Amazon acquires smart doorbell manufacturer Ring, HomeKit still on the way [u]
App-enabled doorbell manufacturer Ring has been bought by Amazon, adding to its lineup of security-related home automation products -- but work and certification of HomeKit for the Ring Pro and Floodlight are still ongoing.
Ring, previously backed by the Alexa Fund, is expected to remain an independent business. The terms of the deal have not as of yet been announced.
"Ring is committed to our mission to reduce crime in neighborhoods by providing effective yet affordable home security tools to our neighbors that make a positive impact on our homes, our communities, and the world," a Ring spokesperson said in a statement. "We'll be able to achieve even more by partnering with an inventive, customer-centric company like Amazon. We look forward to being a part of the Amazon team as we work toward our vision for safer neighborhoods."
Ring CEO Jamie Siminoff previously was cautious about his company's relationship with Amazon, likening the e-commerce giant to the pros and cons of nuclear power.
"To say Amazon will not compete with you is lunacy because they compete with everybody," Siminoff said in Sept. 2017. "They're like nuclear power. They are very, very powerful and you can get amazing, clean energy from them but there's also the possibility of getting human radiation if you're not careful."
In June 2017, Ring launched the Video Doorbell 2, the latest incarnation of the company's offerings. At the time it said that the Video Doorbell Pro and the Floodlight Cam would see HomeKit integration before the end of the year -- but that has yet to materialize.
Update: Shortly after the announcement was made about the purchase, Ring confirmed to users that HomeKit support was still coming for the Ring Pro and the Floodlight Cam.
Ring, previously backed by the Alexa Fund, is expected to remain an independent business. The terms of the deal have not as of yet been announced.
"Ring is committed to our mission to reduce crime in neighborhoods by providing effective yet affordable home security tools to our neighbors that make a positive impact on our homes, our communities, and the world," a Ring spokesperson said in a statement. "We'll be able to achieve even more by partnering with an inventive, customer-centric company like Amazon. We look forward to being a part of the Amazon team as we work toward our vision for safer neighborhoods."
Ring CEO Jamie Siminoff previously was cautious about his company's relationship with Amazon, likening the e-commerce giant to the pros and cons of nuclear power.
"To say Amazon will not compete with you is lunacy because they compete with everybody," Siminoff said in Sept. 2017. "They're like nuclear power. They are very, very powerful and you can get amazing, clean energy from them but there's also the possibility of getting human radiation if you're not careful."
In June 2017, Ring launched the Video Doorbell 2, the latest incarnation of the company's offerings. At the time it said that the Video Doorbell Pro and the Floodlight Cam would see HomeKit integration before the end of the year -- but that has yet to materialize.
Update: Shortly after the announcement was made about the purchase, Ring confirmed to users that HomeKit support was still coming for the Ring Pro and the Floodlight Cam.
HomeKit is definitely still in the works. As soon as testing is completed for the Ring Pro and Floodlight Cam, we'll partner with Apple to provide you with an updated release date.
-- Ring (@ring)
Comments
If i recall, Ring was on Shark Tank
They're working on their own courier service. Their own couriers who have access to their customers' homes, to deliver their packages for their customers. I'm intentionally phrasing this with the possessive form, because they think their customers don't have privacy concerns with them doing any of this.
You can set up a homekit device in the Home App, and not need to have the devices' app downloaded or signed into. This does prevent you from getting firmware updates, which can be required when an OS update breaks compatibility.
however I’m quite interested in it all. Being the tinkerer/maker that I am though, The other day I bought a couple raspberry pi’s to see if I can hack a couple things out on my own jftfoi.
It’s like the ago old fable. No one will believe them if they ever release it with Home kit enabled.
Unlikely with Shamazon at the wheel.
My Garage Door Opener is Siri controlled, HomeKit supported. As such, using Apple's HOME App, I have the Garage Door Linked to my Garage Lights, at least on one side of the garage that we go though as we use the garage instead of the front door to come and go. Using Homekit Wifi Light Switches. So when the door opens, the light comes on, and when the door closes the lights go off. It's great at night with so much more light then the little light that comes with the bulbs of the garage door opener. It works wither I use Siri, or I hit the button on the wall. Makes no difference. It's great!!!!
So I can see linking things to a RING Doorbell also though Apple's HOME App. Besides in general, it would be faster to just ask Siri to view the video of Ring, then Unlocking Phone and finding and loading up a app.