Amazon acquires camera and doorbell startup Blink

Camera and doorbell startup Blink announced in an email sent to customers yesterday, that it has been acquired by Amazon. The full email signed by Peter Besen, GM Blink products said:

''Dear Blink Community,

''We're excited to announce that Blink has been acquired by Amazon! Since launching in early 2016, we've been thrilled by your response to our ultra-affordable, truly wire-free video home security cameras and monitoring systems. This acquisition was made possible by your support and I wanted to thank each one of you.

''If you own one of our systems, nothing changes for now. We'll continue to operate under the Amazon umbrella selling and supporting the same great products you know and love. It's Day 1 for us at Amazon, and we're looking forward to seeing what we can deliver to our customers together.

''Again, thank you for your enthusiasm for Blink. Also, please check out our latest product, the Blink $99 video doorbell!  It can be seen on our website and will be making its debut at CES.  If you make it to the show, please stop by and say hello.''

The company first introduced a battery-powered indoor camera, followed by an outdoor version and on 19 December, it introduced a $99 Video Doorbell, available for preorder "soon."

Blink's video doorbell allows homeowners to see a live feed of who is at their door on their smartphone.

The companies did not disclose the financial terms of the deal.

Blink first introduced security cameras in 2016, which can be setup easily and are battery operated. The video doorbell, with a price tag of $99, is also battery powered.

Amazon forayed into home devices in 2014 with the Echo, the smart speaker that relies on voice recognition to answer questions and do things like order Uber rides.