Alexa can be the first to alert people if one of their security cameras detects a visitor at the door or a package being delivered.
According to Amazon, Alexa person and package sensor announcements are now rolling out, and the design will include the opportunity to view a live video feed on Echo Show, Fire TV, or Fire Tablet anytime a person or item is identified.The Alexa app will also send notifications on the phone.
Ring video doorbells and security cameras aren't the only devices that can use the new capability. Alexa's voiced camera alerts now function with other Alexa-compatible cameras, including those from Google.
Alexa person plus package announcements are now available for the 2020 Ring Video Doorbell and the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2, as well as Abode's Iota and Outdoor cams, which will be available "soon."
Conversely, all other Ring Video Doorbells and cameras support Alexa person-only announcements.
They'll eventually be available for the Google Nest Cam (both the indoor or outdoor versions, as well as both wired and battery-powered models), the Nest Cam with floodlight, and the battery-powered Nest Doorbell.
Other distributors, in addition to Abode and Google, will be able to use the new API to embed in Alexa camera announcements, as long as their Alexa-enabled devices back up the H.264 video codec and have at least 720p video quality.
A camera may demand a subscription that covers person/people detection to acquire Alexa person and package notifications.
Ring Protect, which combines person and package detection and costs $3 monthly or $30 per year, is the way to go, while Abode's packages begin at $7 monthly.
Although Google doesn't charge for basic people detection, customers will have to subscribe to Nest Aware to use the company's more powerful algorithms.
To enable the feature, from the Alexa app, turn on the person and package detection announcements by going to Devices and then to Cameras, then toggling on the Person Detection Announcements and/or Package Detection Announcements settings.
Alexa persons and package detection notifications are (for now) only available to the Ring Video Doorbell, Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2, and Adobe Iota and Outdoor cams, which were updated shortly after release.
Also, contrary to what the original post claimed, smart brand cameras in the Works with Alexa initiative will not receive Alexa camera announcements.
