Netgear comes with a doorbell that allows residents to talk to visitors via smartphone smartphone

Netgear will launch the Arlo Audio Doorbell in the fall, a smart doorbell that allows a resident to contact a visitor who rings the doorbell via the Arlo app and their smartphone or tablet.

As soon as a visitor presses the Arlo Audio Doorbell, the Arlo app automatically connects to the owner’s smartphone. They can then choose to answer the call and talk to the visitor as if it were a normal telephone conversation, or a pre-recorded message can be returned.

To make this possible, the doorbell is equipped with a loudspeaker and a microphone, so that the visitor and resident can contact each other. The device runs on two AA batteries, which can power the doorbell for a year, according to Netgear.

Optionally, the Arlo Audio Doorbell can also be connected to the Arlo Chime, also due to be released in the fall. This is a speaker that plugs directly into the wall socket and probably only serves to signal when someone rings the doorbell indoors.

The Arlo Audio Doorbell does not have an integrated video camera. To also see who is at the door, the device must be connected to a separate Arlo wireless camera. According to the manufacturer, the doorbell will be released in the fall, although it is not yet clear when the release will take place and for what price.