Ring,
a smart home brand operating under Amazon, has announced 13 new products at the start of 2019.
The big announcement was the Ring Door View Cam, a peephole camera which can monitor who’s standing by the front door. The Door View Cam doesn’t require wiring, allowing homeowners to remove the current peephole on the door and install the camera easily. This product may attract people living in the apartments rather than houses.
The device features privacy zones and audio recording switch-off, so that apartment users can block out certain areas at the front door, avoiding invading the neighbor’s privacy.
It has a rechargeable battery and records 1080p HD video accessible from the Ring app. In addition to ringing the bell, the device can detect when someone’s knocking the door, and start recording and send notification to user’s phone.
Another Smart Alert feature reduces certain motion alerts that may annoy users, such as kids playing close to the front door. Other Ring doorbell and camera products will also receive this feature in 2019, according to the company.
The device works with Amazon Alexa, so that users can ask the assistant to show front door footage on Amazon Show or other supported display devices.
The Ring Door View Cam will be available in the U.S. later this year for US$199, and arrive at several European countries as well.
A more complete home security system
Ring has also updated its home security offerings. The new Smoke & Co Listener sensor can detect smoke and rising carbon dioxide levels; the Flood & Freeze Sensor can detect water to indicate flooding or when the water temperature is freezing; and the Dome Siren rings and flashes lights to alert homeowners about burglary or other problems.
The Ring app will also be able to control several smart locks made by Kwikset, Schlage and Yale. The integration with August smart locks, announced previously, is supposed to be available later this year.
Furthermore, the Ring Alarm home security system, doorbells and cameras can now communicate with one another. For example, an alarm sound can directly trigger the camera to start recording.
Goes big on smart lighting
After acquiring a wireless LED lighting company one year ago, Ring has also pushed aggressively in the field, and several new products were announced.
The Ring Floodlight lights up the surrounding while detecting motions. It has a wired version with 2000 lumens that requires an existing electrical box for US$69.99, and a wire-free battery version with 600 lumens for US$49.99.
A landscape light called Ring Transformer, which costs US$99.99, lets users control lights and change brightness in the Ring app. There is also a spotlight, a path light and a step light from the new offering.
All the Ring smart lighting products will be available on March 6. The company said it’s also exploring solar options for its smart lighting devices.