Ever wondered who’s behind that popular video doorbell that lets you see who’s at your door from anywhere? Ring has become one of the most well-known smart home security brands in recent years. Its story begins with an inventor named Jamie Siminoff, who created the company that would revolutionize home security with its smart doorbell technology.
Amazon currently owns Ring. The company was acquired by Amazon in February 2018. Before this acquisition, Ring was an independent company founded by entrepreneur Jamie Siminoff. The doorbell camera company has grown significantly under Amazon’s ownership, becoming part of the tech giant’s expanding smart home ecosystem alongside other products like Echo devices.
Amazon’s ownership has helped Ring expand its product line beyond just doorbells to include various security cameras, lighting, and alarm systems. While this growth has made Ring products more accessible to many homeowners, it has also raised some privacy concerns about how customer video data is handled and protected.
Key Takeaways
- Ring was founded by Jamie Siminoff and later purchased by Amazon in 2018 for a significant sum.
- The company offers a wide range of smart home security products beyond just doorbells, all integrated with Amazon’s ecosystem.
- Ring has faced privacy challenges regarding data handling, including past incidents where employees improperly accessed customer videos.
Ring’s Founding and History
Ring began as a simple idea in a garage and grew into a home security giant that changed how we protect our homes. The company’s journey includes an inventor with a vision, a memorable TV appearance, and significant funding milestones along the way.
Jamie Siminoff’s Vision
Jamie Siminoff founded Ring in 2012, though it wasn’t called Ring at first. The company started as “Doorbot” when Siminoff couldn’t hear his doorbell from his garage workshop. This problem sparked his idea for a wifi-enabled video doorbell that would let homeowners answer their door from anywhere using their phones.
Working from his garage, Siminoff built the first prototype himself. His vision was simple but powerful: improve home security while making it more convenient and accessible.
The original Doorbot device was bulky compared to today’s sleek Ring products, but it contained the core concept that would revolutionize home security – the ability to see and speak with visitors remotely.
Journey Through Shark Tank
In 2013, Siminoff took Doorbot to the TV show “Shark Tank” seeking $700,000 for 10% of his company. His presentation was compelling, but all the Sharks except Kevin O’Leary passed on the deal. O’Leary’s offer wasn’t right for Siminoff, so he left without a deal.
Despite this setback, the Shark Tank appearance proved valuable. The publicity boosted sales and raised the company’s profile significantly.
After the show, Siminoff rebranded Doorbot as “Ring” in 2014. The new name better reflected the company’s connection to doorbells and created a stronger brand identity. This rebrand, along with product improvements, helped position the company for its next growth phase.
Growth and Funding Milestones
Following Shark Tank, Ring secured important growth funding. In 2015, Richard Branson became an investor after a guest at his island used a Ring doorbell to catch someone at his home.
Kleiner Perkins led a funding round in 2014, beginning a partnership that would help fuel Ring’s expansion. The company continued to attract investors and grew its product line beyond doorbells to include security cameras and full home security systems.
By 2018, Ring had become so successful that Amazon purchased the company for over $1 billion. This acquisition marked a remarkable journey from garage startup to major tech acquisition.
Throughout its growth, Ring maintained Siminoff’s original mission of making neighborhoods safer through accessible technology that connects homeowners to their properties from anywhere.
Acquisition by Amazon
Ring, the popular video doorbell company, was acquired by Amazon in 2018 in a deal that transformed both companies’ positions in the smart home security market.
The Deal With Amazon
Amazon purchased Ring for approximately $1 billion in February 2018, marking one of the tech giant’s largest acquisitions at that time. The deal came after Ring’s interesting history, which included founder Jamie Siminoff’s unsuccessful appearance on “Shark Tank” where he failed to secure investment for his then-called “Doorbot” company.
The acquisition officially closed in April 2018, with Amazon announcing that both companies would work together to make neighborhoods safer. For Siminoff, the deal represented a remarkable turnaround from rejection to billion-dollar success.
After the sale, Siminoff reportedly treated himself to a special purchase to celebrate the milestone achievement.
Strategic Changes Post-Acquisition
Following the acquisition, Ring maintained its separate brand identity while gaining Amazon’s vast resources and distribution network. The company expanded its product lineup beyond video doorbells to include a more comprehensive home security ecosystem with cameras, alarms, and lighting products.
Amazon integrated Ring products into its broader smart home strategy, creating stronger connections with Alexa and other Amazon devices. This allowed customers to use voice commands to control Ring devices and view camera feeds on Echo Show displays.
The partnership also helped Amazon compete more effectively against Google’s Nest and other smart home security providers. Ring’s neighborhood-focused approach to security aligned with Amazon’s interest in delivery security and home access solutions.
Ring continued operating with some independence while benefiting from Amazon’s technical expertise, cloud infrastructure, and marketing reach.
Ring’s Product Ecosystem
Ring offers a diverse range of smart security products that work together to create a comprehensive home protection system. The company has expanded significantly since its founding, moving beyond just doorbell cameras to a full security ecosystem.
Doorbell Cameras and Their Evolution
The original Ring Doorbell revolutionized home security when it launched. It gave homeowners the ability to see and speak with visitors remotely through their smartphones.
Over time, Ring has released several doorbell camera generations with improved features. The Ring Doorbell 2, Pro, and Elite models added better video quality, enhanced night vision, and more reliable motion detection.
Recent models include pre-roll video capture, which records a few seconds before motion is detected. This feature helps users see what happened just before someone approached their door.
Ring’s doorbell cameras now come in wired and battery-powered options to suit different home setups. They’ve also introduced doorbell cameras with different price points, making the technology accessible to more consumers.
Security Cameras and Alarms
Ring has expanded beyond doorbells to include a complete security camera lineup. Their indoor and outdoor cameras can be placed throughout the property to monitor different areas.
The Stick Up Cam, Spotlight Cam, and Floodlight Cam offer different lighting options and installation methods. Some models include built-in sirens to deter potential intruders.
Ring also offers a comprehensive security system with professional monitoring options. The Ring Alarm includes:
- Contact sensors for doors and windows
- Motion detectors for rooms
- Keypads for system control
- Range extenders for larger homes
Users can monitor everything through one app, making it simple to check all security devices at once. The system can be self-monitored or professionally monitored for an additional fee.
Integration With Smart Home Devices
As an Amazon-owned company, Ring products integrate seamlessly with Amazon’s Echo devices and Alexa voice assistant. Users can view their Ring cameras on Echo Show displays or hear doorbell announcements through Echo speakers.
Ring’s smart home integration extends beyond the Amazon ecosystem. Their products work with many third-party smart home platforms through their “Works with Ring” program.
Smart lighting can be programmed to turn on when Ring cameras detect motion. This creates a more comprehensive security approach that combines visibility with deterrence.
The Ring app serves as a central hub for controlling all devices. It allows users to customize settings, receive notifications, and create automation routines that connect different smart home products.
Integration with Amazon’s Neighbors app also creates a community safety network, letting Ring users share security footage and alerts with nearby neighbors.
Software and Services
Ring offers a range of digital tools and subscription options that enhance the functionality of their physical security devices. These software solutions connect homeowners with their communities while providing advanced features to protect homes.
The Neighbors App: Connecting Communities
The Neighbors app is one of Ring’s most popular software offerings. It works like a digital neighborhood watch, allowing users to share safety alerts and videos from their Ring devices with people nearby.
Users can post crime reports, suspicious activities, or lost pet notifications. The app creates a local safety network where neighbors can look out for each other.
Ring partners with some police departments through the Neighbors app. This lets law enforcement post alerts or request footage to help solve crimes in the area.
The app is free to use even if you don’t own Ring products. This community-focused approach helps Ring expand its presence beyond just device owners.
Subscription Services and Features
Ring offers tiered subscription plans called Ring Protect that add valuable features to their devices. The basic plan covers a single device, while higher tiers cover all devices at a home.
With a subscription, users get:
- Video recording and storage: Saves footage in the cloud for up to 180 days
- Rich notifications: Preview videos directly from alerts
- Person detection: AI that distinguishes people from other motion
- Snapshot capture: Takes periodic images throughout the day
Advanced tiers include additional benefits like extended warranties and professional monitoring services. These paid features transform Ring from simple doorbell cameras into comprehensive home security systems.
Ring regularly updates its software with new AI capabilities and security features. This keeps the system current with evolving home security needs.
Privacy and Security Policies
Ring’s approach to privacy has evolved over time, balancing user security needs with data protection concerns. The company has established specific policies around information sharing and law enforcement cooperation that impact how customer data is handled.
Understanding Ring’s Privacy Approach
Ring places privacy, security and control of personal information at the core of its product offerings. Their privacy notice outlines what personal information they collect from consumers and how it’s used.
This includes data captured through their security cameras and doorbells.
Unfortunately, Ring has faced criticism for privacy failures in the past. According to the Federal Trade Commission, poor privacy practices and lax security once allowed employees to spy on customers through their cameras. This included viewing footage from private areas like bedrooms and bathrooms.
Ring’s Terms of Service explain how the company operates its products and services. Users should read these carefully to understand what data Ring collects and how it might be shared.
Law Enforcement and Warrant Compliance
Ring’s policies regarding law enforcement access to footage have changed significantly.
Previously, police could request doorbell camera footage through Ring’s neighborhood watch app.
Recently, Amazon (Ring’s parent company) changed this policy. They will no longer allow police to request video from Ring doorbell cameras on their neighborhood watch app.
This represents a major shift in how Ring handles law enforcement requests.
For police to access Ring footage now, they typically need to:
- Submit a valid warrant
- Contact users directly for voluntary sharing
- Follow legal processes for data requests
This change gives Ring users more control over their footage while possibly affecting how police conduct certain investigations.
Future Directions and Innovations
Amazon’s ownership of Ring has paved the way for exciting developments in home security technology. The company continues to push boundaries with AI integration and expanding product ecosystems to make homes safer and smarter.
Upcoming Advances in Home Security
Ring is heavily investing in artificial intelligence to enhance its security products. New AI features will soon help cameras distinguish between people, animals, and vehicles more accurately. This means fewer false alerts for homeowners.
Ring’s next generation of doorbell cameras will likely include improved night vision and wider viewing angles. These upgrades will address common blind spots that currently exist in home security systems.
Battery technology is also improving. Future Ring devices may offer months of operation without recharging, solving a pain point for many current users.
Voice command capabilities will become more sophisticated. Ring is working to integrate more deeply with Amazon’s Alexa ecosystem for seamless control of all home security features.
Expansion into New Markets
Under Amazon’s ownership, Ring has opportunities to expand beyond traditional home security.
The company is exploring commercial security solutions for small businesses and retail locations.
International growth remains a priority. Ring plans to adapt its products to meet varied security needs across different global regions and cultures.
Ring may enter the automobile security market with dashboard cameras and car monitoring systems. This would create a complete security ecosystem covering homes, cars, and businesses.
New subscription services are in development that bundle security monitoring with other Amazon services. These packages could offer better value for consumers already in the Amazon ecosystem.
The company is also developing more smart home integrations beyond security, including lighting controls, smart locks, and garage door management.
