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Echo Guard Plus adds several new security features.
Chris Monroe / CNET
Your Amazon Echo ($ 65 at Google Store) has already various security features that you can use whenever you leave the house, including listening to what is happening in your home from afar to turn on lights that make it seem like you’re home when you’re really away. Also has Alexa Guard, which just received a major upgrade designed to better protect your home when you’re away from home.
Alexa Guard Plus is a $ 4.99 per month subscription service available for most Echo devices, with the exception of Echo Auto, Echo Tap and other Alexa companion devices (and the discontinued Echo Look). This is what it promises to do.
What additional features am I paying for with Alexa Guard Plus?
Alexa Guard Plus has more security features than free Alexa Guard. Add calls to the emergency helpline hands-free and alert you if you hear activity when you’re away. Guard Plus also includes features to help scare away unwanted intruders. It will play sounds of dogs barking, for example, if movement is detected outside. If activity is detected indoors, a siren will sound (more details below).
Your Echo device can bark at intruders.
Tyler Lizenby / CNET
1. Alexa Guard can offer you emergency help
With Guard Plus, you will have access to a 24/7 monitored helpline by emergency response agents to help you request an ambulance, police, fire department, or emergency personal contacts. To activate it, say: “Alexa, ask for help.”
2. Alexa will hear more sounds while you are away
Alexa now alerts you if she hears your smoke detector blaring or breaking glass when your home status is set to Away. With Alexa Guard Plus, you will receive notifications about other sounds while you are out of the house, such as footsteps and doors closing.
Once you receive a smart alert, you can tap it to open the Alexa app and hear what Alexa heard. You can also stop by to listen live and determine whether or not you need to call the emergency helpline or forward the problem to a compatible security provider.
3. Alexa will scare off intruders
Your Echo speaker can help deter intruders lurking outside your home. However, you will need a outdoor security camera that’s compatible with Alexa, like Ring, Blink, Arlo, and August.
If your security camera detects movement outside, Alexa can play the sound of a dog barking from your Echo speaker as a deterrent.
Use your outdoor camera to detect movement.
Chris Monroe / CNET
When will Alexa Guard Plus be available?
While Amazon did not give a specific release date for Guard Plus, the company announced that it will arrive later this year. Until then, you can still use Alexa Guard for free on your Echo device to see if you might be interested in the Plus tier. To get started, open the Alexa app and tap Plus > Settings > guard.
How much does Alexa Guard Plus cost?
Once available, Alexa Guard Plus will cost $ 4.99 per month. You can also choose to pay $ 49 per year annually, saving you $ 11 per year.
If you are already using Ring Protect Plus, Guard Plus will be free. You will need to link your Ring and Amazon accounts in the Ring app or on Ring.com to use Guard Plus. Other smart security companies, such as Abode, Wyze, and Resideo, will soon introduce subscription tiers that also include Guard Plus.
For more new Amazon Echo features, here how to use each new Alexa feature Amazon announced, Six of Amazon’s Best New Features for Your Echo and How to Use Them Y how to share your personalized routines with friends and family.
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