I’m hooked on home security. I have plenty of cameras, I’m testing multiple brands at any one time – so I’d like to think I’ve seen it all, and heard it all. But the new SwannShield AI might be a game-changer for video doorbells.
These companies are innovating at a rate so fast that it’s hard to say any one brand has all the best features, but for Video Doorbells this AI Assistant is something I’ve not seen before, and something that worked exactly as it was explained to me.
Here’s how it works.
Like any Video Doorbell the SwannBuddy 4K Video Doorbell it works like a normal doorbell – in fact, it with a chime in the box, and doesn’t need to be setup app connected for that simple doorbell and chime relationship to work.
For $299 (I’ve seen it for $179 on special) that would be insanity though.
Setup the app, and you’re getting a fantastic suite of features.
Scheduling your Doorbell
Gotta say, this was a huge win in my book. Shortly after setting up the device I was prompted to answer some simple questions that are posed in real natural language which helps to then form a schedule for your camera to be active or not.
You can then edit easily afterward – this was something I noted in a review of a Uniden product recently. It has to be easy and up front, otherwise you end up getting sick of notifications, shut them off, and lose the benefit of the security system in the first place.
Video Scale and Quality
A doorbell has to have a great field of view. I think the SwannBuddy 4K Video Doorbell may have the best video doorbell vision I’ve seen.
Head to toe is what you hear, but with this unit I think you can see your toe if it’s up against the same wall right under the doorbell.
It’s a fantastic view – meaning no parcel is missed.
And the quality is sensational, in low light or bright sun.
AI Doorbell assistance
The truely remarkable feature here though is the SwannShield AI – once you enable this – it’s in Beta – but it’s wild.
Set it up and give it a demeanour, be that polite, assertive or disinterested – and then give it a simple text delivery instruction.
That instruction is critical because it’s most likely someone is delivering a parcel if they are at your door. It can include something clear and instructive about your location, I think this works best because it makes it seem less like a computer, and more like a real person.
And the AI Voice is excellent. Aussie accent, plus clear instructions.
Now, It answers fast, and deals with the first obvious request pretty quick, but I think anything after that takes some processing. While that felt a touch frustrating, I think it still works to get the point across.
Additionally, It’s actually faster in terms of initial response than most online video doorbells that you answer on your phone. I find myself finally talking as the person has turned or already walked away on those.
If you want to engage, you can use it as a remote camera and two way audio from your smartphone no matter where you are – that’s all just like normal video doorbells.
But the AI jumps in when you choose – particularly I’m using it when we are “Away” or “asleep”.
And the chime still rings inside the home, so if someone is there and you’re home or even asleep, they aren’t just getting AI – you do know they are there.
What a fantastic innovation. And let me say, for a first generation product – remarkable.
I had a few fun chats, but didn’t realise the transcripts were only stored for 2 days, so I didn’t have copies of those.
And I’ve had two very real deliveries interact with the AI Assistant, and the parcels were left as instructed
This thing is fantastic.
Battery Life
Battery live could be the issue here, I’ve noticed a 60% dip in just 3 weeks using it. Now, as with all systems, it’s about adjusting the sensitivity of when it records, and when it doesn’t. I’ll play with those settings now, as I’d like to be getting 6-8 weeks from my doorbell battery.
Overall
This is not just a great simple doorbell, and also a great smart video doorbell, but the addition of a smart AI assistant really steps the market for video doorbells up a notch.
Fascinating that we have so many features like parcel, person, even face detection, now this AI Assistance, the company that can combine them all will dominate – for now though, we’re excited for this innovation, and at the sale price – this is a no brainer.
Trev is a Technology Commentator, Dad, Speaker and Rev Head.
He produces and hosts two popular podcasts, EFTM and Two Blokes Talking Tech. He also appears on over 50 radio stations across Australia weekly, and is the resident Tech Expert on Channel 9’s Today Show each day and appears regularly on A Current Affair.
Father of three, he is often found down in his Man Cave.
