The sound of excess: is this the world's most expensive doorbell?
The world of IOT, Internet Of Things products - stuff that's connected to the web that you wouldn't think would be connected to the web - is growing daily. A few years ago we had such silly inventions as internet-connected egg minders, so you could find out if you had eggs at home while you were on the beach in the Maldives. And - and here I wish I was joking - there is even an IOT toilet available, should you wish to commune with your commode from long distance.
But, aside from these ridiculous items, the IOT world has thrown up some genuinely useful tech for the home recently. I'm not referring to the slew of smart speakers that have deluged stores recently (these right now are disappointing but will eventually get much better). No, security and baby cameras, web-connected thermostats and smart locks all spring to mind. Yes, they are not earth-shattering, but the key here is that they are genuinely useful.
Another new category of gadget in the "genuinely useful" arena is the smart doorbell. You've seen the TV ads, possibly. The genius idea of being able to see who is at the door and potentially let them in to your house to drop off goods or packages from wherever you may be in the world is a real boon, undoubtedly. It also, of course, lets you pretend you are in when you are in fact out, possibly thwarting attended burglaries and other sorts of wrongdoing.
So popular has this new seam of gizmo proved (a tech journo friend of mine says his smart doorbell has "changed his life", astoundingly), many manufacturers are getting in on the act. You have options from Nest, August and SkBell - all perfectly good - but the biggest name is Ring. Ring now has four different video doorbells, in fact, ranging from ￡160 to ￡450. And the brand has now gone full circle by unveiling the world’s most expensive smart doorbell, one that is limited edition, diamond, sapphire and gold-encrusted.
Limited to just 10, this "Bling Ring" will set you back a staggering $100,000 - so perhaps sticking it the front of your house is not the best idea, although all the proceeds from these Bling Rings will be donated to UK charities supporting the reformation of former criminals as they re-enter society so there is some social conscience attached.
Created by jewellery specialist Bijan, the limited Crown Jewel Edition Video Doorbell is available exclusively from Selfridges as of yesterday, and all feature instant motion-activated alerts, HD video and two-way talk through built-in microphone and speakers and even infrared night vision.
Perhaps of most interest to those thinking of splashing $100,000 on a doorbell is that each of the 10 Ring Elite Crown Jewel Edition Video Doorbells includes 33.20 carats of sapphires, 0.56 carats of diamonds and 98.05 grams of yellow gold. The device’s faceplate itself is cast in 18K yellow gold, with more than 2,000 sapphires and 40 diamonds intricately set into the surface.
So, it appears we have gone through silly home IOT products to useful ones, and now we have now ended up with just plain off-the-charts ones. Well, it will ring someone's bell we suppose.