Why You Can Trust CNET Get an iZon remote room monitor for $64.99
This Wi-Fi-powered Webcam beams live video to your iOS device, thus giving you remote monitoring and security on the cheap.
Wi-Fi Webcams can be really cool, allowing you to stream live video to, say, a laptop or phone without having to run cables all over the place.
But many, if not most, of them are expensive, unattractive gizmos requiring complicated setup and delivering iffy results.
They're getting better, though, and for today at least, more affordable: Ben's Outlet has the Stem Innovation iZon Wi-Fi Webcam for $64.99 shipped. That's half the list price, and definitely the best deal I've seen on this product.
The small, white, cylindrical iZon stands about 4 inches high on its curved, magnetic base. That base makes it easy to position the camera, and can even be hung upside-down. An appreciably lengthy power cord supplies the juice.
The device connects to your home Wi-Fi network, streaming live images to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch by way of the free iZon app. You can also configure it to send push notifications if it detects noise and/or movement, meaning it can serve as a poor man's security camera. A newly added feature allows it to record video and upload it directly to YouTube.
But because it delivers live video, you can keep an eye on, say, the baby's room, the babysitter, an elderly parent who's living on his or her own, an empty house, and so on.
Let me come right out and say that the iZon isn't perfect; look no further than some of the user reviews for proof of that. Recent firmware and app updates (including one that just pushed out yesterday) have improved things quite a bit, but the iZon I have here still produces the occasional app crash. And some of the motion-detection and video-recording features are spotty.
Consequently, I wouldn't recommend paying $129.99 for one of these. But $64.99? If you like the idea of a simple, elegant Webcam that's built expressly for streaming video to your iOS device, that might be worth considering.
Bonus deal: Game time! The Humble Indie Bundle folks are at it again, offering five slick indie games for whatever price you care to pay. (You'll have to pay a minimum of $1 if you want your downloads via Steam, otherwise you can steal them for as little as a penny.) If you pony up at least $5.74, you'll get a sixth game. A portion of your purchase goes to charity.
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