Roger Fingas
Ring on Monday launched the Video Doorbell 2, a Mac-, iPhone-, and iPad-compatible smarthome accessory that makes several key upgrades over its predecessor.
The new model records in 1080p instead of 720p, and offers better infrared night vision, according to Ring. Also new is a removable, rechargeable battery pack for owners who can't use wired power — the original Doorbell required people wanting to recharge to take the entire device inside every 6 to 12 months.
The Doorbell 2 has a 160-degree field of view, with a 180-degree horizontal motion detection angle. It also sports two-way audio, and swappable faceplates for matching different home exteriors.
For video streaming, the device relies on 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi and companion apps for iOS, Mac, Android, and Windows 10. It doesn't yet support Apple's HomeKit, although Ring says other products — the Pro and the Floodlight Cam — should gain support by the end of the year.
That's likely possible because of recently-announced HomeKit changes, specifically support for software-based authentication. The new policy will allow some existing devices to gain HomeKit through firmware updates.
Ring is selling the Video Doorbell 2 for $199. The product offers live streaming and security alerts by default, but cloud video storage costs $30 per year for an individual camera, or $100 per year for unlimited cameras.
Malcolm Owen
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Andrew Orr
20 Comments
I Bought the Ring Pro the day it was announced it would support Homekit by the end of the year back in June of 2016... The Ring Forums kept promising by the end of the year, until the end of the year came and then they promised first part of 2017, til that passed now were promised end of 2017. So will we actually get homekit support, no body knows...
It reminds me of the iPod Nano.
Good. This very high end doorbell will be able to video the person who steals it.