Portable security camera runs 2 years on 2 AA batteries

Security cameras keep getting smaller, cheaper and more convenient. The new Blink security camera, which Immedia originally showed off at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, takes this to the extreme. Rather than running on a rechargeable Li-ion battery that has become so common, Blink runs on two AA batteries and can last up to two years with normal usage, which the company defines as up to 10 five-second clips per day. The reason this works is that Blink uses a separate module to connect to the internet and sync recordings.

Blink also isn't the kind of camera that is constantly recording to capture everything. The camera will detect motion and save things it believes is an "event" that users might want to see. While this means it's not as robust of a security system for people who need full recordings, Blink does offer free online storage for 1,440 five-second events (7,200 seconds of video).

A single Blink camera sells for $99, which is a decent price for a security camera these days. That's why Immedia doesn't want people to buy just one. It wants users to set up Blink cameras all over their homes. So each additional camera gets a discount. The biggest discount is with the five-pack, which sells for $349, which is less than $70 per camera. More cameras can be purchased later for $75 each.

Blink will certainly not meet many people's home security needs. It's really meant for people looking for a basic solution to know if anything important happened back home while they were away. Blink does not tie into other smart home systems and it's not meant for outdoor use. It has a lot of limitations. The price is right, though, and it offers something unique that other security camera manufacturers haven't thought of yet. Many wireless security cameras coming out of China today already sell for well under $100, but they don't usually run on disposable batteries. Blink might be the first to find out if there's a big market for such a product.