Evoz has created a new service that lets parents turn their iOS device into a baby monitor. This isn’t just an everyday baby monitor though. The Evoz monitor contains a crying algorithm, so unlike other monitors that notify the user of every sound, it only alerts the user when the baby cries. The user will have access to this service wherever they have an internet connection.
As of now, to use Evoz a user needs two iOS devices. One device acts as the receiver and the other connects to WiFi. In September Evoz plans to offer a standalone monitor starting around $120.
With the Evoz service users can receive texts, calls, or emails when the baby cries for more than 30 seconds. Evoz also collects data to help users track how often the baby cries and when they cry, and then compares the data to studies on the subject. This is meant to help parents better understand the health of their baby. The Evoz service also enables parents to easily get in touch with a network of baby health experts if they have questions.
So, does this sound like a handy app that would be great to use? I’m not so sure about that. There are multiple factors that make this service more than a little sketchy. First, there are already numerous news reports about parents leaving babies alone in a house, with this app those reports are likely to increase. An irresponsible parent may decide they can go to the store and leave the baby alone because they would be notified if their baby cried. That just isn’t safe. Many other things could happen, but if the baby doesn’t cry for at least 30 seconds the user isn’t notified. Also, what if the user is out and their phone loses service or the battery dies? Then what?
The old-fashioned baby monitors keep the parents in the house to watch the baby, alert the parent of both cries and any other important noises, and are highly unlikely to experience the numerous technological malfunctions that occur with smartphone apps. Oh, and they cost about 4% the cost of two iPhones. Some things just need to stay safe and “old-fashioned.”