A doorbell used to be a simple affair: it made a chime when someone is at the door, and, if you were home, you'd answer the door. That was it.
And that may still be enough for those who have simple needs. But a new, connected home security boom is upon us, and it includes everything from connected surveillance cameras, to security motion detectors, and remote-viewable doorbell cameras.
The concept is alluring, too: commercials from major players like Ring ($AMZN) and Nest ($GOOG) show a thief approaching a home and ringing a doorbell only to be disappointed when he finds that someone is home. But, as it turns out, no one is home: it's just the remote resident checking her doorbell while at work. The thief runs away, and our burglary fears are assuaged.
DIY connected home security systems are a growing industry. They're so attractive that tech giants Google and Amazon have each acquired leaders in the space. Google grabbed Nest, originators of the connected thermostat. Amazon grabbed Ring who created the first connected video doorbell. Since then, both companies have expanded their home security lines: Nest now makes video doorbells, surveillance systems, and connected security products. Similarly, Ring has moved on beyond just doorbells to also make surveillance cameras, alarms, and lighting.
In short, the home security product lineups from Google and Amazon are strikingly similar.
The connected doorbell space is only just heating up, but we can get an early look at how each company is hiring for its connected security division. In this case, Amazon is far outpacing Google when it comes to hiring: there are currently 173 openings at Ring compared to 33 at Nest.
Amazon's Ring
in early April 2019, Ring was hiring for as many as 185 people. Of those openings, 78 are located at Amazon's Santa Monica, CA Ring headquarters with. another 46 slotted for Ring's Kyiv, Ukraine secondary headquarters.
Google's Nest
Given the fact that Google is a massive, matrixed organization that has had a lot more time to integrate Nest than Amazon has with Ring, a direct comparison of number of hires between Ring and Nest divisions isn't entirely fair. That said, Google lists only 33 openings with the term "Nest" in their titles. Given the former point on integration, a majority of Nest openings are found at Google's Mountain View, CA headquarters.
Both Ring and Nest are early players in the connected doorbell game, and there are sure to be newer, innovative players that look a lot like these two companies did in their early days. Companies like August and Remo are releasing unique takes on smart doorbells all while security stalwarts like ADT are looking to get a piece of the action. Stay tuned to this space, as it's about to get crowded.
