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Ring unveils new smart home products, takes a first step towards better privacy
CES 2020 kicks off this week, and Ring has joined the party with six new products in Las Vegas. But the firm has also updated its mobile app in the wake of a major privacy scandal.
Ring’s first major announcement is the Ring Access Controller Pro. The device marks the company’s debut in the access control space, allowing users to remotely control their access gate via a smart device.
The Ring Access Controller Pro naturally integrates with the Ring Video Doorbell and Cam, and the firm says it also offers “Key by Amazon” functionality to secure Amazon packages inside their gate.
Ring had a few more products to show off in Las Vegas, starting with three solar-powered outdoor smart lighting devices: the Solar Floodlight, Solar Steplight, and Solar Pathlight. All three will be available from April 1, 2020 on Ring’s website, Amazon, and Best Buy Home Depot.
The firm’s two final products announced at CES 2020 are the Alexa-enabled A19 and PAR38 Smart LED light bulbs. These new light bulbs will be available via Amazon, Home Depot, and Ring’s website from April 1, 2020. Neither the smart LED light bulbs nor the solar lights have pricing just yet.
Ring also announced a major change to the app, as it’s now included a Control Center menu to manage security and privacy options. More specifically, the Control Center will initially “let users see and manage their connected mobile, desktop and tablet devices, third-party services, as well as enable customers to opt out of receiving video requests in areas where local police have joined the Neighbors app.”
Ring says a future Control Center update will let users “easily view and control other privacy and security settings.” News of the Control Center addition comes a short while after it emerged that Ring cameras were being hacked by cyber-criminals.
Ring is far from the only smart home company to be afflicted by hacks, but its security was still left wanting by smart home standards. While we’re glad to see the Control Center update, we hope Ring plans to significantly beef up its security — especially if it wants to own the access control space.