Amazon-Owned Ring Launches Entry-Level $60 Home Video Doorbell

(Bloomberg) -- Ring, Amazon.com Inc.’s smart home security division, on Wednesday launched a $60 home doorbell, its cheapest model to date.

The gadget, which lets homeowners talk to visitors via audio and video, is called the Ring Video Doorbell Wired because it’s connected to a residence’s electrical circuits rather than running on a rechargeable battery like other Ring products.

The doorbell is much smaller than previous versions and has such standard features as 1080P resolution, the company said. However, it’s missing two key elements: support for dual-band Wi-Fi, which means it can’t connect to faster frequencies on some routers, and support for end-to-end encryption.

The new doorbell begins shipping Feb. 24. Last year, Ring announced multiple other devices, including a home security drone.

Internet-connected doorbells and do-it-yourself surveillance tools have been among the hottest consumer gadgets in recent years, and Amazon-owned Ring is widely seen as a leader in the nascent market. At the same time, the southern California-based unit was forced to address privacy and other concerns amid password hacks that let outsiders take control of some Ring devices and the firing of employees who attempted to access customer data.

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