Latest news with #Siminoff
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
If you want promotion, show us…: Amazon has a new rule for employees in its smart home department
employees working in the company's smart-home division must now demonstrate how they use artificial intelligence tools to qualify for promotions, according to a new policy announced by Ring founder Jamie Siminoff. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The requirement affects workers at Amazon's RBKS organization , which includes Ring security cameras, Blink devices, Key delivery service, and Sidewalk wireless network. The policy, effective in the third quarter of 2025, mandates that promotion applicants detail their AI usage and provide examples of projects with measurable outcomes. Managers must additionally prove they've accomplished "more with less" using AI technology while reducing or maintaining current headcount levels. Ring CEO asks the department embrace AI-driven performance metrics Siminoff's directive aligns with broader industry trends as major technology companies integrate AI proficiency into employee evaluations. Shopify announced in April that managers must demonstrate AI cannot perform a role before making new hires, while Microsoft has begun evaluating some employees based on their use of internal AI tools, Business Insider reported. The policy comes two months after Siminoff returned to Amazon following a two-year absence, replacing former RBKS division leader Liz Hamren. His return coincides with CEO Andy Jassy's push to restore Amazon's startup culture and embrace efficiency-driven practices. In an email to staff obtained by Business Insider, Siminoff emphasized the policy aims to reward "innovative thinking" and reinforce speed and efficiency—core elements of Jassy's current vision for the company. "We are reimagining Ring from the ground up with AI first," Siminoff wrote, describing the initiative as having "the same energy and potential to revolutionize how we do neighborhood safety." Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Amazon pushes workforce efficiency through AI adoption The new promotion requirements represent part of Siminoff's broader push for AI integration within RBKS operations. Since June, he has encouraged employees to use AI tools at least once daily to boost productivity levels. Amazon CEO Jassy previously indicated that AI implementation would reduce the company's workforce due to improved operational efficiency. The RBKS policy specifically requires employees to describe how they've used generative AI or other AI technologies to enhance customer experience or increase operational efficiency when applying for advancement opportunities. A Ring spokesperson confirmed to Business Insider the promotion initiative applies exclusively to RBKS employees and does not extend company-wide.
The Irish Sun
21-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Ring's flying ‘spy drone' that monitors your home in the AIR ‘coming soon' – it stalks burglars & even recharges itself
RING'S flying home drone could be launching soon after several years of teasing, according to reports. The Always Home Cam was first announced in 2020 and was slated to hit shelves in 2021 - but it never landed. Advertisement 8 The drone flies automatically around the home, with some obstacle avoidance technology so that it doesn't crash into ceiling light or precious vase Credit: Ring 8 It can also only fly one floor at a time, and has a limited flight time of just five minutes on a single charge Credit: YouTube/Ring 8 The idea is to scrap multiple plug in cameras around the home and have just one patrolling drone available Credit: YouTube/Ring The gadget is the brainchild of recently returned Ring CEO Jamie Siminoff, who has been testing the indoor flying camera in his office, according to Siminoff may be launching the device soon in "limited quantities", according to sources. Despite a 2021 launch that never really arrived, Ring showed off the flying security cam at CES in 2023. The drone flies automatically around the home, with some obstacle avoidance technology so that it doesn't crash into ceiling light or precious vase. Advertisement READ MORE ON RING Once it has scouted the perimeter, it flies back into its compact cradle when it recharges. Ring, owned by Amazon, touts the gadget as a way for privacy-hawkish homeowners to be "in two places at once". "Some indoor cameras just monitor the room. Ours can move around it when you're away," Ring says on the gadget's product page. "Left a window open or the stove on? Create flight paths ahead of time so you can manually check in with the Ring App from anywhere." Advertisement Most read in Tech Exclusive The security device won't be able to fly manually, work outside or zoom from one floor of the home to the other, according to Siminoff. But you can give it predetermined routes around the home that it cannot stray from. Amazon's Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus watches your front door & doesn't need any wires It can also only fly one floor at a time, and has a limited flight time of just five minutes on a single charge. The idea is to scrap multiple plug in cameras around the home and have just one patrolling drone available. Advertisement "Instead of simply encouraging customers to buy more cameras and set them up in more locations around the home, how could we solve this problem with one solution?" Siminoff noted in a Ring blog post. "We wanted to create one camera that could give users the flexibility of every viewpoint they want around the home, while delivering on our founding principles of privacy and security." 8 The Always Home Cam has been priced at $249.99 (£185.80) Credit: YouTube/Ring 8 The rise in autonomous vehicle technology has meant parts have become cheap enough to sell as a consumer product Credit: YouTube/Ring Advertisement Siminoff, who founded Ring in 2013 before it was snapped up by Amazon, has reportedly been working on this drone concept for years - long before the acquisition. However, parts were so expensive initially that the cam would have cost an eyewatering $2,000 to sell at retail. But with the rise in autonomous vehicle technology, parts have become cheap enough to sell as a consumer product. The Always Home Cam has been priced at $249.99 (£185.80). Advertisement Though some privacy campaigners say there's no price they would pay to install a security drone in their own home. Despite it only having a camera and no microphone, unlike Ring's popular doorbells, critics argue that the very concept of a flying surveillance camera in the home is problematic. "It's difficult to imagine why Amazon thinks anyone wants flying internet cameras linked up to a data-gathering company in the privacy of their own home," Silkie Carlo, of privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch, told the "It's important to acknowledge the influence that Amazon's product development is having on communities and the growing surveillance market." Advertisement 8 You can give it predetermined routes around the home that it cannot stray from Credit: Ring 8 The device may be launching the device soon in "limited quantities", according to sources Credit: YouTube/Ring 8 Ring, owned by Amazon, touts the gadget as a way for privacy-hawkish homeowners to be "in two places at once" Credit: YouTube/Ring
Scottish Sun
21-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Ring's flying ‘spy drone' that monitors your home in the AIR ‘coming soon' – it stalks burglars & even recharges itself
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RING'S flying home drone could be launching soon after several years of teasing, according to reports. The Always Home Cam was first announced in 2020 and was slated to hit shelves in 2021 - but it never landed. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 The drone flies automatically around the home, with some obstacle avoidance technology so that it doesn't crash into ceiling light or precious vase Credit: Ring 8 It can also only fly one floor at a time, and has a limited flight time of just five minutes on a single charge Credit: YouTube/Ring 8 The idea is to scrap multiple plug in cameras around the home and have just one patrolling drone available Credit: YouTube/Ring The gadget is the brainchild of recently returned Ring CEO Jamie Siminoff, who has been testing the indoor flying camera in his office, according to Business Insider. Siminoff may be launching the device soon in "limited quantities", according to sources. Despite a 2021 launch that never really arrived, Ring showed off the flying security cam at CES in 2023. The drone flies automatically around the home, with some obstacle avoidance technology so that it doesn't crash into ceiling light or precious vase. Once it has scouted the perimeter, it flies back into its compact cradle when it recharges. Ring, owned by Amazon, touts the gadget as a way for privacy-hawkish homeowners to be "in two places at once". "Some indoor cameras just monitor the room. Ours can move around it when you're away," Ring says on the gadget's product page. "Left a window open or the stove on? Create flight paths ahead of time so you can manually check in with the Ring App from anywhere." The security device won't be able to fly manually, work outside or zoom from one floor of the home to the other, according to Siminoff. But you can give it predetermined routes around the home that it cannot stray from. Amazon's Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus watches your front door & doesn't need any wires It can also only fly one floor at a time, and has a limited flight time of just five minutes on a single charge. The idea is to scrap multiple plug in cameras around the home and have just one patrolling drone available. "Instead of simply encouraging customers to buy more cameras and set them up in more locations around the home, how could we solve this problem with one solution?" Siminoff noted in a Ring blog post. "We wanted to create one camera that could give users the flexibility of every viewpoint they want around the home, while delivering on our founding principles of privacy and security." 8 The Always Home Cam has been priced at $249.99 (£185.80) Credit: YouTube/Ring 8 The rise in autonomous vehicle technology has meant parts have become cheap enough to sell as a consumer product Credit: YouTube/Ring Siminoff, who founded Ring in 2013 before it was snapped up by Amazon, has reportedly been working on this drone concept for years - long before the acquisition. However, parts were so expensive initially that the cam would have cost an eyewatering $2,000 to sell at retail. But with the rise in autonomous vehicle technology, parts have become cheap enough to sell as a consumer product. The Always Home Cam has been priced at $249.99 (£185.80). Though some privacy campaigners say there's no price they would pay to install a security drone in their own home. Despite it only having a camera and no microphone, unlike Ring's popular doorbells, critics argue that the very concept of a flying surveillance camera in the home is problematic. "It's difficult to imagine why Amazon thinks anyone wants flying internet cameras linked up to a data-gathering company in the privacy of their own home," Silkie Carlo, of privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch, told the BBC when the gadget was first unveiled. "It's important to acknowledge the influence that Amazon's product development is having on communities and the growing surveillance market." 8 You can give it predetermined routes around the home that it cannot stray from Credit: Ring 8 The device may be launching the device soon in "limited quantities", according to sources Credit: YouTube/Ring
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Need a promotion at Amazon? Show your AI skills first
An internal email stated that employees are also required to attach or cite specific AI projects they have worked on, along with measurable outcomes. Managers must also report how AI tools were leveraged at work to boost productivity at scale, which could potentially reduce the company's headcount. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Amazon has reportedly made it a requirement for employees in several units, including smart home security brands Ring and Blink, to demonstrate their use of artificial intelligence (AI) when applying for promotions.A Business Insider report on Thursday revealed that Jamie Siminoff , the founder of Ring, announced that promotion applications within the organisation must include data on employees' AI usage at internal email stated that employees are also required to attach or cite specific AI projects they have worked on, along with measurable must also report how AI tools were leveraged at work to boost productivity at scale, which could potentially reduce the company's headcount.A Ring spokesperson clarified in the report that these changes currently apply only to Amazon's RBKS employees (Ring, Blink, Key, and Services), not to the rest of the rejoined Amazon in April after a two-year hiatus, with a mission to promote 'innovative thinking' and enhance speed and efficiency in the his return, Siminoff hinted at plans to leverage AI and innovation. 'The AI transformation happening right now is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, and I think we're super well positioned with helpful and practical AI features like Smart Video Search. It's just the start here—we're just scratching the surface of what we can do with AI—and I look forward to digging into this with the team even more,' he also shared his vision after his return to the company. 'Invention is my true passion—I love looking at what we can invent for our neighbors, which is what I've always called our customers.''I tend not think in terms of, 'in X years, we're going to build this.' Instead, I try to think about finite truths,' he founded fourteen years ago by Siminoff, is best known for inventing the video doorbell—a device that lets homeowners see, hear, and speak to visitors remotely using live video and two-way audio via a also oversees other Amazon units such as Blink, the in-home and in-garage delivery service Amazon Key, and the Sidewalk team, which extends the range and connectivity of smart devices like AI becomes deeply integrated across industries, some tech leaders are pushing the boundaries. Last month, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy told employees that AI would gradually reduce the corporate workforce as more AI tools and agents are deployed throughout note did not outline which teams or roles would be affected. Amazon employs over 1.56 million people globally. Earlier this year, the ecommerce major said it plans to cut 14,000 managerial positions globally by early 2025 as part of a broader effort to reduce costs and improve operational the last two years, large technology players have been acquiring AI startups for their technology teams. Microsoft paid $650 million in a licensing deal to Inflection AI, whose cofounder Mustafa Suleyman is now heading Microsoft AI. In a similar licensing deal, Amazon hired AI startup Adept cofounder David Luan and others who joined Amazon's AGI May, ET reported that Klarna CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski and Zoom's Eric Yuan are among the first to experiment with AI versions of themselves for public-facing Klarna, an AI-powered avatar of Siemiatkowski handled most of the fintech firm's recent earnings call — with only subtle giveaways, such as a slightly out-of-sync voice, hinting that it wasn't the real CEO.
Tom's Guide
18-07-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Ring backtracks, lets cops once again request video from your doorbell and security cameras
A year after removing the ability to police to request security camera and doorbell footage from Ring owners, Ring is backtracking partially due to a new partnership. Earlier this year, Axon, the maker of Taser, announced (spotted by Business Insider) that it was partnering with Ring to allow customers to share "relevant video with law enforcement to help solve crimes faster and safeguard neighborhoods. This will affect all of the best Ring video doorbells. It's a reversal of the video sharing policy introduced in January of 2024 when Ring removed the "Request for Assistance" button from the Neighbors app. This meant that public agencies could no longer request and receive video directly in the app except in emergencies. It was another step in scaling back law enforcement involvement by Ring due to privacy concerns. With the Axon partnership, police can now request footage from Ring users via Axon's digital evidence management system. As of this writing, it's unclear if police solicitations will appear in the Neighbors app. Tom's Guide has reached out to Ring for clarification on the Axon partnership and how new law enforcement requests will appear for customers. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. According to Axon, the once a request is made, Ring owners can decide to to send the footage or not. If they do it will be 'encrypted and securely added to the case file." This year, former CEO and founder of Ring, Jamie Siminoff, returned to Amazon, taking over Ring and several other smart home companies within Amazon's umbrella. Business Insider reports that he has made sweeping changes across the company with a desire to have Ring return "to its founding identity as a crime-prevention tool." Emails to employees read that Siminoff wants to return Blink to its original goal of making neighborhoods safer. Ring is not without controversy. In 2023, the FTC sued the company after reports that it enabled workers and hackers to spy on customers, as reported by The Verge. Motherboard reported in 2019 that the company was coaching police on how to get footage without a warrant from users. Currently, Ring has partnerships with over 2,000 police and fire departments across the country. Ring has partnerships with over 2,000 police and fire departments across every U.S. state. The last official number we could find came from a letter Ring sent to Senator Markey (via Wired) in 2022, which noted 2,161 partner "law enforcement agencies" and 455 fire departments. The company has an "Active Agency Map," which Ring claims is regularly updated. From that, we were able to find 113 "local government agencies," mostly animal services and emergency management, 2,678 "local law enforcement," and 622 fire departments. An additional 517 and 167 police and fire departments have been added since 2022. Ring makes some of the best video doorbells, and even takes up multiple slots in our picks. However, if the sudden turn to more of a law enforcement-enabling company makes you uncomfortable, there are alternatives, including the Eufy Video Doorbell Dual and the Nest doorbell. Again, this won't necessarily stop company's from sharing videos with cops without your consent, but other doorbells don't have quite the same privacy controversies as Ring. It should be noted that Siminoff is not only in charge of Ring but also the Amazon-owned company, Blink, which makes one of the best home security cameras in the Blink Outdoor 4. The Ring founder has combined teams for Ring, Blink, Key, and Amazon Sidewalk, but it's unclear if this Axon partnership will remain exclusive to Ring devices. But just in case, you could try alternatives like the Wyze Cam v4 and Arlo Ultra 2, both excellent choices.
