Starting March 29, smart home brand Ring will start requiring users to buy the Ring Protect Plan for its devices, as it puts several currently free features behind a paywall.
on that day, Owner of a Ring doorbell or camera (opens in a new tab) Without a subscription, you will not have access to Home and Away mode on the official app and Amazon Alexa.
family model (opens in a new tab), for those who don’t know, deactivates the interior sensors so people can move freely indoors while keeping the sensors outside the residence active. Away mode completely secures the home by arming all the sensors and letting the cameras record constantly; perfect for anyone who wants to keep an eye on things while they’re away. As you can see, Ring will charge people to use two more basic features. However, not everything is changing. Other features like Two-Way Talk and Motion Detection remain free.
Ringtone Alert Change
Additionally, the Ring Alarm security system will also see all of its in-app features behind a paywall that day in the US and Canada. This includes tools such as the ability to enable or disable sensors through apps, digital notifications, and home security automation. However, this only applies to future purchases.
If you already owned or planned to buy a Ring Alarm before March 29, these changes don’t apply to you. This also extends to accessories for the system. Even if you activate Ring Alarm after that date, you can still access the in-app features without a subscription. It seems most important that you purchased the setup before March 29th.
irritate users
As you can imagine, a lot of people aren’t happy about the looming subscription plan requirement, as many flock to social media to vent their frustration. a user on twitter (opens in a new tab) Saying “this gimmick” made them consider switching brands.On the Ring subreddit, some people said they now Regret buying their Ring setup (opens in a new tab) As a result of this news, they will no longer be extending their home system. The silver lining in all of this (if you can call it that) is that the price of Ring Protect hasn’t gone up — it’s staying the same.
We asked why Ring decided to start requiring a Protect subscription, however, we didn’t really get a straight answer. A company spokesperson simply reiterated the company’s statement, noting that Ring Alarm customers can change alarm modes through a physical keypad, without the app. We asked for more details, but at the time of writing, a spokesperson hadn’t gotten back to us. The new direction could be the company’s attempt to boost revenue.as A guy on the subreddit suggested (opens in a new tab)maybe not enough people bought subscriptions.
Be sure to check out TechRadar’s List of the Best Security Cameras of 2023 (Indoor and Outdoor) If you want to better protect your home.
