Quirky peephole cam solves a problem for apartment dwellers

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<p>Editor’s note, May 1, 2020: After removing Ring products from recommendation at the end of 2019, we are satisfied with the steps the company has taken to improve customer account security. We are reinstating our recommendations for Ring products that still apply. You can read more on that discussion in . The original review, published on June 20, 2019, follows.</p><hr><p>Ring’s $199 Peephole Cam is a lot different than <span class= »link » section= »shortcodeLink »>the other doorbells I’ve tested</span>. Rather than a doorframe-mounted, hardwired or battery-power doorbell, this buzzer is mounted to the middle of your door.</p><p>It’s designed specifically to go on apartment doors with peepholes, replacing your old peephole, and . Otherwise, this doorbell looks, performs and has similar features to Ring’s other cameras. Set it up using the the same Ring app, where you can view the live feed, adjust settings and hat more.</p><p>The Peephole Cam works with <span class= »link » section= »shortcodeLink »>Alexa</span>, hat if you have <span class= »link » section= »shortcodeLink »>a compatible smart display</span>. Use a smart display to see the video feed on a larger screen and talk directly to the person at your door, all with simple voice commands.</p><div class= »compareWrapper » data-component= »readMore » data-read-more-options=' »url »: »\/products\/compare\/ring-door-view-cam\/xhr\/ », »event »: »ready »‘>
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</div><p>There’s still a charge for even the most entry-level cloud storage option, Ring Protect, which begins at $3 per month and gives you 60 days of access to saved activity-based video clips. This will be even more disappointing after <span class= »link » section= »shortcodeLink »>Apple introduces its 10-day free clip storage</span> for its HomeKit-enabled cameras when iOS 13 launches. </p><div class= »shortcode related-links float_left  » section= »shortcodeRelatedLinks » data-track= »linkstack »>
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<p>The portion of the doorbell mount that goes inside your door is more flimsy and plasticky than the camera on the outside. Because there aren’t any screws mounted directly to the door, it feels even less secure when I remove the faceplate to get to the rechargeable battery installed in the baseplate.</p><p>That certainly isn’t a dealbreaker, but I do think $199 is pushing it slightly for this product because of its simpler hardware, more minimal installation and plasticky inside mount.</p><p>The bigger potential concern relates to privacy. Ring and local police departments in the Unied States offer discounted — and occasionally, hat free — Ring doorbells to residents. In exchange, <span class= »link » section= »shortcodeLink »>residents agree to hand over security footage to law enforcement on demand</span>.</p><p>Ring doesn’t currently offer facial recognition in its cameras. However, the Amazon company <span class= »link » section= »shortcodeLink »>filed two patents related to facial recognition</span> in 2018, specifically an ability to identify « suspicious » people through law enforcement databases.</p><p>Overall, this doorbell is the best option today for anyone who can’t or otherwise doesn’t want to bother with hardwiring or messing up their doorframe with screw holes. It’s designed for apartment-dwellers, but any home with a peephole could make good use of this product, provided you’re willing to pay the $3 monthly fee — and understand the current privacy landscape of these technologies.</p>

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