Review: Ring's Floodlight Cam Offers Convenient Home Security, but HomeKit Support Still Missing

[MacRumors]

Back in January, Ring introduced its motion-activated Floodlight Cam, pairing a security camera with two bright floodlights to help protect users' homes. The Floodlight Cam began shipping in April, and I've been using one for about six weeks to monitor the rear of my house. It's a handy product that lets you keep tabs on movement around your home, with push notifications, live and recorded camera views, and the ability to use two-way talk and a siren to communicate with people approaching your home.

The hardwired Floodlight Cam includes a pair of floodlights with a 270-degree motion sensor, combined with a camera capable of 1080p HD video, enhanced night vision, 140-degree field of view, and a cloud recording subscription plan. It's priced at $249 (or $449 for a two-pack) and is available in black or white.


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Article Link: Review: Ring's Floodlight Cam Offers Convenient Home Security, but HomeKit Support Still Missing

 

[jojo103]

In mid 2016 they promised Homekit support by the end of 2016.

http://web.archive.org/web/20160620...06/16/bringing-apple-homekit-support-to-ring/

 

[Erpeters3]

HomeKit adoption has really frustrated me as an owner of the Ring Pro and the floodlight. I recently emailed the CEO and he basically pointed to ongoing work with no commitments. Frustrating. That said I installed the floodlight horizontally and it works perfectly.

 

[munpip214]

If it is anything like any other companies promising Homekit support, don't expect it. Look at Chamberlain, promised for two years for Homekit support and then when it finally came they require purchasing a hub.

So don't bet that it will eventually add support. If you really need a security cam, then get it, but don't be too disappointed if Homekit doesn't come. Be patient and eventually a compatible device will come from someone.

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

That's a lot of money to spend on a camera most will hardly ever use. Seems to make a lot more sense to just go with a cheap alternative for 1/4 the price.
[doublepost=1507755375][/doublepost]

If it is anything like any other companies promising Homekit support, don't expect it. Look at Chamberlain, promised for two years for Homekit support and then when it finally came they require purchasing a hub.

So don't bet that it will eventually add support. If you really need a security cam, then get it, but don't be too disappointed if Homekit doesn't come. Be patient and eventually a compatible device will come from someone.

The HomeKit requirements use to specifically say no hub could be used. The purpose of HomeKit was to join all types of gadgets together without the need for a central hub (yes the Apple TV can act as one but one isn't needed).

 

[4jasontv]

Doesn't anyone make a dongle that adds homekit support to any camera or light? Then I can buy cameras from camera people, lights from light people, and replace them with any vender.

 

[nwcs]

The bane of astronomers everywhere. The “fear of the dark” lights. Usually obnoxiously pointed and bright. They’re not very effective in reality:

http://www.npr.org/2016/02/23/466603833/should-you-leave-your-lights-on-at-night-it-depends

 

[imola.zhp]

The bane of astronomers everywhere. The “fear of the dark” lights. Usually obnoxiously pointed and bright. They’re not very effective in reality:

http://www.npr.org/2016/02/23/466603833/should-you-leave-your-lights-on-at-night-it-depends

Um... That article says motion lights help thieves because it lights up what they are doing and no one is there to see them. Uh, thats the point of this Ring device, the lights come on and the camera records what is going on. It also sends alerts to mobile devices, iPads and chimes if so configured. Ours is set to only come on if there is motion and it only stays on for 3 minutes.

-------

We love ours, its fun to see what goes on at home when you are away from home and from time to time you get some interesting videos of you and your better half changing parking configurations. Also neighbors doing odd things at odd hours of the day and night.

 

[expiredyogurt]

what does this product have to do with apple? is this what MR has become? just randomly take a product and review it despite not having anything to do with apple? doesnt even have homekit so why is it event an article here at all? did they pay MR to write it and publish it here?

 

[ke-iron]

When would these companies realize they’re alienating potential customers. No HomeKit support. No buy.

 

[agenda893]

They also updated their app today to add a running man icon to motion alerts - which has ruined notifications on the apple watch. Now when the alert comes in you just see the huge icon, and have to scroll down to see which camera it was and to dismiss the alert. This ruins being able to quickly glance at the notification to see if it matters. Hopefully they realize the mistake and fix it soon - so far my emails about it have gone unanswered.

 

[avanpelt]

When would these companies realize they’re alienating potential customers. No HomeKit support. No buy.

HomeKit support is probably not the be-all-end-all for the average consumer -- at least not yet. Apple has done an absolutely piss poor job of explaining to the average user why HomeKit is important and why they, as consumers, should outfit their home with HomeKit-enabled devices as opposed to non-HomeKit-enabled devices.

And no, being able to use the "Home" app as a centralized place to control all your HomeKit-enabled devices is not a good reason to buy HomeKit-enabled devices in and of itself; nor is being able to use Siri to control your devices. The Home app looks like something that could've been developed five years ago by someone with little to no UI/UX experience; and Siri control works well so long as Siri understands what you're saying (she frequently misunderstands me when I say "On" or "Off" and she hears the opposite of what I said).

HomeKit, the Home app, and Siri control of HomeKit-enabled devices still feels very much like a beta experience to me. So, in essence, what I read your statement as was, "No beta software support. No buy."

 

[Ryanhdd]

HomeKit support is probably not the be-all-end-all for the average consumer -- at least not yet. Apple has done an absolutely piss poor job of explaining to the average user why HomeKit is important and why they, as consumers, should outfit their home with HomeKit-enabled devices as opposed to non-HomeKit-enabled devices.

And no, being able to use the "Home" app as a centralized place to control all your HomeKit-enabled devices is not a good reason to buy HomeKit-enabled devices in and of itself; nor is being able to use Siri to control your devices. The Home app looks like something that could've been developed five years ago by someone with little to no UI/UX experience; and Siri control works well so long as Siri understands what you're saying (she frequently misunderstands me when I say "On" or "Off" and she hears the opposite of what I said).

HomeKit, the Home app, and Siri control of HomeKit-enabled devices still feels very much like a beta experience to me. So, in essence, what I read your statement as was, "No beta software support. No buy."

I agree 100 percent. The home app blows it’s confusing and not easy to use. Siri only works half the time. Sad they cannot get it correct.

 

[nwcs]

Um... That article says motion lights help thieves because it lights up what they are doing and no one is there to see them. Uh, thats the point of this Ring device, the lights come on and the camera records what is going on. It also sends alerts to mobile devices, iPads and chimes if so configured. Ours is set to only come on if there is motion and it only stays on for 3 minutes.

-------

We love ours, its fun to see what goes on at home when you are away from home and from time to time you get some interesting videos of you and your better half changing parking configurations. Also neighbors doing odd things at odd hours of the day and night.

My comment was about these types of lights in general. The majority stay on all night and are of dubious value. I’ve also noticed how the marketing of these devices is all FUD: fear, uncertainty and doubt.

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2007/08/20/the-dark-side-2

http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2007/09/light_and_crime.html#c201584

 

[Robert.Walter]

I want to buy many of these products for my home, and for that of my mother. I tell friends and acquaintances when discussing the topic that if they care about security they will ONLY buy devices with HomeKit functionality.

I will not buy any device, no matter how compelling otherwise, if it does not have HomeKit.

I will likely not buy a product that requires me to buy a hub. I already have a hub, it is called Apple TV.

 

[Smedinas]

I think it’s important to make it clear that when this Floodlight became available for pre-order, it was advertised as a HomeKit device. It was later updated to HomeKit will be available after launch and then no mention of it on their site. I’ve had many calls with them and their technical and sales support teams once I noticed the removal of HomeKit mentions on their page. I currently own 4 of their products and wish I could return them. I was an early adopter, that had to have them replaced several times, pre-ordered my product with at a premium price with expectation of high quality and the idea of purchasing a HomeKit device. I’m still waiting and dealing with their buggy apps. Ring has potential but i’ll continue to feel deceived until they deliver on their original pre-order promise.

 

[avanpelt]

I will likely not buy a product that requires me to buy a hub. I already have a hub, it is called Apple TV.

You likely won’t be buying a lot of HomeKit-compatible products, then. Apple didn’t design Apple TV to be a hub replacement for IoT devices that require a hub — at least not yet.

They designed Apple TV to be an always-on device that allows you to access your HomeKit-compatible devices using both Siri or the Home app from outside your home without you needing to screw around with port forwarding on your router.

 

[FX120]

Meh, as a security cam this will be worthless. Most people will mount them up high, and the wide fov will limit how likely you are to get a IDable recording. Low light performance isn’t all that great based on their doorbell.

There are really good ONVIF compatible, professional quality, power zoom security cameras with DSLR level low light performance available for under $170 that would humiliate this thing. Anyone interested in serious home surveillance should invest in hardwired solutions that don’t require a cloud subscription to get to the recordings, and use professional level cameras that can actually perform well in low light situations.

 

[imronburgundy]

what does this product have to do with apple? is this what MR has become? just randomly take a product and review it despite not having anything to do with apple? doesnt even have homekit so why is it event an article here at all? did they pay MR to write it and publish it here?

iOS app access? I for one found it informative and didn't even know a flood light/camera combination was even available.

 

[imola.zhp]

My comment was about these types of lights in general. The majority stay on all night and are of dubious value. I’ve also noticed how the marketing of these devices is all FUD: fear, uncertainty and doubt.

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2007/08/20/the-dark-side-2

http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2007/09/light_and_crime.html#c201584

So your comment was about floodlights, not floodlights with an internet connected camera. Got it. I'm not sure that we got ours out of fear, we don't park outside and we have an alarm system (that we use), deadbolts, anti-kick plates, etc, etc. More of a natural progression after adding a ring video doorbell which we bought so we could "answer" the door while away from home. Its unfortunate, but playing on peoples emotions sells products, this is not anything new or ground breaking.

 

[scouser75]

Um... That article says motion lights help thieves because it lights up what they are doing and no one is there to see them. Uh, thats the point of this Ring device, the lights come on and the camera records what is going on. It also sends alerts to mobile devices, iPads and chimes if so configured. Ours is set to only come on if there is motion and it only stays on for 3 minutes.

-------

We love ours, its fun to see what goes on at home when you are away from home and from time to time you get some interesting videos of you and your better half changing parking configurations. Also neighbors doing odd things at odd hours of the day and night.

I want to put this at the front of the house overlooking my driveway. But would the flood lights blind all that approach the house? Also is it possible to limit the level of light?

 

[imola.zhp]

I want to put this at the front of the house overlooking my driveway. But would the flood lights blind all that approach the house? Also is it possible to limit the level of light?

Ours does not blind us, but no, there is not a way to dim the lights. I am not sure if this can be added via a software update in the future or if the LED's used are not dim-able. This would be a great question to send to Ring, or send as a feature request. I personally do not like all of the light pollution that comes with living in the city, which is where we live, so we have it set off and to only come on if there is motion.

 

[scouser75]

Ours does not blind us, but no, there is not a way to dim the lights. I am not sure if this can be added via a software update in the future or if the LED's used are not dim-able. This would be a great question to send to Ring, or send as a feature request. I personally do not like all of the light pollution that comes with living in the city, which is where we live, so we have it set off and to only come on if there is motion.

Thanks mate. And im with you about light pollution. Where I live it's like LED central. All the houses with near enough 24/7 led's on.

And I'll email ring tomorrow with my q's. At the same time I'll cheekily ask about Home kit support - not that I'm fussed about it!!

 

[ke-iron]

HomeKit support is probably not the be-all-end-all for the average consumer -- at least not yet. Apple has done an absolutely piss poor job of explaining to the average user why HomeKit is important and why they, as consumers, should outfit their home with HomeKit-enabled devices as opposed to non-HomeKit-enabled devices.

And no, being able to use the "Home" app as a centralized place to control all your HomeKit-enabled devices is not a good reason to buy HomeKit-enabled devices in and of itself; nor is being able to use Siri to control your devices. The Home app looks like something that could've been developed five years ago by someone with little to no UI/UX experience; and Siri control works well so long as Siri understands what you're saying (she frequently misunderstands me when I say "On" or "Off" and she hears the opposite of what I said).

HomeKit, the Home app, and Siri control of HomeKit-enabled devices still feels very much like a beta experience to me. So, in essence, what I read your statement as was, "No beta software support. No buy."

Sorry Siri doesn’t understand you, but the rest is your opinion, but I am slowly converting everything to HomeKit supported products, and it works just great all the time. The home app could’ve been designed better but it works as advertised as long as you have a good home network. Apple doesn’t need to explain to the user what HomeKit is. That is the job of the 3rd party manufacturers to do that. They sell the devices that work on HomeKit so it is their duty to let the customers know what that device they purchased can do.

 

[aristobrat]

I agree 100 percent. The home app blows it’s confusing and not easy to use.

Don’t like Apple’s Home app?

Then control your house from Elgato’s Eve app, or the ConnectSense app, or any of the other third-party HomeKit apps.

HomeKit control is not exclusive to Apple’s Home app.