Amazon to buy WiFi-connected doorbells maker Ring

The deal is reportedly worth more than one billion US dollars.

Amazon is expanding its home-security business by buying Ring, which makes WiFi-connected cameras and doorbells.

The deal comes months after the online retailer started selling its own WiFi-connected indoor security cameras, which work with its voice-assistant Alexa. The Ring acquisition helps Amazon better compete with Google’s Nest, which also makes cameras and doorbells.

Seattle-based Amazon.com Inc declined to say how much it was paying for Ring or when the deal will close. The news was first reported by technology news site GeekWire.com.

These package thieves were getting busy on Ariel's front porch while he was away at work. But thanks to a motion alert from Ring, he kept his package safe – and got some unexpected entertainment. #AlwaysHome pic.twitter.com/BaRiRmPGBN
— Ring (@ring) February 24, 2018

Ring’s doorbells and cameras capture video that can be streamed on smartphones and other devices. The company promotes its gadgets as a way to catch package thieves, a nuisance that Amazon has been looking to remedy.

Last year, Amazon launched a service called Amazon Key that allows those who buy a WiFi-connected lock to unlock their front doors so packages could be left inside their home.