Amazon Acquiring Video Doorbell Maker Ring, but HomeKit Support is Still Coming

[MacRumors]

Amazon is acquiring Ring, the company that makes a range of WiFi-enabled home security products that include video doorbells, reports GeekWire. The two companies are expected to officially announce the acquisition news later this afternoon, but provided a statement to GeekWire.

"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."

Many customers who own Ring products have been eagerly awaiting integration with Apple's HomeKit platform, and though Amazon is purchasing the company, Ring has this afternoon promised on Twitter that support is still coming. According to Ring, HomeKit support is being tested for Ring Pro and the Floodlight Cam, with the company promising to offer details on a release date following once testing is completed.

HomeKit support is a feature that Ring has been promising for some time. In October, for example, Ring said bringing HomeKit support to its Ring Pro and Floodlight Cam was an "ongoing project" but had "been delayed." Ring support for Amazon's Alexa products has been available for months now.

HomeKit is definitely still happening! We're testing HomeKit for the Ring Pro and the Floodlight Cam, and as soon as testing is completed, we'll update everyone with a release date. - Ring (@ring) February 27, 2018

Ring has been offering video doorbells for several years now, and recently expanded its product lineup with additional cameras and a new range of connected lights added to the Ring lineup through an acquisition of Mr. Beam.

Amazon has recently become interested in smart home-related companies, and back in December, purchased Blink, another company that offers home security cameras and video doorbells. Amazon has also released its own home security camera, the Cloud Cam.

Amazon's interest in smart home products stems from its Amazon Echo line of products, which offer Alexa integration and allow users to control their third-party smart home devices. Alexa works with many of the smart home products on the market today.

Article Link: Amazon Acquiring Video Doorbell Maker Ring, but HomeKit Support is Still Coming

 

[tigres]

Wow, this surprises me. Love RING products. Amazon will rule the world someday it seems.

 

[sniffies]

I remember Doorbot (now Ring) getting rejected on Shark Tank. They've come a long way, I'd say.

 

[timborama]

This is good. Maybe Amazon can fix the issues with Ring. It’s a great product, but not without some issues. HomeKit support is inconsequential.

 

[SD449]

Glad I returned mine as an Apple lover and a current google home user this is exactly what I wanted to avoid.

I am only trying to buy products that (already) support both systems, Philips Hue, Tado at the moment and I am strongly considering the Logitech Circle 2

 

[jdillings]

I'm sure it will come eventually but with Amazon buying it, expect Amazon to press pause on adding HomeKit support for a few years and drag out the wait for it as long as possible like they did with the Amazon app for Apple TV.

 

[EatinPonies]

Unbelievable.

I chose a Ring Pro simply because they are the industry leader on this thing and HomeKit support was a no-brainer for them to support, even though they had done nothing but say "It's coming!" for literally 2 years now.

Now that Amazon has them, am I *really* supposed to believe their crap still? They were on very thin ice with regards to delivering what their customers were asking for, and this honestly looks like it will be the final nail in the coffin for HomeKit support. They can say "I promise!" all they want but it's worth nothing at this point.

 

[SithNerfHerder]

Well it looks like the RingPro will never have HomeKit support now....guess I need to start shopping for a new doorbell cam.

 

[magicschoolbus]

Amazon will rule us all; and our politicians will do nothing about it in fear of a smear campaign in the AmazonWashingtonPost

Apple's time has ended. It's Amazon's turn now.

 

[blackjackmark]

I was just thinking over the weekend when I got one that I wished Apple would buy them.

 

[Jimmdean]

I got one of these just before Christmas, but haven't installed it yet due to the season. I'm normally not a fan of Amazon stuff, but at least this is not inside the house. Is there even a better option right now that is more compatible with the Apple ecosystem?

I'm a big fan of Blink - looks like their video doorbell comes out soon.

---doh--- Amazon bought them too... lol

 

[FelixDerKater]

Can two bad cameras make one good one?

 

[veeco3110]

Amazon will rule us all; and our politicians will do nothing about it in fear of a smear campaign in the AmazonWashingtonPost

Apple's time has ended. It's Amazon's turn now.

How do you figure apples time has ended?

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

When their own doorbell didn't sell, might as well buy someone making a product well beyond and integrate it with your services.

 

[Rorosbutt]

They are probably buying for Rings patents. You think amazon couldn’t come up with a ring of their own? Money is in intellectual property

 

[utwarreng]

Call me a skeptic but I see this working out about as well as Google acquiring Nest. Stifled innovation, long product update turn around times, lackluster software updates. How disappointing

 

[BaggieBoy]

Hopefully the fee for storing video in the cloud will become a Prime "benefit.

 

[jamesnajera]

Will amazon now watch for my amazon packages to be delivered safely?

 

[mark-in-mk]

Will amazon now watch for my amazon packages to be delivered safely?

Probably, integrate QR code reading software to the Ring, and the Amazon door lock thingy and youve got an integrated solution that lets you watch your parcels being delivered.

 

[macduke]

Dammit. I just got a Ring Pro for Christmas and the Floodlight cam a couple weeks ago. I don’t want Amazon snooping on me!! And there is no way they’ll get HomeKit now. Hopefully we can at least get IFTTT at some point.

I bought a Nest at my old house and then Google bought them. Luckily it wasn’t long after that when we moved and I bought an Ecobee, but now Ecobee is putting that Alexa crap into all their new products!

I also bought that iGrill from iDevices and then Weber bought it. I’m tired of all these companies selling out and ruining things.

I was pretty well set on buying Ring’s new security system, but not any more!

I love buying stuff from Amazon, but I don’t trust them when it comes to snooping on me. I use Ghostery and 1Blocker to keep sites from tracking me around the web, but they do have my purchase history. Given all the talk about Amazon and the CIA I’m worried about them monitoring my house 24/7. I’ll have to snoop the packets going out from those devices from time to time.

The doorbell cam was a gift for my wife because she runs a daycare in our basement and wants to check on who is at our door from time to time and had trouble hearing the doorbell most times. The back camera was for peace of mind and monitoring wildlife that would sneak into our yard (mostly raccoons) so I could humanely trap and release them in the country because they rip up the grass out of my yard leaving large bald patches. Now I have no idea what to replace them with.

 

[Bswails]

Anyone else feel like Alexa and google for the home and Siri for the speaker? I want HomeKit to work because I am a Apple user but it’s looking like a big mountain for Apple to climb

 

[Volusia]

Amazon already bought a competitive brand, Blink. I am using three Blink cameras and am very satisfied. Looks like they want to corner the market...

 

[vipergts2207]

I got one of these just before Christmas, but haven't installed it yet due to the season. I'm normally not a fan of Amazon stuff, but at least this is not inside the house. Is there even a better option right now that is more compatible with the Apple ecosystem?

I'm a big fan of Blink - looks like their video doorbell comes out soon.

---doh--- Amazon bought them too... lol

Netatmo makes a HomeKit compatible floodlight camera.

Unbelievable.

I chose a Ring Pro simply because they are the industry leader on this thing and HomeKit support was a no-brainer for them to support, even though they had done nothing but say "It's coming!" for literally 2 years now.

Now that Amazon has them, am I *really* supposed to believe their crap still? They were on very thin ice with regards to delivering what their customers were asking for, and this honestly looks like it will be the final nail in the coffin for HomeKit support. They can say "I promise!" all they want but it's worth nothing at this point.

This is why all my smart home products have been compatible with HomeKit on day one. I’m not going to wait around on empty promises.

 

[xpxp2002]

Probably, integrate QR code reading software to the Ring, and the Amazon door lock thingy and youve got an integrated solution that lets you watch your parcels being delivered.

They’re probably buying to provide in-home delivery via AMZL to compete with this: https://techcrunch.com/2017/09/21/w...t-in-home-delivery-of-packages-and-groceries/

 

[EW800]

Oh, this makes me sick... I’ve been using the Ring Spotlight Cam for about two months now and love it. I was so close to purchasing another, but not sure now. I suspect this may not be good for consumers.

Any idea what will happen to Ring employees? I’ve called Ring Support a couple of times and have been amazed by support - top notch. I just don’t see that happening under Amazon...