When screening your calls isn’t enough.
I rarely answer the door, to the point that some people might call me a recluse. I hate surveys, don’t want to hear a sales pitch in my sweatpants, and even prefer to avoid the delivery person (they’ll just leave it anyway, right?).
For these reasons, the Ring video doorbell definitely has my attention. A refined iteration on their previous product, the Doorbot, Ring adds an extra layer of convenience and security to your front porch.
The moment a visitor presses your doorbell, your smart phone receives a notification and link to a live video feed with voice chat. This is where the magic happens: you can tell UPS to “leave the package out back,” or tell a shifty character that you’re practicing ninjitsu and can’t come to the door.
Factor in night vision, available cloud video recording, and a lifetime replacement program if it’s stolen, and you have the recipe for a killer addition to your burgeoning smart home.
Ring is available in a variety of colors for $249 this holiday season; if you order before December 15th (like I have), you can snatch it up for $50 off.
Special Note: I got word earlier this week that I’m receiving a beta unit from the Ring team to kick the tires. Check back in the very near future for an early hands-on!
I WANT THIS SO MUCH. Sigh. I wish I had $249 sitting around for it! 🙂
While not cheap, that’s an extremely reasonably price (if it works as advertised). Costs as much as a Dropcam if you preorder, with a whole lot more functionality built in.
What is a beta version of the Ring Doorbell?
The folks at Ring sent an email out last week to spread the word about a small closed beta of the final hardware. I made the cut, and should have one in my hands shortly to put through its paces.
THe real unit has shipped….where is your review?
They selected me for the beta, and then went dark except for some random emails here and there. Last I heard the units are shipping and supposed to arrive in early January. That’s how these things go sometimes.
Hi Eric my name is Michael Strachan I am totally deaf and am trying to connect my apple3 watch to the Ring doorbell so that the watch vibrates which would alert me that someone is at the door can you help me as to where I could find instructions to connect these together,a great help if you could and send to my Email address is possible pappams@bigpond.com