Ring’s new alarm system comes with one-touch access to emergency services

Ring, owned by Amazon, today announced a second generation of its home security system that comes with a sleeker, smaller set of hardware. The updated keyboard now has buttons for quick access to emergency contact services such as the police, fire or medical assistance. (You will need to hold the button down for three seconds before you start calling those services.) The new motion and contact sensors are also slimmer, making them easier to match at the corners and edges of your home. All hardware now comes in a matte finish; the previous version had a shiny, plasticized coating.

As for software, the new system is not much different from the original: while the suite may still send app notifications if it detects unusual movements, you’ll need to subscribe to the $ 10 / month / $ 100 / year Plus plan to make use of the emergency tools response in case of theft. (The Plus plan also covers other types of home monitoring, including temperature / smoke / carbon monoxide level changes, flood clocks, and video recording if you have other Ring accessories.) And just like the previous version of the Ring Alarm system, you can use the mobile app to remotely arm and disarm alarms and pair it with an Alexa device for voice control.

The new Ring Alarm comes in 5, 10, and 14-piece kits that are suitable for various household sizes, all of which include the base station, keyboard, motion and contact sensors, and a range extender. The kit is open for pre-order today at $ 199, and additional accessories can also be purchased at Ring.com or Amazon.com. (At Amazon, you can also choose to receive a free Alexa Dot with your pre-order.) Everything is scheduled to ship on April 29.

With today’s release, Ring will no longer sell the original version of its system on its website, although it will still be possible to find the discounted set now through other retailers.

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