Why You Can Trust CNET Amazon's New Ring Spotlight Camera Gets 3D Motion Detection. But You'll Have to Go Pro
Ring unveiled two new feature-rich outdoor cameras at Amazon's fall event, the Ring Spotlight Cam Plus and the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro.
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The Ring Spotlight Cam Pro is one of two new outdoor cameras in the Ring lineup.
Ring announced new smart home hardware at Amazon's hardware and services event on Wednesday, including two new outdoor cameras: the Ring Spotlight Cam Plus and the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro. Both of the new cameras are open for preorder now, with devices expected to ship in the coming months.
The two are pretty similar in look and design. Both feature motion-activated lighting and a built-in siren. Either one can be wired, battery-powered or solar-powered. And with prices starting at $200 for the Plus and $230 for the Pro, there's only $30 separating them. That said, the Pro adds a couple of advanced features into the mix.
For starters, you'll be able to use the Pro's 3D Motion Detection to view an aerial-style, bird's eye view of the motion events picked up by the camera. Meanwhile, the Pro's new Audio Plus feature promises to make it easier to hear any noises picked up by the camera's on-board microphones. These join existing Ring features like two-way talk, live view and color night vision.
A Ring spokesperson tells CNET that the 3D motion detection uses aerial imagery from third-party partner Mapbox to provide a satellite image of your home and the surrounding area.
"When a customer sets up their Ring device and provides their home address (which the customer provides during the installation process), we fetch the latitude and longitude provided from Mapbox to present either a satellite or vector map image," the spokesperson said. From there, the Ring app will plot out the rough location of any motion activity detected by the camera.
Price: $200
Release Date: In preorder now
The new outdoor camera offers motion-activated lighting and a built-in siren and can operate wired, battery-powered, or solar-powered.
Price: $230
Release date: Preorder now
Above and beyond the Spotlight Cam Plus and other standard Ring features, it offers 3D Motion Detection to view an aerial-style, bird's-eye view when it detects motion. A new Audio Plus feature promises to make it easier to hear any noises picked up by the camera's on-board microphones.
In addition to the new Spotlight Cams, Ring is also releasing a new, second-gen panic button that Ring Alarm users can keep on their bedroom nightstand or mounted to a nearby wall. In addition to activating a home's security alarm, the button can also be configured in the Ring app to trigger assistance specific to medical emergencies or fires, making for a more flexible layer of safety. Preorders are open now with an asking price of $30.
We'll be eager to test the new hardware once it's available, so stay tuned for more details on how it all performs later this year.
Price: $30
Release date: Preorder now
An update of its panic button for Ring Alarm users, which you can keep on a nightstand or mount to a nearby wall. It activates your home's security alarm and can be configured to trigger assistance specific to medical emergencies or fires.
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