Home Security and Remote Access Tech from Tekview
We look at three products from UK firm Tekview. Two allow you to keep an eye on your home whilst you're away, and one lets you control mains appliances via a text message. We interview Tekview to find out more
In 2012, the FrequencyCast team was at Gadget Show Live in Birmingham, where we caught up with Tekview. On this page, you'll find details of the three products on offer from Tekview, plus an interview with Neil McPherson, Director at Tekview Ltd.
We chat to Neil McPherson from Tekview Ltd about the range of security and remote access products (9 mins): |
Alert Pal
Need to keep an eye on your house or office whilst you're out? The Alert Pal could be the answer.
If the Alert Pal senses movement via passive IR, it will send you five images of what the camera sees via an MMS picture message. The system requires no installation and is completely portable. It doesn't use an Internet connection, instead you insert a Pay As You Go SIM card, which makes setup and use a doddle. You can also call your Alert Pal to hear what's going on, using the built-in mic.
A low cost solution that doesn't faff about with a wireless Internet connection
You can also use the Alert Pal to let you know when a door's opened, or if it detects smoke. No subscription needed, the one-off cost for the hardware, plus a pay-as-you-go SIM of your choice, topped up with some credit.
| Alert Pal is available from www.tekview.co.uk as well as Amazon.co.uk |
Video Pal
Ever had the need to do some discrete monitoring of your property? This tiny video recorder could be the answer.
A small little recorder that's fully portable and allows you to keep an eye on your stuff secretly. The Video Pal comes with a 4GB SD card and will capture up to 3 hours of video. It's triggered when it senses movement, using the passive IR sensor. Your recordings are also stamped with time and date.
The video can be watched by connecting the Video Pal to your PC and transferring over the video files.
Easy to use, and small enough to be overlooked - it also records over itself, so will always catch the latest images, requiring less maintenance. An elegant, and devious, little box!
Alert Pal is available from www.tekview.co.uk |
SMS-Controlled Mains Socket
The mains socket can be activated or deactivated by a text message. Switch on your tech kit remotely with a simple text from any mobile.
This is a rather clever little mains socket that allows you to interact with your appliances via a text message. The plug contains a socket for a SIM card, so pop in a PAYG SIM, and you're off. Here's what the socket can do:
- Send a text message to switch the socket on or off
- Get the socket to text you when a certain temperature is reached
- Get a text message alert if there's a mains power failure
Unlike some remote control solutions, this one doesn't rely on a wi-fi or broadband connection, as it uses the 2G mobile phone network and a SIM card. Low running sockets and very easy setup. This lets you control or check the state of any mains equipment via an SMS from any phone. The only gotcha, is that it seems that SIM cards from the 3 network aren't supported - SIMs from all other UK networks are OK.
A nice product, which solves a multitude of problems - handy for server managers, IT folk, girls that leave the iron on, and anyone who needs to get the kettle switched on by SMS!
| The IRPS1363 SMS Controlled Power Socket is available from www.tekview.co.uk as well as Amazon.co.uk |
Related Pages:
- Gadget Show Live 2012 Coverage
- Our look at Gadget Show Live 2011
- FrequencyCast at Ideal Home Show 2012
- FrequencyCast's Favourite Gadgets
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