Arlo's $99 Essential Indoor Camera features a unique automated privacy shield to block all kinds of recording. It is now available to pre-order and due to start shipping by the end of the month.

A Privacy-Focused Indoor Camera

The Essential Indoor Camera is a basic indoor camera from Arlo that was first announced at CES 2021. The main highlight of this camera is the automatic privacy shield. When enabled, the privacy shield pops up, blocking the camera and all kinds of recording---motion, video, and audio.

The camera itself is capable of recording videos and motion in 1080p resolution. It has an ultra-wide 130-degree viewing angle making it ideal for covering a wide area like your living room or bedroom.

Related: The Best Hidden Cameras for Protecting Your Home

Other features of the Arlo Essential Indoor Camera include night vision, noise-canceling two-way audio support, and a built-in siren. The siren can be triggered automatically whenever the indoor camera detects any motion or audio.

The Essential Indoor Camera has object detection, which helps it in delivering smarter notifications. So, the Arlo app will send a notification depending on what object it detects. Whether that's a person, package, or animal.

The Arlo Essential Indoor Camera features both Alexa and Google Assistant integration. Arlo had also highlighted HomeKit support when it first announced the camera at CES. This is currently missing from the camera, but the company will add it via a future firmware update.

Related: How to Control Your Smart Home Devices Using Google Assistant

The privacy shield on the Arlo Essential Indoor Camera makes it clear that it is meant for folks who put a great deal of emphasis on their privacy. While it is possible to prevent other indoor cameras from recording for a set time, a physical shield in front of the camera gives additional peace of mind.

Arlo Essential Indoor Camera

Arlo's Smart e911 feature can help save precious time during an emergency. It allows the Essential Indoor Camera to send emergency services its location instead of the smartphone's location it is linked to if the need ever arises.

Arlo also announced a touchless doorbell at CES 2021, though there's no word from the company on its availability yet.

How to Enable the Privacy Shield in the Arlo Essential Indoor Camera

You can enable the Arlo Indoor camera's privacy-focused mode by putting it in "disarm mode" from the Arlo app. The camera will again start recording only when it is put in "armed" mode, which disables the shield.

You can also automatically switch between modes by creating a schedule as per your requirement from the Arlo app.

Download: Arlo on Android | iOS

How to Pre-Order the Arlo Essential Indoor Camera

You can order the Arlo Essential Indoor Camera from Arlo's website, Best Buy, or Amazon for $99. Arlo is also bundling a free three-month trial of its Smart Subscription, which offers 30 days of video storage space and advanced notification options.

The camera is estimated to start shipping on March 26, 2021. It is available in both black and white.

Image Credit: Arlo