Ring 4 Video Doorbell: Is a messy history worth it for this solid gadget?

The Ring 4 is an impressive piece of tech, offering a wireless, 1080p video doorbell with two-way talk, rich notifications and a removable battery and charger. With it's quick reply feature and full color pre-roll, this video doorbell is packed with features. In this review, we'll look at the Ring 4's specs, compare it to the competition and discuss Ring's privacy and police partnerships. Let's dive in!

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  • I recently had the opportunity to test out the new Ring 4 Video Doorbell. The video doorbell is crafted with a wireless design and boasts 1080p resolution, two-way talk, and rich notifications. The two standout features for me were the quick replies and the full color pre-roll.
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    Ring 4 Video Doorbell
    Ring 4 Video Doorbell
    Ring 4 Video Doorbell
    (Photo: Amazon)
    I found the quick replies to be helpful in allowing me to pre-program responses to be played when someone rings the doorbell. It made unmanned deliveries or avoiding unwanted visitors much easier. However, I wish I could add personal quick replies for more specific situations. Nonetheless, the full color pre-roll was a really useful security measure because it not only starts recording when it picks up a disturbance, but will also retrieve the moments leading up to the event.
    After putting it to the test, I can tell you that the Ring 4 is a solid choice. It's 200 dollars and costs three bucks per month for full smart features and cloud storage. It is wireless and offers smart notifications. However, one of its main competitors, the Arlo Essential Wire Free Video Doorbell, has a more beneficial aspect ratio. While the Ring 4 offers a 160 degree angle lens, it only sees 84 degrees vertically, whereas the Arlo Video Doorbell has 180 degree viewing angle both horizontally and vertically, so you get a much better view.
    Overall, I have to consider the company's political baggage when making my recommendation. With partnerships with local police forces and the Neighbors app, there are some major privacy issues that need to be taken into account when making the decision to buy into the Ring ecosystem. It's an important of consideration, especially if your neighbor gets a Ring 4 Video Doorbell, as it can affect your whole neighborhood.
    What Features Does the Ring 4 Video Doorbell Offer?
    The Ring 4 Video Doorbell offers a range of features that make it an attractive choice. It is WiFi-enabled and boasts 1080p resolution, two-way talk, rich notifications, and a removable battery and charger. The two standout features are quick replies and full color pre-roll capabilities. Quick replies allows you to select pre-programmed responses that play when somebody rings the doorbell, such as a message for a no contact delivery. The full color pre-roll will record the moments before an event and give you the full sequence on camera. All of these features come together to make the Ring 4 a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable video doorbell.
    Comparing the Ring 4 Video Doorbell to Other Brands
    The Ring 4 Video Doorbell is a popular product that offers a range of features and options, including 1080p resolution, two-way talk, rich notifications, and a removable battery and charger. One of the standout features of the Ring 4 is the quick replies, which allows users to select from a list of pre-programmed responses when someone rings the doorbell. The full color pre-roll is another useful feature that helps users see the moments before a disturbance was picked up by the doorbell.
    The Benefits of Ring 4 Video Doorbell Quick Reply and Pre-Roll Features
    The Ring 4 Video Doorbell is a great piece of technology that comes ready with some great features. One of these features is the Quick Reply, which allows users to select from a list of pre-programmed responses when someone rings the doorbell. This can be great for no contact deliveries or if you want to avoid someone. Along with the Quick Reply feature, the Ring 4 also has a Full Color Pre-Roll. This feature records the moments leading up to the disturbance, which can be very helpful in providing a full sequence of what happened. Together, these features make the Ring 4 Video Doorbell a great purchase that provides safety and convenience.
    Drawbacks of the Ring 4 Video Doorbell
    The Ring 4 Video Doorbell is a solid piece of technology, but there are a few drawbacks to consider. One issue is the aspect ratio. While the video doorbell boasts a 160-degree angle lens, it only sees 84-degrees vertically, which is not as much as some of its competitors. This means that if a delivery person drops a package right by the doorstep, there is a chance the doorbell will not pick it up. Another issue is with the company's relationship with law enforcement. Ring has been criticised for transforming neighbourhoods into surveilled spaces and degrading privacy. Furthermore, Ring facilitated the sharing of footage with police, which is a selling point, but can be concerning in the context of recent police abuse. It is difficult to separate the Ring 4 from the company that made it and this is something to keep in mind before buying.
    Is the Ring 4 Video Doorbell Worth It?
    The Ring 4 Video Doorbell is a solid gadget that boasts features such as quick replies, full color pre-roll, 1080p resolution and two-way talks. However, in the face of its messy history with privacy and police partnership, customers may find themselves questioning if they should invest in this product.
    Examining Ring's Police and Privacy Partnership
    Ring's 4th iteration of their popular video doorbells is a solid piece of hardware. It offers 1080p resolution, two-way talk, rich notifications, and a removable battery and charger. But the question remains
    The Ring 4 is an overall decent product, with useful features such as Quick Replies and Full Color Pre-Roll, and the standard 1080p resolution and two-way talk. However, its narrow 84 degree viewing angle and its connection to a company with a messy history of privacy and police partnerships can be concerning for some. Whether or not the Ring 4 is right for you will depend on your personal preferences and comfort level with the product and company's implications.
    What hardware is offered with the Ring 4?
    The Ring 4 is a wireless 200 video doorbell with 1080p resolution, two-way talk, rich notifications, and a removable battery and charger. It also features quick replies and full color pre-roll which records the moments prior to an event.
    How does the Ring 4 compare to the Arlo Essential Wire Free Video Doorbell?
    Both doorbells are wireless, cost 200 dollars and around three dollars each month for full smart features and cloud storage. They both offer smart notifications, however Arlo's cameras can tell the difference between packages and people. Arlo's doorbell also has a 180 degree viewing angle horizontally and vertically, providing a more comprehensive view, while Ring's doorbell has a 160 degree angle lens and only sees 84 degrees vertically.
    What is Ring's history with privacy and police partnerships?
    Ring has received criticism for facilitating the sharing of footage with police and giving them access to surveillance footage. In response, Ring has removed the suspicious activity tag from the Neighbors app and added some no racism rules, however partnering with police forces and helping customers share footage of public spaces online remains an integral part of their business.

    This article was written in cooperation with SmartWebReviews
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