First, Amazon’s Ring announced yesterday that it will begin expanding and adding security measures to its video devices and apps, including end-to-end video encryption, support for authenticator apps and CAPTCHA security for the Ring and Neighbors apps.

These measures are the latest in a push by the Amazon-owned home security company to improve its own security following a widely publicized exposure of Ring user data in 2019. Last year, the company introduced a security dashboard to the Ring app, along with mandatory two-factor authentication. In early 2021, it began to rollout a “technical preview” of its end-to-end video encryption feature, which was available only on a select few Ring devices.

Beginning today, many of Ring’s major video devices will become compatible with end-to-end video encryption, which stops third parties, including Ring’s cloud service, from accessing or tampering with videos in transit between devices (between video doorbell and phone) and also while the data is at rest. Compatible Ring devices include the Video Doorbell Pro, Pro 2, Elite, Wired, Spotlight Cam Wired, Spotlight Cam Mount, second-gen Stick Up Cam Elite, third-gen Stick Up Cam Plug-In, Indoor Cam, Floodlight Cam, Floodlight Cam Wired Pro and Wired Plus.

Additional information, by way of a virtual event, will come later as Amazon is set to unveil its latest Echo and Ring devices on Sept. 28. Amazon could also offer a release date for Ring’s indoor security camera drone. Amazon introduced the $250 indoor drone – a flying security camera that docks when it isn’t in use — during its event last year but didn’t give a specific release date. If you haven’t heard about this device, you might take a look at this video. https://youtu.be/i2jFN_QEcS4 I can only imagine the challenges this device will present.

Amazon’s invitation yesterday didn’t reveal much, but the retail giant could unveil updated versions of its Echo smart speakers and displays. During its fall devices and services event last year, Amazon unveiled the spherical fourth-gen Echo, Echo Dot and Echo Dot Kids Edition as well as the Echo Show 10.

It’s still unclear if Amazon will have more in store for Fire TV. Earlier this month, the company debuted a new standalone streamer, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, as well as the Amazon Fire TV Omni and Fire TV 4-Series. The new Amazon-built TVs are available for preorder and slated to arrive in October, just in time for the Christmas shopping season.

Of course, Amazon could also have brand new surprises to unbox. We’ll find out for sure next week.