Amazon is set to elevate its Ring subscription services with the launch of Ring Home Premium, introducing a suite of enhanced features for its video doorbells and cameras. Scheduled to debut on November 5 in the U.S., this new tier will provide subscribers with 24/7 recording, AI-powered video search, and more, starting at $19.99 per month. For those seeking a budget-friendly option, the company will offer Ring Home Standard and Ring Home Basic, which include various functionalities but forgo the round-the-clock recording and advanced search features.
Under the leadership of CEO Liz Hamren, a former Microsoft executive, Ring has made significant strides, recently becoming the second-largest seller of security systems in the U.S. and achieving profitability six years after Amazon acquired the company for $1 billion. The changes to Ring’s subscription plans include a rebranding of its previous offerings: the old Ring Protect Basic will now be known as Ring Home Basic for $4.99 per month, while Ring Protect Plus will become Ring Home Standard at $9.99 per month. The former Ring Protect Pro plan will transition to either Ring Home Standard with alarm professional monitoring or Ring Home Premium, depending on the customer's choice.
All Ring Home subscribers will benefit from features such as person and package alerts, video preview alerts, and access to 180 days of video event history. Ring Home Standard users can also enjoy an extended live view, allowing them to watch video streams for up to 30 minutes. Meanwhile, both Ring Home Standard and Ring Home Premium subscribers will receive “doorbell calls” — notifications that resemble phone calls when someone presses the doorbell.
However, not all existing Ring owners will welcome the changes. Subscribers to the Ring Protect Pro plan will lose certain features, including local video storage and internet backup, starting on November 5. Additionally, those without a Ring Alarm or Ring Alarm Pro device will no longer have access to SOS emergency response. Many of these capabilities, along with additional monitoring features for Amazon's home robot Astro, will now be reserved for the premium tier.
For new customers with a Ring Alarm or Ring Alarm Pro, professional alarm monitoring will incur a fee of $10 per month after November 5, separate from Ring Home Premium. To mitigate the transition for current Ring Protect Pro customers, Amazon is offering a one-year trial of Ring Home Premium with alarm monitoring. After the trial period, users who wish to maintain this feature will need to pay the extra $10 monthly fee.
One of the standout features of Ring Home Premium is the Smart Video Search, designed to simplify the process of locating specific moments within recorded footage. Currently in public beta for select customers, this feature enables users to type queries into the Ring app, helping them find specific clips, such as a “raccoon in the backyard last night” or a “red bicycle in the driveway.” Amazon has assured users that Smart Video Search will include safeguards against potentially harmful content and will evolve based on user feedback.
Despite the excitement around these advancements, there are concerns regarding potential biases in the AI technology that powers the Smart Video Search. A recent MIT study revealed that AI models could exhibit biased behavior when analyzing footage from minority communities, prompting questions about how Amazon plans to address these issues. Amazon has stated its commitment to developing responsible AI, emphasizing a long-standing focus on privacy and customer feedback.
As Ring continues to innovate and compete in the security space, the introduction of Smart Video Search and the revamped subscription tiers highlight its ambition to enhance user experience while meeting the growing demands of the smart home market. With the launch of these features, Amazon aims to solidify Ring's position as a leader in home security technology.
