AMAZON has announced a suite of new features for its Ring home security devices.
The smart doorbells and security cameras can now speak to visitors, and will even warn intruders that they’re being watched.
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The tools are powered by Alexa, the artificial intelligence loaded into Amazon gizmos such as the Echo speaker range.
One feature added to the Ring Video Doorbell Pro is Alexa Greetings.
When activated, Alexa will automatically answer the door after a set period of time.
She can give instructions for deliveries and even take a message from visitors without any input from the user.
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As well as the pricey Video Doorbell Pro, you’ll need a Ring Protect subscription to use the feature, so it doesn’t come cheap.
A second addition unveiled by Amazon is quick replies.
If you can’t get to the door or don’t fancy speaking to visitors, you can pre-set responses for Alexa to give people at your door.
For instance, the robo-assistant can ask if people want to leave a message, or instruct deliverymen where to leave a package.
If the visitor leaves a message, you can listen to it in real time or access it later using the Ring app, provided you have Ring Protect.
What is Amazon Ring?
Ring is a home security and smart home company owned by Amazon.
It makes smart home security products that you can access via your smartphone.
Ring’s most famous gadget is its smart doorbell.
It has a camera and microphone installed and acts like a remote peephole you can access from anywhere.
Ring also makes smart security cameras, smart locks for your door and more.
Amazon bought Ring for over $1billion (£760million) in 2018.
The feature is available on all Ring doorbells except the Video Doorbell Wired.
Finally, Ring devices can now shout a warning at anyone snooping around your property.
Once activated, the feature, dubbed motion sensing, scans the area around your Ring device for movement.
If it detects anything, the doorbell say “Warning – you are now being monitored and recorded by Ring”.
Motion warnings can be turned on or off in the Alexa app and are available on all wired video doorbells except, strangely, the Video Doorbell Wired.
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What do you make of the new Ring features? Let us know in the comments!
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
