At CES 2023, the Ring Always Home Cam was announced. This is an indoor security drone from Amazon that patrols your home while you’re away. It flies around your space and gives you a 360-degree view of your rooms. You can program it to follow specific routes or control it manually through the Ring app on your phone.
So, how do you get your hands on the Amazon Ring Always Home indoor drone camera?
Technically, the Ring Always Home Cam is $249.99 as part of Amazon’s Day 1 Edition. Products in this program are considered concept items, meaning they are limited-release products that may never be widely available. If you get one, you can think of yourself as a beta tester for Amazon products. But getting a Day 1 Edition device like the Ring Always Home Cam requires an invitation, so it’s kind of exclusive.
How do I Get a Ring Always Home Invitation?
You can get an invitation to buy the Ring Always Home drone camera. Anyone can apply for an invitation, so it’s open to anyone who wants to upgrade their home security. As part of the application process, you’ll need to fill out a questionnaire from Amazon. The questionnaire will ask questions like “How many Ring devices do you own?” and “Do you have a Ring Protect subscription (Ring Protect Basic, Ring Protect Plus, or Ring Protect Pro)?”
Ring Ecosystem
It seems like Amazon is looking for people who are already in the Ring ecosystem, which includes a range of Amazon-made home security and smart home devices. These include products like Ring Video Doorbells, Ring Floodlight Cameras, and various Ring indoor cameras.
Personally, I think the integration of these devices is one of the best parts of the Ring ecosystem. Having a system where all the devices talk to each other makes the whole security experience better. For example, if I get a notification from my Ring Video Doorbell, I can quickly check the live feed from my indoor cameras to see what’s happening. That level of connectivity gives me peace of mind when I’m away from home.
Most of these devices require a monthly subscription to work. The Ring subscription service lets you review, share, and save videos from your devices. I think this is a must-have for anyone serious about home security, as it lets you record events and monitor activity around your home over time. It’s nice to know I can access footage if something weird happens.
The Application Process
If you are selected to buy a Ring Always Home Camera, Amazon will email you instructions on how to order (it will cost $249). The email will also include information on payment options and shipping preferences.
Keep an eye on your email after you apply, as invitations are limited and will be sent out on a rolling basis. If you don’t get an invitation right away, don’t worry. It may take some time for Amazon to process applications and send out invitations. I’ve learned that patience is key in these situations, especially with limited-release products.
Providing Feedback
As a Day 1 Edition device owner, you’ll also get to provide feedback on the product. This feedback is super important to Amazon as it helps them refine and improve their products based on real user experience. Providing feedback can be rewarding as you’ll have a direct impact on future Ring products.
Ring Always Home Cam
The Ring Always Home Cam is an indoor drone with prop guards to help with home security. It has a 1440×1440 HD video camera, so you can view live video of your home from anywhere you have an internet or cellular connection. This is nice to have for those who travel often or have home security concerns when they’re away.
Real-World Use Cases for the Always Home Cam
You might be wondering, “Why would I use a drone for home security?” Well, it may seem like a burglar could just swat it down, but the drone serves several practical purposes. For example, if you’re forgetful and often worry if you left a window open or the stove on, the Always Home Cam can fly over to check that for you. This would be super useful for busy people or families who want to make sure their home is secure without having to go back to check.
Also, the Ring drone integrates with your other Ring products. If your Ring Alarm contact sensors or motion detectors are triggered, the Always Home Cam will fly to check out the situation. This integration makes for a more comprehensive security system, and I like that it’s proactive rather than reactive.
Flight Control
One big difference between the Always Home Cam and consumer drones like DJI is that you can’t control the drone’s individual flight paths. The Always Home Cam flies along preset paths, so you can’t manually intervene during flight. But once the drone is in the air, you can pause, resume, rotate, or end the flight, and it will return to its charging dock.
From my perspective, this might be a drawback for those who enjoy flying a drone themselves. However, the preset paths are designed to ensure the drone covers the areas of your home you want to monitor. It’s a tradeoff between convenience and control, and for many users, convenience will outweigh the desire to control.
Flight Time and Coverage
In terms of performance, the Always Home Cam can fly a designated flight path for up to 5 minutes. You can program up to 50 different flight paths in your home so you can have a customized security experience. This is especially useful for larger homes where you can monitor multiple rooms and areas without having to be there in person.
But it’s worth noting that the drone only works on one level of a home. For multi-level homes, this means you’d need multiple drones to get full coverage, and that could be expensive. I can see how this would be a big consideration for families in larger spaces, as the cost would add up quickly.
Noise
While the Always Home Cam is impressive, the device isn’t without drawbacks. For example, this isn’t a device you’d want flying around while you’re home. Like most drones, it makes noise – about as loud as a vacuum or blender when it’s in use. I personally think this would be disruptive, especially if you’re trying to have a quiet night in.
Also, if you have pets, you need to consider their comfort. Amazon itself warns that pets may need time to get used to the noise and motion of the Always Home Cam. I can imagine a curious cat would see it as a new toy, and a more anxious dog would be freaked out by the sudden movement and noise. It’s probably a good idea to introduce the drone to your pets gradually so they can get used to its presence.
Privacy
Another thing to consider is privacy. While the Always Home Cam is for security, having a flying camera in your home can be a privacy concern, especially if you have guests or family members who may not be comfortable being recorded. You need to communicate openly with the people in your household about the drone and how it will be used. Set clear boundaries and expectations so everyone is comfortable.
Conclusion
In summary, the Ring Always Home Cam is a new player in the home security space with some cool features that can give you peace of mind. While it has its drawbacks, like noise, and can’t cover multi-level homes without additional units, its ability to integrate with other Ring products and live video monitoring makes it a good option for many homeowners.
If you’re considering adding the Always Home Cam to your setup, weigh the pros and cons based on your living situation and lifestyle. Personally, I think having a drone camera that can patrol your home is an extra layer of security that traditional cameras can’t provide. Being able to check in on your home and respond to security alerts in real-time is a big deal.
So, the Ring Always Home Cam is a new kind of home security. It combines convenience with innovation. If you like connectivity and proactive monitoring, it is worth it.
