Dropcam

Dropcam is a company that specializes in developing and manufacturing Wi-Fi-enabled video cameras, allowing users to remotely monitor and interact with their surroundings through smartphones and tablet computers, such as Apple iPhone and Google Nexus. The company was founded by Greg Duffy and Aamir Virani in 2009 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with investors including Accel Partners, Menlo Ventures, and DCM Ventures. Dropcam's products have been compared to those of Nest Labs, August Smart Locks, and Ring (company), and have been featured in various media outlets, including The New York Times, Forbes, and Wired (magazine).

Introduction

Dropcam's mission is to provide users with a simple and convenient way to monitor their homes, offices, and other spaces remotely, using cloud computing and Internet of Things technologies. The company's products have been used in a variety of settings, including home security, pet monitoring, and business surveillance, and have been integrated with other smart home devices, such as Amazon Echo and Google Home. Dropcam has also partnered with companies like ADT Security Services and Vivint to offer its products as part of their home security systems. Additionally, Dropcam's products have been used by law enforcement agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Police Department, to monitor and investigate crime scenes.

History

Dropcam was founded in 2009 by Greg Duffy and Aamir Virani, who met while attending University of California, Berkeley. The company launched its first product, the Dropcam HD, in 2010, which was a Wi-Fi-enabled video camera that allowed users to stream live video to their smartphones and tablet computers. In 2012, Dropcam launched its second product, the Dropcam Pro, which added new features such as night vision and motion detection. The company has also expanded its product line to include the Dropcam Tab, a tablet computer-based monitoring system, and has partnered with companies like Cisco Systems and Intel Corporation to develop new products and technologies. Dropcam has received funding from investors like Sequoia Capital, Kleiner Perkins, and Andreessen Horowitz, and has been recognized as one of the Forbes Cloud 100 and Deloitte Technology Fast 500.

Products

Dropcam's product line includes the Dropcam HD, Dropcam Pro, and Dropcam Tab, which are all Wi-Fi-enabled video cameras that allow users to stream live video to their smartphones and tablet computers. The company's products are compatible with a variety of devices, including Apple iPhone, Google Nexus, and Amazon Kindle Fire, and can be controlled using mobile apps like Dropcam App and IFTTT. Dropcam's products have been compared to those of Nest Labs, August Smart Locks, and Ring (company), and have been featured in various media outlets, including The New York Times, Forbes, and Wired (magazine). Additionally, Dropcam's products have been integrated with other smart home devices, such as Amazon Echo and Google Home, and have been used by companies like Home Depot and Lowe's to offer home security systems.

Features

Dropcam's products offer a range of features, including night vision, motion detection, and two-way audio, which allow users to communicate with people in the monitored area. The company's products also include cloud storage, which allows users to store and review recorded video footage, and mobile alerts, which notify users of motion detection and other events. Dropcam's products are also compatible with IFTTT and Zapier, which allow users to integrate their Dropcam devices with other smart home devices and web services, such as Facebook and Twitter. Additionally, Dropcam's products have been recognized for their data security and privacy features, which include encryption and secure authentication, and have been certified by organizations like UL (safety organization) and ETL SEMKO.

Acquisition

In 2014, Dropcam was acquired by Nest Labs, a company founded by Tony Fadell and Matt Rogers, for USD 550 million. The acquisition was seen as a strategic move by Nest Labs to expand its product line and increase its presence in the home security and smart home markets. After the acquisition, Dropcam's products continued to be sold under the Dropcam brand, and the company's founders, Greg Duffy and Aamir Virani, joined Nest Labs as part of the acquisition. In 2015, Nest Labs was acquired by Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, and Dropcam's products became part of the Google Nest product line, which includes Google Home and Google Wi-Fi. Today, Dropcam's products are used by millions of users around the world, and have been integrated with other Google products and services, such as Google Assistant and Google Cloud Platform. Category:Technology companies of the United States