Ring, the maker of the popular video doorbells and security cameras, has introduced a new app designed to make local communities safer.
The new Neighbors app (that’s Neighbours in proper English), offers real time crime and safety alerts from local residents and law enforcement.
Users of Ring hardware will be able to post photos and videos of bad guys directly on a map in order to alert fellow residents.
Likewise, if something is posted by others in your neighbourhood, you’ll get notifications about crimes or suspicious activities.
Related: Ring Video Doorbell 2 review
In a blog post on Tuesday, Ring wrote: “The Neighbors App lets you create a custom neighborhood around your home. When anyone in your neighborhood shares a crime or safety alert, you’ll get a notification on your phone or tablet, so you’ll always be up-to-date on the latest local issues. You can share the alert with your family and friends, provide tips, and work with police to take the crooks off the streets.”
Neighborhoods was initially launched as a feature within the main Ring app. However, it has proved so successful, the Amazon-owned company is spinning it out into a separate app.
Users won’t need to own and Ring hardware to use Neighbors on iOS or Android and can even post anonymous alerts to the app.
Ring hopes it’ll help cut down on package theft, burglaries and other criminal activity.
The app will also feature updates from the Ring team, potentially updating residents on street closures and fires in their locale.
The firm is calling the app “The New Neighbourhood Watch”. Here’s how it was able to catch a criminal in Texas.
Are you a Ring convert? Does the video doorbell underpin your smart home? Share your review with us @TrustedReviews on Twitter.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
