The smart doorbell Ring is one of the most popular models on the market in this country. This may be due in no small part to the fact that a monthly subscription was previously optional and only enabled premium features. This is likely to come to an end soon. After all, even basic functions are to be linked to a paid subscription in the near future.
Ring makes subscription mandatory for core features
Payment-happy customers have been able to pay regular money for Ring’s smart home gadgets for some time now. This involves a choice of subscription packages that allow remote access to online storage, for example. Now the company seems to have sold so many doorbells and surveillance cameras that it dares to go a step further. Finally, it now wants to combine even core functions with a monthly fee. Ring’s new subscription policy is to apply as early as March 29, 2023. However, users in this country can breathe a sigh of relief. At least for the time being. After all, the new prices will initially apply in the US. Of course, there is still no blanket obligation to take out a subscription.
- Also interesting: Lidl smart home devices switch to Homematic IP
Devices such as the smart doorbell with integrated camera also work without a subscription. But in doing so, one then forgoes, for example, previously free features such as the popular “Home and Away” mode. This ensures that you do not receive permanent notifications about motion detections when you are at home anyway. On the other hand, the detection is automatically switched on again when you leave your own four walls. While Ring’s doorbell is likely to reduce user comfort first and foremost, some security products even sacrifice the core factor of security. For example, the “Ring Alarm” alarm system can no longer be switched on and off via smartphone or voice control without a suitable subscription.
- Have you seen this? Ring: Amazon subsidiary’s surveillance cameras share videos with police without consent
Implementation in Europe still uncertain
It will be exciting to see how US users will react to the new regulations. What is certain is that a big run on the manufacturer’s devices will now most certainly begin. After all, the new subscription clauses only apply to Ring gadgets that users register from March 29, 2023. It is not yet known when the new regulations will also apply in this country. It is possible that Ring will start a trial run in the U.S. before the new subscription regulations also apply in the EU. It is also uncertain how the manufacturer intends to proceed in the long term with customers who already have a Ring product in operation. Will they soon have to take out a subscription to continue using the functions as usual?
