Ring cameras can now notify you about unusual activityThe new tool uses AI to ‘learn’ what’s normal for your homeThere are new sensors to detect safety and security problems, too
(Image credit: Future)
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We’re at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, where Ring has just announced a set of new AI-powered upgrades that should make your video doorbell and security cameras even better at keeping your home and family safe.
One of the most interesting additions, AI Unusual Event Alerts, sends you a notification when your camera or doorbell spots something that looks out of the ordinary. It uses the Video Descriptions tech that launched in June last year, which analyzes the event that’s triggered your camera to start recording and sends a text description to your phone so you can decide whether it’s something that needs your attention.
What’s ordinary for one person’s home might be unusual for another, so this isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, AI Unusual Event Alerts ‘learns’ what’s normal for your home by monitoring everyday activity, then warns you when something happens that doesn’t fit with the regular pattern.
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If you currently find that you’re receiving too many alerts, you can choose to only be notified when something out of the ordinary happens.
If your Ring camera has two-way talk, Active Warnings can issue an AI-triggered verbal warning to potential burglars (Image credit: Ring)
Active Warnings are another new AI-powered tool for your Ring cameras, and are intended to deter potential threats to your property as soon as they’re spotted.
This feature, which is available if you’re currently enrolled in Ring’s Virtual Security Guard program, will deliver warnings to potential burglars or other threats through your camera’s speaker straight away, while a trained security expert takes a closer look at what’s happened to see whether further action is needed (such as initiating two-way talk or contacting emergency services).
Sensors and switches
Ring also used its CES stand to unveil a new set of sensors and other devices that are based on Amazon Sidewalk (a low-power network that can transfer small amounts of data much further than your home Wi-F) and don’t need a separate hub.
Until now, Sidewalk was only been available in the US, but it’s now rolling out in Canada and Mexico too, with the EU, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan all due to follow later this year.
The new Sidewalk-enabled hardware includes:
Door and window contact sensorsMotion detectorsA panic buttonGlass break sensorsOutside door sensorSmoke and carbon monoxide sensorsFlood and freeze sensorsTemperature and humidity sensorsAir quality sensorsA sump pump sensor
There’s also a bundle of new controllers that make it easier to operate your Ring smart home devices manually, including a fan control, smart plug, a single light switch, and a smart light remote.
Grab some apps
Finally, Ring has thrown open the doors to a new app store, where you’ll download heaps of third-party tools to help you get more from your Ring devices. It’s currently only available in the US, but will hopefully roll out in other locations soon.
You’ll need a compatible Ring subscription to use these apps, and depending on the tool you want to use, you might need to sign up with a third-party service and connect it to your Ring account.
The selection of apps is expected to grow in the coming weeks, so keep an eye on what’s available through the Ring app or at Ring.com.
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