Link up with your home webcam

A Singapore technology company has created a service which delivers image and video updates from home on your PC or mobile phone.

The Homecamera service from Wireless Intellect Labs uses a webcam to let users see what’s going on at home from wherever they are in the world.

By logging on to the website from any PC or mobile phone, users can use their webcam to take a “live” picture of what’s happening at home. It is also possible to view pre-recorded images and video clips.

Although it is currently possible to set up such a system yourself, often popular with people wanting an affordable security solution, the company says installation takes less than two minutes, there is no complex configuration, no expensive hardware to purchase and users can use any webcam to get up and running.

To use Homecamera, which is currently a free-of-charge service, users enter an ID and password, together with a name for their webcam at home. A subscriber can also choose to receive updates on their mobile phone when they’re on the move, using WAP technology, however, the cost for receiving these mobile updates will depend on the network operator’s own data charges.

Other features include a motion-detection function, which automatically takes a picture every time the webcam detects movement; and webcam sharing, so that friends and family can access a Homecamera account.

There are also plans to add a “multi-image” feature, where the live image from a webcam is updated every three seconds on an account; plus a “real-time” live video streaming option set to be introduced early 2008.

The Homecamera service is free until its commercial launch in October. After that, new users can choose from a variety of subscription packages while existing subscribers are guaranteed free use of the service for at least one year.