Blink is a business entity that develops and sells smart Home Security Systems. It was established in 2014 by Peter Besen, Hawley Locke, and Brad Bell from California. The company has been an Amazon subsidiary since 2017, though it remains a distinct brand in designing and developing new security cameras.
The Beginning of Blink Blink was founded by two individuals who previously worked at an imaging company known as ImmerVision with a common aim to transform smart home devices that are affordable and easy to use. They knew that currently available home security systems are expensive and not easy to use, and therefore they aimed to create a system that was affordable and easy to use.
Following the creation of the prototype by the founding team, they sought funding through a Kickstarter initiative in 2014 intending to test the market on their new wire-free outdoor/indoor security camera. The campaign resulted in massive interest with almost 11000 backers and altogether $980000 pledged. Having finally proven the concept and having raised the necessary capital, Besen, Locke, and Bell were prepared to introduce Blink to the market.
Security Camera: Simple, Effective, and Easy to Use Blink’s first product in 2016 was the Blink Wire-Free HD Security Camera. Still, for $99, half the price of the competition, the camera offers sharp 1080p video, motion detection alerts, free cloud storage, and two-year battery life from two AA lithium batteries. The camera uses WiFi to communicate with a Blink Sync Module to allow for wireless transmission of motion alerts and cloud storage of videos.
The use of battery, WiFi, and cloud storage as the primary source of power and video transmission instead of cables and wires makes it convenient for people to install security cameras inside and outside the house. This enhanced design also does not require professional installation since all the setup is made very easy. Through its Simplified Home Security philosophy, Blink has managed to appeal to renters, homeowners, and business owners due to its affordability and lack of fuss.
Acquisition by Amazon For Blink, it was easy to achieve the goal when the product was good and the prices were significantly lower than the competition. Blink cameras were well-liked by the public, and Blink, a relatively new company, experienced significant growth in its business. Thus, the company evoked the acquisition interest of the largest Tech industry company Amazon. Blink was acquired by Amazon after only two years of operations in 2017 for a sum of $90 million.
From the case of Blink, acquisition by a giant like Amazon gives the firm better opportunities to source capital and funds to improve the products’ production and expand more rapidly. Blink also benefits from acquiring the manufacturing facilities which will enable it to meet demand by producing larger volumes. About customers, Amazon's backing created more confidence in Blink as a smart home company. Amazon has also remained true to its word of preserving Blink’s branding since its acquisition as well. Currently, Blink remains a separate company from Amazon, maintaining its orientation to the end consumer and position as a player in the smart home space.
The Blink Product Line Expands Blink benefited from being part of the Amazon family, as it helped to speed up the execution of its product strategy. Looking at this case, Blink has expanded its portfolio just a year after being acquired to meet other requirements in outdoor security. New products are Blink XT2 – a wireless security camera for harsh weather and Blink Mini as well as Blink Indoor for home usage.
Its current product lineup is a Video Doorbell that comes with a 2-year battery life, the Floodlight Camera, a solution that offers security lighting and 1080p video, and other system accessories and add-ons that include solar panels, mounts, chargers, and others. Because Blink sends and receives information wirelessly, there has been a rise in the packaging of whole home kits in sets of multiple Blink devices in a single kit.
Blink has expanded into a variety of security solutions but still prioritizes the values it established itself upon simple to install, effective, long-lasting battery life, and reasonably priced. Ongoing customer insights help to build on experiences and make changes to the simplification of offerings and support, including products.
The Blink App and Features A primary component of the Blink system is the Blink Home Monitor Application. Compatible with iOS and Android smartphones, the mobile app guides users through the processes of wiring Blink cameras to Wi-Fi and positioning them for the best surveillance. Management of settings or configurations is done from the app dashboard while videos are stored and alerts prompt notifications on users’ phones.
Amazon Alexa compatibility pushes Blink’s simplicity to the next level. On smart displays, Alexa voice commands enable users to control the Blink camera without touching a screen and watching the feed. The added voice control also allows users to interact with two Blink devices, control the recording options, and many more, without using the app interface.
What Blink Does Next So, going from three men, crowdfunding their first product prototype, to being acquired by one of the, if not the largest, tech companies shows that Blink proves that radical ideas can alter an industry. Although Blink is now part of Amazon, it retains the spirit of disruptive innovation and customer-led advancement.
Continuous feedback keeps introducing new features and integrating them into the camera software with frequent updates. At CES 2023, Blink said there would be an addition of support for 5GHz WiFi, thus enhancing the camera’s performance and connection stability. Other smart alerts and new products are, without doubt, on their way to being developed to open new business horizons in the security, automation, and simplicity sectors for their millions of clients.
Like any other purpose-driven organization, Blink also uses business success for the purpose of giving back. Employee volunteerism gives service to needy communities and in 2020, Blink’s parent company, Amazon, doubled the donations made for wildfire relief. Built around the philosophy of its inception, Blink still attracts people, inspires them to act, and ensures that everyone can have smart home security.
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