You might have heard of Amazon plans to use drones for deliveries, but a recently granted patent reveals how the online retailer turned industry giant also has ambitions to offer drones as "surveillance as a service."

Originally filed in June 2015 before becoming public four years later, the "Image Creation Using Geo-Fence Data" patent describes how "an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may perform a surveillance action at a property of an authorised party." To do so, the UAV (aka drone) defines the property in question within a geo-fence, a virtual perimeter or boundary around a real-world piece of geography.

The patent gives few other details as to how such a service would operate. It does state customers could have drones visit their property on an hourly, daily or weekly basis, while the drones would carry night vision cameras and microphones to further expand sensing capabilities. On the privacy front, Amazon promises the drones will only be able to capture images within the specific geo-fence, possibly obscuring or outright removing images outside of the specific boundary.

Edinburgh-based Boundary Technologies takes to Kickstarter to launch the Boundary Alarm, a security system promising easy and reliable operation, as well as adherence to British and European security standards.

Founded by Robin Knox and Paul Walton, the two entrepreneurs behind IntelligentPOS (which was acquired by iZettle in 2016), Boundary Technologies promises to offer a smart and wireless security system. Homeowners can control the Boundary Security System via mobile device app. The system connects to the mobile phone network, and alerts users in case it detects intruders, even if the criminals manage to cut the phone lines and broadband connection.

Amazon-owned security camera maker Blink announces the XT2-- an upgrade on the 2016 XT camera featuring updated internals promising up to 2-years of motion-activated use on x2 AA lithium batteries.

The XT2 looks near-identical to the XT, with a similarly weather-resistant (IP65-rated) body. It records 1080p video, and includes 2-way audio complete with Alexa support. Thus, users can view a live feed from the camera on an Amazon Echo Spot, Echo Show or Fire TV device by simply saying "Alexa, show me the [camera name]."

Nortek Security & Control uses the ISC West 2019 show to launch the 2GIG eSeries-- a security and control ecosystem complete with the GC2e and GC3e panels and a line of encrypted panels.

“This is a major update to the line, designed to benefit both dealers and their homeowner customers,” the company says. “For homeowners, the new encrypted sensors enhance peace of mind, knowing their system is even more secure and resistant to hacks and breaches. The new panels deliver an upgraded user experience, including a contemporary new design that will look at home in any setting."