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Dropcam drops old cameras, gives users new ones for free

All original Dropcam and Dropcam Echo models will stop working on April 15, so the company is handing out shiny new Dropcam HDs to those affected.

Megan Wollerton Former Senior Writer/Editor
2 min read

CNET

If you're still holding on to that original Dropcam or Dropcam Echo, the time has come to say goodbye.

According to Nest's security camera company, upcoming software improvements won't work on the older hardware. As a result, Dropcam has decided to stop supporting all original Dropcam and Dropcam Echo models come April 15.

This may sound like bad news, but Dropcam plans to supplement this loss by giving every interested original Dropcam and Dropcam Echo user a brand new Dropcam HD for free. The Q&A that details this announcement says it's as simple as filling out a form and waiting about three weeks for your replacement model to arrive.

If you are a Cloud Video Recording subscriber -- that's folks who pay either $10 or $30 per month for continuous recording, saved clips, alerts and more -- Feburary 1 will be the last day you're charged for the service, although the features will remain active until April 15; the same goes for yearly subscribers, but you can also expect a pro-rated refund for all unused months.

It certainly seems that Dropcam is doing everything it can to minimize the inconvenience and keep its early adopters happy, but the process could prove trying for some.

Your existing account is supposed to remain the same (all saved clips, for example, will stay put) and you won't have to return your now-defunct camera, but you will have to set up the new hardware, add the Dropcam HD to your account and re-subscribe for any Cloud services. Fortunately, the Dropcam HD has a very forgiving installation.

And, hey, you're getting a better camera out of the deal, one that not only meets Dropcam's standards, but is also ready to absorb any and all future software updates and maybe even integrate further into the Nest and Google ecosystem.