International. According to several published reports, e-commerce giant Amazon has reached an agreement to acquire the video intercom from the manufacturer Ring. Although the terms of the acquisition have not been officially disclosed, the deal is reportedly worth more than $1 billion. Amazon had previously invested in the company through its Alexa Fund.
Amazon seems to have focused on the home security market by itself lately. Last October, the company made its official foray into the industry with the launch of its "Amazon Cloud Cam" and "Amazon Key" offerings. Amazon Key allows the company's "Prime" customers to have packages delivered inside their homes by granting remote access to delivery controllers. Cloud Cam is a smart indoor security camera that features 1080p resolution, night vision, two-way audio, a wide viewing angle, and activity clips from the last 24 hours via the Amazon Cloud Cam app. Customers who wish to use the Keys service should purchase the Amazon Key In-Home Kit, which includes Cloud Cam and one of several compatible smart locks manufactured by Yale and Kwikset.
Last month, Amazon also acquired the Blink wireless bootable security camera to further expand its footprint in the space.
Through the acquisitions of Ring and Blink, Amazon has not only added wireless cameras and video doorbells to its list of home security products, respectively, but also complete home security systems. Prior to its acquisition, Blink had begun pre-ordering for a system with the option of professional monitoring on its website. Ring has also developed a professionally monitored home security system dubbed "Ring Alarm", as well as a home security ecosystem complete with indoor/outdoor security cameras; and a line of outdoor connected smart lights, called "Ring Beams," which is a technology the company acquired when it bought LED lighting company Mr. Beams earlier this year.
Before acquiring Ring, Blake Kozak, principal analyst for Smart Home and Security Technology at IHS Markit, said Amazon really only had parts of the home security puzzle. Even with the launch of Cloud Cam, Kozak said Amazon's goal was never really to secure the home and certainly, in itself, wasn't a viable competitor to professional security systems like ADT and Vivint. However, the set of products the company has access to now changes all that.
