Amazon is ending support of their Amazon Cloud Cam home surveillance equipment as of Dec. 2, 2022, but there’s good news — they’ll replace it for you with a brand-new device.
How do you get a new Blink Mini? What’s happening to your Amazon Cloud Cam? How are these devices different?
We’ll tell you everything you need to know about this switcheroo.
What’s going to happen to Amazon Cloud Cam?
Well, to be blunt, it’s not going to work anymore. Amazon stopped selling the Cloud Cam in 2019 — once they acquired cloud-based camera companies Ring and Blink. Once Dec. 2, 2022 hits, it’ll basically be a paperweight. It won’t interface with Amazon or any apps anymore. You won’t be able to live stream and any saved videos will automatically delete from the camera.
TIP: Save all of your videos before the shutdown so that you don’t lose any of your content. Go to the “Recorded Clips” section in the menu on the top right of the app, then click the download button.
How can I get a free Blink Mini?
Amazon will replace your soon-to-be-disabled Cloud Cam with a new Blink Mini. If you’re a Cloud Cam owner, keep an eye on your email over the next few months; you’ll receive instructions for how to get your new Blink Mini before the Dec. 2 deadline.
The Blink Mini is pretty comparable, specs-wise, to the Cloud Cam. Both have 1080P video quality, night vision, 2-way audio, and a similar field of vision. It’s not exactly an across-the-board trade; the Blink Mini retails for $34.99, while the Cloud Cam price hovered between $89.99 and $119.99.
What else is Amazon giving me as they shut down the Cloud Cam?
The Blink Mini will come with a one-year subscription to Blink Subscription Plus, which typically costs $10 per month or $100 per year. A subscription — either to Plus or the $3 per month single-camera Basic plan — is required for many Blink features, including rapid access to videos and motion-activated recording.
Cloud Cam also required a paid subscription for advanced features, although it offered some free options that require payment on the Blink Mini.
What if I used Cloud Cam Key Edition?
Cloud Cam Key Edition is a bundle that worked with the Zigbee smart hub to unlock and lock doors.
If you own the Cloud Cam Key Edition, you’ll get a free Echo 4 (reg. $49.99) along with the Blink Mini, to help connect to smart locks and automate your home.
TIP: If you want to find out how to get more free stuff from Amazon, check out our guide on grabbing some freebies.
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