Innovation of the week: Smart doorbells

Smart doorbells might be the next must-have gadgets for the smart home, said Stacey Higginbotham at Fortune. Startups and big manufacturers alike are developing camera-equipped doorbells that let homeowners answer the door from their smartphones.

Users can see who is at the door and respond verbally, so giving instructions to a delivery person bearing a package becomes a breeze. Plus, "buyers get the benefit of a view of their front stoop" without having to worry about a web-connected camera facing into their home. Having a "truly integrated smart home" is a long way off for most people. But with models like the Ring, Skybell, and soon-to-be-released Notifi all retailing for $199, it’s "in the range of a good gift item."

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