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AlfredCamera lets users repurpose an unused phone as a live security camera by pairing it with their main device through the same account login or a QR code scan. The free version offers live video, a siren alarm, night mode, two-way talk and remote camera controls, while paid tiers add more cameras, HD streaming, longer cloud storage and object detection.
A free Android utility called Action Notch converts a phone's front camera notch into an interactive shortcut, letting users tap, double-tap, or long-press it to trigger actions like screenshots, flashlight toggles, or automation scripts from Tasker and MacroDroid. The app supports more than 50 actions, and a paid pro tier adds extra gestures plus rule-based actions that let a single gesture behave differently depending on context.
Xiaomi's new $500 Redmi Note 17 Pro Max includes full-resolution 50MP photo capture and a manual/pro camera mode, features absent from Google's $900 Pixel 11. Google reserves these tools for its pricier Pixel 11 Pro lineup, even though the base Pixel has hardware capable of supporting them.
At a New York launch event, Insta360 unveiled the X6, its latest 360-degree camera, and used the occasion to showcase a decade of product evolution since its original Nano device. The company framed the X6 not just as a standalone gadget but as the centerpiece of a broader ecosystem meant to simplify capturing and editing immersive footage.
Blurams used IFA 2026 in Berlin to introduce a broad home security ecosystem covering outdoor solar-powered cameras, indoor dome cameras, a local storage hub, and an AI companion toy for children. The lineup includes three F-series outdoor cameras ranging from a 4MP model to a 4K Ultra HD version, each featuring solar charging, motion detection, night vision, and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity. All devices support free cloud playback and local microSD storage without requiring a subscription.
Following Florida Governor Ron DeSantis's move to remove Flock license plate readers from state roads, sheriff's offices in several Florida counties followed suit. Dallas police shut down over 300 Flock cameras after Governor Greg Abbott cut state funding, while a dozen Wisconsin agencies suspended their contracts, joining cities like Appleton, Oshkosh and Kenosha that had already dropped Flock.
At IFA 2026 in Berlin, Dyson used its 'Dyson Unveiled' event to launch 10 new devices spanning floorcare, air purification and beauty tech. The standout debut is the CameraJet, Dyson's first toothbrush, which uses a built-in camera and AI vision to detect gaps between teeth while brushing, flossing and dispensing mouthwash for $499. The company also showed a more powerful air purifier and other updated home appliances.
Android Authority's three-week review of the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL finds the phones fall short on paper, with less RAM than last year, a modest Tensor G6 upgrade, higher prices, and a disappointing HiLight feature. Despite these shortcomings, the reviewer says daily use of the devices remains compelling thanks to strong hardware, cameras, and software.
At IFA 2026, Ulefone sub-brand RugOne showed off the Xsnap 7 Pro, a rugged Android phone with a magnetically attached action camera that pops out of its back. The removable module records up to 2.8K at 30fps or 1440p at 50fps, holds 64GB of storage, is waterproof to 5 meters, and connects to the phone over Wi-Fi 6 from as far as 50 meters away.
Florida's Department of Transportation issued a memo revoking permits for automatic license plate readers, including Flock Safety cameras, on state-controlled roads. Law enforcement agencies have 30 days from August 31 to remove the devices, and the agency says it will stop approving new permit requests going forward.
Amazon has cut the price of Blink's newest Mini 2K Plus indoor security camera to $21.99, a 45% discount off its regular price. The plug-in camera records at up to 2K resolution with HDR, low-light color vision, infrared night vision, two-way audio, and a built-in siren, and can also work outdoors with an optional weather-resistant adapter.
Reports suggest Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro lineup will introduce a variable aperture lens on the main camera, a first for the iPhone. It remains unclear whether both the Pro and Pro Max models will get this feature, or just the larger Pro Max, and the wide-angle and telephoto lenses are expected to keep fixed apertures.