I'm looking for a baby monitor that comes with both a monitor device that I can use to view it and also the option to download a mobile app that can view it via a mobile (over Wifi).
I have googled it to death with no luck. It would give me the option to use my phone to see when baby cries as well as a device for convenience to leave downstairs if I don't bring my mobile with me, or for others to use without having to give my phone or wifi password away.
You're looking for a "smart baby monitor".
However, asking to have a baby monitor that comes with both a proprietary viewing device and and mobile app is probably asking too much from the manufacturers.
Developing hardware to view the baby monitors requires the manufacturer to have:
Developing an application for smartphones is seen as an alternative to physical devices. You're already providing/own the hardware (why may be better than the hardware they produced), so they can put their resources into the software development aspect of the viewing app.
Since apps are an alternative to, rather than a supplement for, proprietary hardware I'd be impressed if any such products exist.
Even if such a product existed, the dedicated viewing device would most likely have less features and feel terribly basic when compared to the app.
However, you can get your solution yourself just by looking for a smart baby monitor.
Searching Amazon, for instance, with those terms brings up at least 4 monitors with Android/iOS apps in the first 10 hits.
Brands listed include:
Of the models I quickly found, they have a wide variety of features, so make sure you're looking for other features than just being Android/iOS. Some features are:
Minimum requirements for the app
Some smart baby monitors don't come with apps, but have proprietary handheld video monitors and web-based features that make them "smart", so be aware that calling it a smart monitor can mean different things. However, this should at least guide you to finding a device.
To get your 2nd device that you can leave downstairs, you can simply purchase or acquire another smart device. You can buy a pre-paid carrier phone and not use it as a phone at all, and use only the baby monitor app. There's a wide variety of low-cost tablets available these days. You may also already have old smart phones you haven't recycled that can be used.
While this may seem like an additional expense, I would argue that it's probably not any more expensive than a product that would have both a dedicated viewer and a mobile app.
Economically speaking, it's in no one's best interest for a manufacturer to provide both.
We've used Lorex monitors for years. They can broadcast to Skype. Their hardware tends to be a little fragile, but otherwise works well.
This looks like the new model... http://www.amazon.com/Lorex-LW2731-Recording-Monitor-Wireless/dp/B00ARJQRLU
We use this older model, which has a dedicated monitor, but no mobile app. http://www.amazon.com/Lorex-LW2031-connect-Wireless-Monitor/dp/B005GTNZU2
You could use any ip camera(such as a foscam or drop cam) and simply buy a low cost tablet as the monitor device.
Any Android or iPad device would do the trick. Amazon kindle fire for example is very low cost and would work with any ip camera. Or you may already have an old iPod touch or tablet that you don't use or could be used for this that would cost you nothing.
The KODAK Cherish C525 Video Baby Monitor comes with a handheld device of it's own and also has an app you can download onto a mobile device to view the video footage from as well. It's the only one I've been able to find that has both.
