Ring has announced a new feature for its video doorbell and security cameras that promises to make it easier to find specific events in their collections of video recordings. With Ring’s new Smart Video Search, you’ll be able to type natural-language queries related to animals, locations, packages, people, time, vehicles, and weather, along with qualifier activities such as running, jumping, playing, or riding.
The new feature is powered by what Ring is calling Ring IQ, “a combination of Ring AI technology and in-house expertise” that uses “Visual Language Modeling (VLM) to match text to images and quickly deliver results.”
Ring says users will be able to ask everyday questions, such as “raccoon in the backyard last night” to find out how the garbage cans got knocked over. The company also says it’s committed to developing “responsible AI,” and that its Smart Video Search “uses a sophisticated input moderation technique to prevent searching for offensive, inappropriate, or harmful content.”
Earlier this week, Ring announced major changes to its subscription service plans that include breaking out professional monitoring as an á la carte service at $10 per month. To get this new AI search feature, you’ll need to subscribe to Ring’s new top-tier service plan, Ring Home Premium (the only tier that includes an equally new 24/7 recording feature), at $19.99 per month.
That means that after a one-year free trial, Ring Alarm and Ring Alarm Pro owners will be paying $29.99 per month if they want the new Smart Video Search and 24/7 recording features, along with the professional monitoring required to get the maximum benefit of their investments in Ring home security hardware.
Ring says its new Smart Video Search feature is rolling out as a public beta to “select customers” now. The company will launch its new Ring Home service plans on November 5.
This news is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best smart home systems.
Author: Michael Brown, Executive Editor, TechHive
Michael is TechHive's lead editor, with 30+ years of experience covering smart homes, home networking, and home audio/home theater. He holds a BA in Multimedia Journalism, authored the book Desktop Video Production, and was awarded Best Online Review by the Computer Press Association. Michael built a smart home in 2007 and used it as a real-world product-testing lab. Now living in the Pacific Northwest, he is converting his 1890 Victorian bungalow into a modern smart home. Michael has worked at CNET, PCWorld, Electronic Musician, and Maximum PC. As a freelancer, he contributed to New Media, Camcorder, MacWeek, and more.