Skip to main content

Torchcity makes securing your home as easy as screwing in a lightbulb

2017 torchcity Smart Home Lighting 206
Securing your home is as easy as screwing in a lightbulb. After all, keeping yourself and your loved ones safe is of the utmost importance, so why shouldn’t it be of the utmost convenience, too? With Torchcity, you ought to be able to combine a surveillance camera, sensors, and of course, wireless LED lighting, all into a single device.

“Making our homes smarter shouldn’t be rocket science,” the team notes on its Kickstarter page. “At Torchcity, we envision smart homes to be the future living and should be as easy as installing a light bulb.” Rather than depending on a consortium of various devices, Torchcity claims to deliver an all-in-one solution.

Embedded in the light is a camera lens, which claims to give users the ability to view “every corner of the room at once,” and in full HD, no less. Thanks to an embedded motor, homeowners can adjust the camera angle by 18 degrees at a time, allowing them to monitor the entirety of the room. Footage from the camera can be streamed directly to your smartphone, and can be stored in Dropbox or other cloud solutions. If you see something out of the ordinary, Torchcity’s built-in microphone and speakers support two-way audio, so you can speak to folks in your home, and hear their responses. So whether you need to communicate with a loved one or scare off a potential intruder, this smart light bulb could help.

Torchcity also claims to double as a smoke and gas detector. Featuring “industry-standard smoke and gas sensors,” you ought to be able to keep tabs on any dangerous situations within your home. Should the Torchcity detect unusual levels or either smoke or gas, users will receive a smartphone alert, while folks at home will see six red LED lights blinking as an alarm sounds. And to ensure that you can’t just ignore the sound, the alarm isn’t deactivated until a user presses the stop button from within the app.

Of course, as a lightbulb first and foremost, Torchcity can also help illuminate a room. Fully controllable through the companion app, users can control the temperature and color of a light from afar. Claiming a broad spectrum of colors and various tonalities (warm for the evening and cool for the day), the Torchcity hopes to help create the right ambiance for every setting.

You can pre-order the smart light from Kickstarter for $199, and delivery is expected in April.

Editors' Recommendations

Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
Google Home adds support for Nest Cam Indoor
A cartoon depiction of the Google Home app and Nest Cam Indoor.

Google Home is continuing to expand its roster, with Google today adding support for the Nest Cam Indoor (1st Gen). This allows you to manage all aspects of your camera, such as checking your notification history and accessing your camera feed.

There’s a bit of a catch, as support for Nest Cam Indoor is only available in Public Preview. To join Public Preview and gain early access to the feature, you’ll need to dive into the Settings on your Home app and select Join Public Preview. You’ll then get a prompt to update Public Preview -- accept this invitation, and you’ll see another prompt letting you know when you’re eligible to transfer your camera to Google Home.

Read more
How much does it cost to install security cameras?
Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro on wall.

The cost of installing security cameras varies widely, and there are multiple factors you need to consider beyond the initial price. If you choose to have them professionally installed, expect to pay more than if you put them up yourself. You’ll also want to look at ongoing subscriptions and memberships, which are often required for most products -- including popular ones from Ring, Blink, and Arlo.

Trying to figure out your budget before investing in security cameras? Here’s a closer look at every expense you’ll incur during the process.
How much will installation add to your bill?

Read more
Why moving your smart home could be a nightmare
Philips Hue Appear Outdoor smart light.

The smart home concept is a great thing. It allows us to automate things from lighting to temperature, make video calls while we prepare dinner, and get answers to questions instantly. In its current state, it has one fatal flaw, however: The smart home is not really meant to move.

In fact, you might want to leave behind the majority of your smart home gadgets when selling your property.
What to know about moving smart home gadgets
Think about it: Some of us have literally dozens of devices including lights, thermostats, robot vacuums, speakers, security cameras, wireless alarm systems, and more. How would you go about removing, relocating, and reconnecting all those devices to Wi-Fi in a new house if you ever need to move? On the surface, it sounds daunting.

Read more