Image: Xthings
At last year’s CES, we heard from the company behind Ultraloq and U-tec about the $69 Ulticam Dot, a portable security camera that was supposed to launch over the summer. But according to Xthings chief strategy officer Matthew Brown, it delayed the launch until Q1 2025 in part to work on what it considers a “disruptive” feature: giving every Ulticam product seven days of free cloud storage for recordings and offering all features without a premium subscription.
Is that truly disruptive? Well, there aren’t many security camera manufacturers we know of that offer free cloud storage for any meaningful stretch of time, let alone a full week. (Arlo did before removing the option for new customers, and Nest still offers three hours.) Xthings isn’t exactly promising such generosity forever, but Brown says the company is committed to “deliver that experience for as long as we possibly can.” The company is also looking into an optional subscription that would extend cloud storage retention beyond seven days.
Free cloud storage will be available for every Ulticam, starting with the Dot, a battery-powered security camera that leans into its portability. It has a magnetic base that could make it more convenient than other options for travel. While it’s magnetically attached to the base, you can pan and tilt the camera to get the angle just right. You can attach the base to any vertical surface using screws or adhesive for more permanent installation or just set it upright on a flat horizontal surface.
The Dot otherwise follows a proven formula. The weather-resistant 2K camera supports night vision and offers real-time person and motion alerts with configurable detection zones. You can also engage visitors with two-way audio or a siren. It has 8GB of onboard storage for saving clips locally, and it works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home. Xthings says the Dot can last up to nine months in standby mode on four AA batteries (though battery life can vary based on usage).
The brand is also readying high-end wired home security cameras designed to cover your home’s exterior. The previously announced Ulticam IQ ($169 or $199 with 4G LTE connectivity) will come in Q1 2025, while the newly announced Ulticam IQ Floodlight ($199 or $239 with 4G) arrives in Q2. Both start with 2K resolution, but 4K versions will arrive in Q2.
Image: Xthings
The Ulticam IQ has a built-in motion-activated spotlight, while the upgraded model adds two floodlights for better illumination and color night vision. Both IQ cameras also have AI-powered motion detection of vehicles and specific faces with four configurable zones, all processed on-device. Like the Dot, they’ll come with seven-day cloud storage and 8GB of onboard storage, but you can expand that with an SD card up to 128GB.
Additional reporting by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy