Skip to main content

Sneak pre-‘View’: August’s new video doorbell leaks ahead of CES

August/Trademarkia

There will be tons of new products announced over the next week as the Consumer Electronics Show opens its doors in Las Vegas, but some are being leaked ahead of time, thanks to some eagle-eyed readers of legal documents. The latest company to have its products outed in advance is home security firm August. The company’s upcoming View smart video doorbell and chime were revealed before an official announcement in trademark filings spotted by technologist Dave Zatz.

While there is still a lot we don’t know about the August View lineup, images provide some insight into what to expect from the products and where they depart from August’s previous line. Instead of the square, kind of odd looking design previously used for the Doorbell Cam, the August View doorbell camera goes with a sleeker and more stylish regulator design that mirrors the build of products made by its competitor Ring. (The Amazon-owned Ring also suffered some leaks at the hands of documents filed with the Federal Communications Commision. The company has two security lights on the way, according to the filings.)

Recommended Videos

In addition to the new camera-equipped doorbell, August is apparently also planning to introduce a chime. Details on the product are still pretty sparse, but the chime once again lines up with a similar device offered by Ring. It’s not clear if August’s chime will work like Ring’s version of the device, which plugs into a standard outlet and relays any notifications to other rooms in your home.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

While it seems clear that August smart devices are coming — something that wasn’t a guarantee after the company was acquired by Swedish lock giant Assa Abloy — there are still plenty of details that have yet to be filled in. The features that the products will sport are still mostly unknown. For one, there’s no clear release date for the doorbell or the chime, so we’re not sure when you’ll be able to get your hands on it. Perhaps more importantly, no price point has been announced for either device. It seems likely that many of those details will be filled in later this week during CES, where the products may make their first official appearance.

AJ Dellinger
AJ Dellinger is a freelance reporter from Madison, Wisconsin with an affinity for all things tech. He has been published by…
Ring Battery Doorbell Pro vs. Nest Doorbell: Which is the better video doorbell?
The Ring Battery Doorbell Pro installed near a door.

The Ring Battery Doorbell Pro is one of the newest video doorbells on the market, offering premium features along with the simplicity of a battery power source. It's a fancy piece of smart home tech -- but how does it stack up to the always-popular Nest Doorbell? The two video doorbells bring many of the same features to your front door, though there are a few key differences you'll want to be aware of before making a purchase.

Here's everything you need to know about the Ring Battery Doorbell Pro and Nest Doorbell -- including a look at their installation process, standout features, and pricing details -- before adding one of them to your smart home.
Design

Read more
Should you buy a wired or wireless video doorbell?
A Eufy video doorbell installed near a door.

Video doorbells come in a variety of styles, but they typically fall into one of two categories -- wired or wireless. You'll find both categories available from big names like Ring, Arlo, and Google, making it easy to snag a great product regardless of which style you prefer.

But should you buy a wired or wireless video doorbell? It's not easy making that decision, as both installation types come with various advantages and disadvantages. Here's a comprehensive look at both types of video doorbells to help you decide.
How does a wired video doorbell work?

Read more
Check out these Ring video doorbell alternatives that don’t require a subscription
A Eufy video doorbell installed near a door.

Ring is one of many companies that lock video doorbell features behind a monthly paywall. Unless you're forking out cash every month, you won't have full access to everything your device can offer. The brand also recently instituted a price hike -- and some shoppers are so frustrated that they've started looking elsewhere for their security needs.

If that's you, or if you'd like to find an easy way to cut down your spending this year, here's a look at four Ring alternatives that don't require a subscription. Some of these may offer optional subscriptions, but even if you don't pay, you'll have access to a wide range of features that aren't free on Ring.
Eufy

Read more