The report said almost 40% of Amazon Rekognition's errors included people of color. The piece specifically referenced a study by the American Civil Liberties Union of Amazon Rekognition, a software designed to recognize whatever it sees, including people. Racial bias in facial recognition technology is a known problem, something CNET wrote about back in March. Instead, Ring would theoretically be able to scan through law enforcement databases and ID "suspicious" people. While its cameras can't recognize faces today, Ring appears to be working on a capability that goes far beyond creating your own database of friends and family members. The patents Ring filed related to facial recognition present additional problems. We are actively working with partners to ensure this is reflected in their programs. Ring does not support programs that require recipients to subscribe to a recording plan or that footage from Ring devices be shared as a condition for receiving a donated device. Ring customers are in control of their videos, when they decide to share them and whether or not they want to purchase a recording plan. The company has since issued a statement saying it's working on changing this: Ring and police departments offer discounted and free doorbells to local residents across the United States, with the understanding that the residents will provide security footage to law enforcement. So, I grabbed a spare first-gen Echo Show from our office, enabled the skill and said, "Alexa, show me the front door camera." The video feed promptly pulled up and I was able to see the same view I'd get in the app, just on a larger display. The Peephole Cam only works with Alexa - no Google Assistant or Siri. The Peephole Cam live feed on an overcast afternoon. Fortunately, the Ring app has a section where you can check the "health" of your device, which includes the strength of your Wi-Fi connection at the location where you plan to install it. A lot of that depends on the quality of your Wi-Fi connection, though. There was only a few-second lag time and no pixelation, or any other issues that stood out to me during testing. Ultimately, it wouldn't keep me from recommending it, but it's an unnecessary effect that doesn't add to the experience of viewing the live feed. One odd thing is that Ring went for a fisheye lens view to give it a "peephole effect," despite the fact that the camera itself isn't connected to the peephole and could just as easily be designed without that distortion. Whereas every other model I've tested has been mounted to a doorframe or to the side of the door, this model sits right in the center, making for a better view of what's happening. The main exception was the positioning of the doorbell camera itself. In fact, everything about this testing was pretty seamless, and roughly identical to testing any other Ring doorbell. Regardless, they're easy to set up and worked well during my testing. I find it a bit odd to be unable to see what was causing the motion - only that there is motion - but Ring says it's a way to be respectful of your neighbors' privacy, such as a neighbor's apartment door. You can select up to two privacy zones and no video will be recorded in those areas, although you will still receive motion alerts. Unlike motion zones, which are only available with hardwired Ring products, privacy zones are "dead zones" per this Ring support page. Privacy zones are a new feature I tested first with the Peephole Cam. Screenshots by Megan Wollerton/CNET Testing it out The initial configuration includes questions that help Ring customize settings just for you.
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