Ring also tips a new Spotlight Cam Plus and second-gen and Ring Alarm Panic Button. Plus, new low cost options from Amazon's Blink brand.
I started out covering tech policy in Washington, D.C. for The National Journal's Technology Daily, where my beat included state-level tech news and all the congressional hearings and FCC meetings I could handle. After a move to New York City, I covered Wall Street trading tech at Incisive Media before switching gears to consumer tech and PCMag. I now lead PCMag's news coverage and manage our how-to content.
If you're looking to upgrade your home security setup this fall, Amazon's Ring and Blink brands has several new ways to keep tabs on your packages as well as who's snooping around your yard.
Up first is a Pro version of the Ring Spotlight Cam that uses the radar-based 3D Motion Detection found on the pro versions of the Ring Video Doorbell and Floodlight Cam. It'll capture how people approach or wander around your property, letting you set a "specific threshold of when you want your camera to start detecting motion," Ring says. If it senses someone, it'll start recording and send an alert to your mobile device.
Ring Spotlight Cam Pro also includes Bird’s Eye View, which offers an aerial map of where visitors to your home go when they're on your property via gray dots that light up their path. Watch it in Live View or via Event History if you have a Ring Protect Plan.
Pre-order the Pro now. The battery, plug-in and solar versions launch Oct. 26. Sign up to be notified about the wired version.
Ring Spotlight Cam Pro, Battery(Opens in a new window) - $229.99
Ring Spotlight Cam Pro, Plug-in(Opens in a new window) - $229.99
Ring Spotlight Cam Pro, Solar(Opens in a new window) - $249.99
Ring Spotlight Cam Pro, Wired(Opens in a new window) - $249.99
If you don't need to go Pro, save $30 with the new Spotlight Cam Plus, which gets a "new, sleek look," according to Ring, though it looks pretty similar to its predecessor. It still features Two-Way Talk, Color Night Vision, Live View, and a security siren. It'll be available in Solar, Battery, Wired, and Plug-In versions. Pre-order the plug-in or battery version now for $199.99(Opens in a new window) ; both arrive on Oct. 26. The solar version is $229.99(Opens in a new window) , and it also launches Oct. 26. The wired version(Opens in a new window) is $229.99, but a launch date hasn't been announced.
It's not as fancy as a tricked-out panic room, but the second-gen Ring Alarm Panic Button(Opens in a new window) can be mounted to your wall or placed on a flat surface and smashed when you're in distress. Setting options include Panic, Medical, or Fire, which you can set in the Ring app. It needs to be connected to a Ring Alarm Security Kit; and this second-gen Panic Button is compatible with all Ring Alarm generations. Pre-order it for $29.99.
The Blink brand is a more affordable way to secure your home, and in the coming months, the hardwired Blink Wired Floodlight Camera(Opens in a new window) will offer motion detection that can identify people to limit alert notifications. It has 2600 lumens of LED lighting, 1080p HD live view, and two-way audio. Store video clips locally on a USB flash drive or pay for a Blink Subscription Plan to store video clips and photos in the cloud. A launch date hasn't been announced, but it'll be $99.99.
For monitoring the inside of your house, the Blink Mini Pan Tilt builds on the existing Blink Mini to add a motorized mount that can pan left and right and tilt up and down via the Blink app for 360-degree coverage of any room. If you already have a Blink Mini, you can add the mount via a micro-USB for $29.99. The entire setup is $59.99(Opens in a new window) . Both are available for pre-order now in the US and Canada and launch Oct. 26.
This one's for businesses, but Ring will soon begin trialing a virtual security guard option with its Amazon Astro robot. Businesses that have Ring Alarm and Alarm Pro could tell Astro to go investigate if an alarm is triggered. The robot could also just patrol during off hours.
"As part of our vision, if your Ring Alarm is triggered, agents can remotely operate Astro to get a closer look at something, or use Two-Way Talk to inform an intruder that authorities have been called," according to Ring, which will test this with "a small group of business customers in the coming months."
Sign up for What's New Now to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every morning.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!
I started out covering tech policy in Washington, D.C. for The National Journal's Technology Daily, where my beat included state-level tech news and all the congressional hearings and FCC meetings I could handle. After a move to New York City, I covered Wall Street trading tech at Incisive Media before switching gears to consumer tech and PCMag. I now lead PCMag's news coverage and manage our how-to content.
PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering lab-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.
© 1996-2022 Ziff Davis. PCMag Digital Group
PCMag, PCMag.com and PC Magazine are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag. If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant.