Despite the fact that they’re really just glorified walkie-talkies, baby monitors are surprisingly expensive. If you’ve ever shopped for one, you’re no doubt well aware that even the cheapest ones can run you upwards of $100. But not to worry – if you happen to have an old Android device lying around collecting dust, you can easily transform it into a baby monitor and save some extra dough for diapers and mashed peas.
For a one-time price of just seven bucks, Dormi will take any Android phone or tablet running Gingerbread version 3.2 or greater and put its Internet connectivity and advanced video and audio sensors to good use. Once you’ve got it installed, you just plug the device into the wall and let it run like a regular baby monitor. From there, you can use your primary phone to monitor audio or video at any point, or simply configure the app to send you automatic alerts when your baby wakes up. It constantly senses ambient noise in a given room, so as soon as your little monst..err..bundle of joy.. wakes up and starts crying, you’ll know. As an added bonus, if your old phone still has cellular service for some reason, Dormi will even send you notifications if you miss a call or text.
The concept of using a smartphone as a baby monitor isn’t exactly the most revolutionary idea we’ve ever heard, but what’s awesome about Dormi is the notion that it’s built around – the idea that all the “obsolete” technology sitting in your junk drawer can still be put to good use. Even though your old phone or tablet might be a couple years old, it’s still a palm-sized computer stuffed with advanced sensor tech. As the mobile industry continues to charge forward and develop even more advanced tech, it’s nice to see companies like Dormi figuring out ways to keep our old gear out of landfills.
Outdoor security cameras are not always practical if you live in an apartment or rental. Drilling into an exterior wall may be off-limits, while pointing a regular indoor camera through a window can create another problem once reflections start showing up after dark.
Baseus is trying to solve both issues with the new PrimeSentinel W1, a $69.99 security camera designed specifically to monitor the outdoors through glass. It mounts directly to a window without drilling and uses a 4K Starlight sensor with an F1.0 aperture for full-color monitoring during the day and at night.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.
With AI progressing so fast, it's only a matter of time before we start getting AI companions like the ones we used to see in movies like R2-D2, Wall-E, or Baymax. Now, Singapore-based OKA Technology has unveiled Mori, a cute little AI companion that looks less like a conventional home robot and more like someone turned the Pokémon Foongus into a table lamp.
Mori isn't meant to clean your house or control your smart home, but to serve as what OKA calls a "Nature Companion." It uses subtle movements, warm lighting, nature-inspired sounds, and small reactions to make its presence around the house feel calming rather than distracting. Mori can sit quietly while you read, sway along to music, welcome you when you enter a room, or encourage you to slow down for a moment without requiring a screen or a conversation.