughout even large houses.

In our review of the Eero 6 router, we were left disappointed by faulty band-steering throughout our spate of speed tests. Too often, the router would leave us on the slower 2.4GHz band when it should have connected us through the faster 5GHz band. I noticed a similar pattern when testing the connection speeds myself -- though it never affected them enough to make a significant performance difference with any of my usual internet-dependent activities.

Another cool feature the Ring Alarm Pro brings to the table is backup Wi-Fi. The idea is if there's an interruption to your power or your internet connection, Ring provides an internet connection to your Wi-Fi-enabled devices using cellular data. The monthly data limit for backup Wi-Fi is 3GB, so you won't be able to use it constantly -- though Ring does offer extra data at a rate of $3 per gigabyte.

In my testing, the backup Wi-Fi worked quickly, with almost no latency. When I unplugged the Alarm Pro's broadband and power cables to simulate an outage, backup Wi-Fi was up and running in under a minute, and speeds were solid, if a little slower. In the farthest back room in my basement, for instance, the download and upload speeds were 20.7 and 8.03 megabits per second respectively, versus their typical 35 and 8.5Mbps in that same room. Translation: Even in the remotest part of the house, using cellular data, a brief outage probably won't interrupt your work.

Yet another interesting addition to Ring's new home security system is integration with Alexa Guard Plus, which monitors your home while you're away for unusual sounds (like glass breaking, human footsteps and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms sounding). Alexa Guard Plus can also use deterrence measures, like playing the sound of a dog barking if connected devices detect motion outside.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly given Ring's recent history with police partnerships, its Neighbors app and troubling privacy policies, the Alarm Pro offers local processing and video storage. This doesn't solve all of Ring's problems: After all, the company still enables the worst tendencies in both its customers and the police in their communities -- encouraging a culture ofposting footage of public spaces on the Neighbors app (oftenleading to toxic comments sections), andsuspicion among neighbors. Now -- with its optional end-to-end video encryption and Edge's new local processing and storage -- it also enables some of the best security and privacy practices possible with any major brand in the home security market, rivaling Apple's HomeKit Secure Video service.

Setting up Edge took a little bit of searching in device settings -- and a small hiccup that required resetting my Ring Stick Up Cam. But all in all, it was simple enough to do, and within a few short minutes, I had a smart camera with local storage and processing, something that was previously impossible with Ring devices.

I still have problems with Ring's company policies, but those policies don't impact the Ring Alarm Pro too much, because the core system doesn't depend on a camera. What's more, if the Ring Alarm Pro is any indication of the direction Ring is moving when it comes to security and privacy, that's worthy of encouragement.

The back of the Alarm Pro has a slot for a microSD card, along with an extra Ethernet port and a power slot that can connect to backup batteries,which it's designed to rest on top of.

A few hundred dollars for the Ring Alarm Pro is a reasonable price, but many of its smartest features also require a higher-end subscription. Here's how the subscriptions break down:

If you're planning to use the Ring Alarm Pro's best features, it really does require that Protect Pro subscription, which isn't cheap. That said, $200 per year, while definitely pricier than the most affordable DIY systems' services (Wyze is only $50 per year), isn't outrageous at all. SimpliSafe's professional monitoring costs $15 per month, and to use its smart home integrations puts that fee up to $25 per month. Abode's professional monitoring starts at $20 per month.

In short, Ring offers a lot more than the competition for a price that's in the same range.

Nearly five years ago, I wrote a column calling for smart home hubs -- then popular devices in the smart home market -- to be killed, so they could be reincarnated as something more: namely a device that folds together multiple vital components of a modern household. And what's more vital than the internet?

The Ring Alarm Pro, by marrying internet, home security and the smart home (particularly through Alexa and its Guard Plus feature) offers one of the most compelling visions for the future of smart home integration I've seen yet.

It's not a perfect system. Some of the best features aren't super clearly explained, meaning I had to dig through settings to get them working correctly. Likewise, full setup required three different apps: the Ring app, the Eero app and the Alexa app. You'd think, since all three are owned by Amazon, a more unified experience might be possible.

That said, the setup across the three apps was one of the most painless examples of multiapp installations I've seen. What's more, once the system is set up, you'll rarely need to use the Alexa or Eero apps -- and when you do, they're simple enough to navigate.

In the grand scheme of the smart home, these criticisms are little more than quibbles. Ring has delivered a fantastic home security system with genuinely useful features to help with everything from internet and power outages to break-ins and intruder deterrence. You can even store and process video footage locally -- a first for Ring.

Forget the privacy-degrading Ring drone camera and Amazon security robot Astro: the future of home security is the Ring Alarm Pro, and it's here now.

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Ring Alarm Pro review: A giant leap for home security - CNET

Having a home security system may seem like an unnecessary expense and hassle. Installing a system, arming and disarming it, paying for a response company, and dealing with false alarms might come across as an inconvenience. Unfortunately, many people do not see the advantages of having a home security system until they have a negative experience, such as a break-in or home invasion.

However, having a home security system offers multiple benefits. Here are some examples of why you should not hesitate to get one today:

Protecting valuables

San Antonio home security companies like Alamo Smart Home understand that is the primary reason that many people install alarm and CCTV systems. Anyone who has lost possessions from their home in a crime knows the agony of accepting that many cannot be replaced due to sentimental value. They also understand the challenges of dealing with an insurance company after such a stressful experience in a quest to return everything to some semblance of normalcy.

When it comes to protecting your possessions and valuables, prevention is better than cure. Alarm systems act as excellent deterrents and alert local authorities when criminals attempt a break-in. Being proactive and not waiting until after such an experience to install an alarm system reduces your risk of having this experience.

Reduces crime statistics

As mentioned before, an alarm system will ensure that criminals abandon an attempt to enter your home. The ear-piercing sounds the siren emits will send them skedaddling, not wanting to wait for the security company and law enforcement officials to arrive.

However, this is not the only advantage of having an alarm system. Criminals will avoid attempting a break-in if they know you have home security. When most people in your neighborhood have it, would-be burglars will soon move to greener pastures, leading to decreased crime statistics. Home CCTV systems also discourage petty crimes like vandalism.

Insurance benefits

Installing home security devices could lead to a reduction in your homeowners insurance premiums. Most insurers factor security measures in the home into their premium calculations.

Granted, this amount will be consumed by paying fees to the response company. However, it is worthwhile because of the other benefits having a home security system offers. Indeed, some insurers provide their clients with a discounted premium of up to 20% for installing security systems. Speak to your broker and get some quotations from other insurers to see how much you can save.

Child protection

As our children get older, they inevitably spend some time at home alone. This is a source of massive concern to many parents, who want to ensure that their children remain safe and wish to know what their kids get up to when they are not around.

Remote monitoring of CCTV cameras and video doorbells allows parents to see what is happening in their homes even when they are not there. They can also determine if their alarm has been deactivated or do so remotely for their children. Smart door locks even let parents unlock the doors for their children, so they do not need to carry house keys.

Peace of mind

Spending time worrying that something could go wrong at home while you are home or away expends a lot of energy. It also distracts you, meaning that you cannot focus on other tasks or issues that require your attention. The anxiety it induces is exhausting.

You do not need to experience this if you install a home security system. You can rest in the knowledge that help is a moment away. Expect to get a great nights sleep without waking each time you hear the tiniest noise.

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The Top Reasons You Should Not Ignore Installing a Home Security System - Southeast Missourian

The best home security cameras ensure you can keep an eye of you property even when youre not around, and theyre often heavily discounted on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, so you may be considering buying one very soon.

But owning a home security camera is just half the battle, knowing exactly where to install itis crucial. Naturally, you will want to choose a location that gives every camera the best possible view. But it isnt always as simple as that, and sometimes compromises will need to be made.

For example, wireless cameras may seem to have more flexibility, but youll need to make sure theyre easily accessible when their batteries need charging, while some wired cameras need to be connected to existing wiring rather than plugged into a socket.

Want to get your hands on one of the best home security cameras now, rather than reading on to discover the best place to install one is? Then check out these great deals for some of the best on the market right now.

Today's best home security camera deals

First of all, do you own the property or are you renting? We ask this first because renters will likely be unable to install outdoor security cameras without their landlords permission, so make sure you check your tenancy agreement first. If your front door has a peephole, consider the Ring Door View - this video doorbell attaches to the peephole of your front door without the need for any screws. You could also look at installing indoor cameras with a view out of a window.

For property owners, things are simpler. You should begin by installing a camera with a good view of the front door. According to security camera company Reolink, 34% of burglars enter properties through the front door, with 23% opting for a first-floor window, 22% go for the back door, and 9% break-in through the garage, so covering off these areas is crucial.

You also need to consider external factors like lighting. Locate your camera in a position that avoids backlighting and lens flare caused by the sun, reflections, and other nearby light sources. These can cause recordings to be washed out and over-exposed, making them too bright to be of any use. Also make sure the camera is protected from direct sunlight, as this can also overexpose and potentially ruin your security footage.

The camera should be high enough to be out of reach, but still in a position where it can be installed and accessed with a ladder, or via an upstairs window. Position the camera too high, however, and key details like faces and vehicle registration plates might not be clearly visible. On a similar note, check the field of view of the camera you intend to buy. Some are narrower than others, and while a wider view is often preferable, this can distort the image by making objects and the distances between them seem larger than they really are.

Next, check for the strength of your Wi-Fi network. Most of todays smart security cameras connect to the internet using Wi-Fi, and because they transmit large Full HD (sometimes even 4K) video files, a fast and stable connection is crucial. This will be a case of trial-and-error, experimenting with the camera in the desired position, then checking footage is recorded correctly. Ideally, you should try this while using your Wi-Fi for high-bandwidth tasks like 4K video streaming and online gaming at the same time, to make sure the camera remains connected and stable no matter what else is going on.

If Wi-Fi connectivity is a concern, consider home security cameras that work over Ethernet instead. However, this comes with the added complexity of routing cables to your cameras and potentially drilling holes through walls or window frames to get them connected.

Speaking of cables, some cameras are somewhat lacking out of the box. The Nest Cam (battery), which is designed for outdoor and indoor use, comes with a cable that is just 3.3 feet / 1m long and can only be used indoors. If you want to use it outside without removing it from the wall every time it needs charging, youll need to invest in an additional weatherproof cable - Nest offers 16.4 feet / 5m or 33 feet / 10m options.

With these technical issues taken care of, you should now look at the privacy concerns a security camera could raise. Your camera should not have a view of property that does not belong to you.

To further help, smart security cameras can be set to not record certain portions of their view, helping you block out property that doesnt belong to you. It might be worth explaining this to your neighbors and showing them the view your camera records. Lastly on privacy, if you live in an apartment block you should make sure that a doorbell camera doesnt have a direct view into someone elses property; this can be a particular concern in narrow hallways.

Given most burglars enter through the front door, its worthwhile installing an indoor camera with a good view of it. And, unlike exterior cameras that you might want to hide, it could be a good idea to make the indoor camera visible. That way, a burglar breaking in will be greeted with the sight of a camera that has already recorded their crime, potentially causing them to flee before stealing anything.

Indoor cameras are usually powered from a wall outlet instead of a battery, so you will need to route cables up walls to get the best views of doors and windows. Placing a camera on a high shelf and tilting the lens down can help improve the view, but not all indoor cameras can adjust their viewing angle.

Burglars are likely to seek out high-value items. This will vary for each household, but if you keep jewelry in the bedroom, or own a particularly expensive ornament or piece of art, a camera pointed there is a good idea. And remember, with their two-way audio connections these cameras can also be used as a handy way to check in on pets and children while youre away.

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Where is the best place to install my home security cameras? - TechRadar

Smart home company Wyze continues its tradition of making every small to medium-sized home appliance under the sun, announcing a slew of new products this week in honor of its fourth birthday.

The most notable are a new smart wall switch, an interesting take on outdoor lighting, and revamped white smart bulbs that can match the sun throughout the day. But what really caught my eye is a new capability coming to its cameras. Using AI, Wyzes smart security cameras will have the ability to alert a professional monitoring service when they detect a person. Thats one simple and cheap home security system.

Wyze is known for its inexpensive smart home products, but what makes the company stand out is that it doesnt skimp on the smarts to get those low prices. Its advancements in employing artificial intelligence to run your smart home have been consistently impressive, if not always totally successful.

This security feature, coming as part of a new Cam Plus Pro subscription service (no price has been announced yet), adds a lot of value to Wyzes already good value smart home cameras (which start at $36). Essentially, it provides an all-in-one home security solution without needing a hub or a litany of sensors around your home. All you need is a Wyze Cam, which you arm or disarm in the app.

Of course, its a single-point solution, more suited to a small apartment than a large, single-family home. (Wyze also offers a more traditional, sensor-based security system that costs $5 a month for professional monitoring.) But it points to a possible future of smart home security, one that leverages more advanced technologies than the basic Z-Wave or Zigbee sensors most systems have used for decades to keep tabs on our home.

Origin Wireless has another similarly innovative solution; its Hex Home security system uses Wi-Fi sensing to monitor movement in your home. All you need is two or three of its small pucks plugged into outlets around your home to know someone is creeping around.

Wyze hasnt released many details around the Cam Plus Pro service yet. Were still waiting to hear which cameras it will work with, how it will interact with Wyzes security system, how much it will cost, and when it will be available.

Other birthday presents from Wyze include the Wyze Switch, a smart switch that can turn both regular bulbs and Wyze bulbs on and off (but no dimming) and control other Wyze devices, such as door locks. You can set double-press, triple-press, or press-and-hold automations, turning this into a smart home controller as well as a light switch.

As with other smart switches, you can set a vacation mode to make it seem like someone is home and set schedules, timers, and automations in the Wyze app. The switch comes in a three-pack for $33 plus shipping, with single packs coming soon. Wyze says the switch works with Alexa, Google, and Apple voice assistants and is compatible with IFTTT.

A single-button, single pole switch that must be wired into your homes electrical circuit, the Wyze smart switch works on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, requires a neutral wire and can be installed in everything from single gang to four gang setups, but not on 3-way or 4-way circuits.

It works with Wyzes white smart bulbs (something smart switches dont always do well), and the bulbs have been upgraded with temperature and brightness control (from the app). The 800-lumen bulbs have a temperature range of 2700K to 6500K and can go from bright white to mellow yellow.

A new Sun Match feature takes advantage of this range by adjusting the color temperature to match the sunlight throughout the day. They work with Alexa or Google for voice control, and the pre-order price is $32 plus shipping for a four-pack.

Another interesting if not very elegant lighting innovation is the new Wyze Lamp Socket. This $10 device is designed to work with the wired Wyze Cam v3 (indoor or outdoor) to make your outdoor lights smart. The socket comes with a 30-inch USB cable that connects to the Wyze Cam to provide power to the camera, and the cameras motion sensor can be set to turn the light on whenever theres motion.

You can group up to five lamp sockets and set them to come on at dusk and go off at dawn, or on a schedule, alongside the motion activation. The Wyze Lamp Socket works with E26 lights and also comes bundled with a camera for $46 plus shipping.

Paired with the Wyze Cam Plus Pro home monitoring service, a few of these lamp modules connected to cameras around your homes exterior makes a compelling, inexpensive security solution. Im looking forward to testing it out.

Theres also a new $20 Wyze Solar Panel to help keep the battery-powered Wyze Outdoor Cam ($60) charged. It comes with a 13-foot micro-USB cable and a 360-degree mount so you can get the perfect sunny angle, regardless of where your camera is. However, its IP65 rated, which is weather-resistant, not weather-proof.

Finally, Wyze is bringing a much-requested feature to its users, a Camera Web View where live streams and recorded videos from Wyze Cams can be accessed from a web browser. It will require Wyzes Cam Plus subscription.

Pre-orders are open now for all new products on Wyze.com, with the company saying shipping is estimated for November and December.

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Wyze announces new camera features and a new Wyze Smart Switch and Smart Bulb - The Verge