Parents always want to know what’s going on with their children, but those who use certain monitors to track their baby’s health are warned that these products come with some potential problems. Experts say smartphone-integrated baby monitors have not been proven safe, accurate, or effective, according to a review in The Journal of the American Medical Association. These devices connect to apps on your smartphone and display your infant’s health information, like his or her pulse, blood oxygen saturation, and respiration.
Many of the devices will sound an alarm if metrics indicate your baby is experiencing a possible health complication. This alarm system is a potential cause for concern, as false alarms can result in stress for parents, excessive trips to the doctor or hospital, unneeded medical testing, and costly medical expenses, Dr. Christopher Bonafide, a pediatrician and co-author of the JAMA review, told CBS News.
Most manufacturers of these devices do not overtly state that these products diagnose or treat any illness or reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Utah-based company Owlet Baby Care sells one of the more popular smartphone baby monitors on the market: a wearable sock priced at $249. On the Owlet website, it states “the Owlet Baby Monitor is designed to notify you if your baby’s heart rate or oxygen levels fall out of range, but your baby’s safety is your responsibility.” The JAMA review warns against these types of wearables, as well as others such as onesies and diaper clips.
When some parents purchase devices like these, however, they are looking for peace of mind. The reviews of the Owlet monitor are overall positive, but product reviews also indicate parents are buying this product to keep their babies safe. “Very happy with the piece [sic] of mind owlet gives me now and look forward to relying on it once it’s time to put our baby in his own room,” one reviewer writes on Amazon. “Hope this awesome product helps save babies from SIDS in the future!” another reviewer writes.
The American Academy of Pediatrics clearly advises against using cardiorespiratory monitors as a strategy of reducing SIDs, The JAMA report indicates. Before purchasing a smartphone baby monitor, it’s a good idea to consult your pediatrician.
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.