Another Doorbell - Smartbell - Died in Kickstarter!

[bernieb]

Hey folks,

Maybe I'm addicted to Kickstarter, but I seem to always find some interesting gadgets that I just can't live without. While looking this weekend, I found a project for a smartbell that impressed me over the others that I have seen, it's Wi-Fi and has Z-wave capability
I asked if it can also ring your existing bell and the answer was "yes". So I backed them up.
Take a look:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...os-an?ref=live

I like the idea that you can display messages on the screen for your guests to see as they arrive or change it depending on the season or holiday. Pretty neat

I have no affiliation with this group, except the fact that I backed the project myself hoping that they reach their funding goal, but wanted to share it here since I know that we are all into gadgets

[NeverDie]

Thanks for your post. I hope you get your doorbell. I have one of the Spore doorbells, which other than a modern appearance, is really nothing special, and yet I'm continually surprised how many people don't recognize that it *is* a doorbell even though it's located exactly where you'd expect to find a doorbell. Oddly enough, they knock instead of even trying it. So, after you get your doorbell, I'd be curious whether you notice similar behavior.

[langenet]

Yeah I saw that last week. My only thought is that as it resembles an iPhone, someone will surely rip it off your house.
For myself, I don't need to know who's ringing the doorbell that badly.

[NeverDie]

At least with the OP's doorbell, you can display the word "Doorbell" on its screen with an arrow pointing to the button....

[bernieb]

Yes, it's just a gadget and I did like that it resembled the iPhone, never thought that someone would want to steal it thinking that it's an actual iPhone ... could very well be though. I never thought either that someone would not recognize it as a doorbell, but from what you are saying NeverDie, I can see people acting that way ... I do have a choice of displaying the word "Doorbell" and also since it's motion activated, it should get their attention ... if not, well... less visitors ... I hope that the mother in law can't figure it out

[Jingoro]

Thanks for the post -- it looks really cool. My only concern is of theft or making my house a target for thieves.

Even though it has less features, I'm thinking about something less conspicuous like a Skybell (which has similar features sans the screen). I'm just waiting for the reviews to come in before I jump.

[randman]

Another Doorbell - Smartbell

I like being able to see the person at the door but I don't care about them seeing me. Hence, I prefer a Skybell for that reason.

[mahatma73]

Such a shame it did not went live.