This week, Logitech launched its first video doorbell developed exclusively for use with Apple HomeKit.
It’s called the Circle View Doorbell and it’s packed full of desirable features including face recognition, “head-to-toe” HD video from two feet away, color night vision up to six feet away, HDR, and it can be installed in place of most wired doorbell systems while also fitting on just about any doorframe.
HomeKit is Apple’s software framework allowing iOS devices to be used to configure and interact with smart home hardware. By supporting HomeKit, Logitech allows the Circle View to perform intelligent detection using an Apple device, as well as receiving smart notifications directly on your iPhone, for example. You can also configure it to launch a pop-up notification on Apple TV, make an announcement using a HomePod, or interact with the doorbell directly using Siri.
If you have an iCloud subscription, the Circle View also supports HomeKit Secure Video. You get end-to-end encrypted video sent to your devices and a 10-day motion-based recording history stored on iCloud. One camera can be recorded on the iCloud 200GB plan and up to five cameras on the 2TB plan. Viewing recorded video is done using the Home app, and best of all, the recordings won’t count against your iCloud storage limit.
Logitech is making the Circle View Doorbell available starting at $199.99 if you opt to install and configure it yourself. Alternatively, you can pay $299.99 for a professional installation and configuration. This more expensive option also gets you the option of an upgraded transformer or Wi-Fi extender if necessary, but that also incurs additional costs on installation day.
