Tag: ring

Casting search for first ever Scottish voice to feature on video doorbells

  • Ring teams up with Scottish presenter Edith Bowman for its ‘Voice of the Nation’ search launching in Edinburgh’s St James Quarter to find the Scottish voice of its Ring Video Doorbell messages
  • It’s the first time Ring will include a member of the public’s voice on its devices
  • Launch celebrates the 76% of people from Edinburgh that are proud of how welcoming the Scottish accent sounds, with 44% in UK agreeing it’s one of the friendliest

Ring is on the hunt to find the first ever Scottish voice of its devices. The smart home security company is launching its Voice of the Nation casting search across Scotland in a first for the brand.

Ring is holding auditions at St James Quarter in Edinburgh’s city centre to find one lucky Scot who will record a set of audio messages, called ‘Quick Replies’, that will be available across all Ring Video Doorbells in the UK later this year.

Ring’s Quick Replies are available on all Ring Video Doorbells and act as an answering machine for the door. Once activated, and someone rings the doorbell, the visitor will hear a pre-selected greeting with the option to leave a message. 

The search comes as new research from Ring reveals the Scottish accent is one of the most endearing in the UK, with 44% of people agreeing it’s one of the friendliest. Over three quarters (76%) of those from the capital are proud of how welcoming the Scottish accent sounds.

Edinburgh residents can audition by simply sharing a video of themselves saying a popular Ring Doorbell Quick Reply: “We can’t answer the door right now, but if you’d like to leave a message, you can do it now.” and post on TikTok or Instagram, share through their Ring device and Ring app, or attend an in-person audition held at St James Quarter on 31 August and 1 September.

The search will be judged by a panel which will include Scottish radio DJ and television presenter, Edith Bowman, who will help select Ring’s ‘Voice of the Nation’. It’s the first time Ring has worked with a member of the public to voice its Video Doorbell Quick Replies, and the first time a Scottish accent will be heard on Ring Video Doorbells. 

Edith Bowman said: “I’m so excited to launch Ring’s ‘Voice of the Nation’, as I am fiercely proud of my accent and the Scottish accent generally. One of the things I love is the variety of regional identities.

“It has beautiful rhythm and personality and each has its own unique tone and quality – something I’m thrilled is being celebrated with Ring’s campaign.

!I can’t wait to judge the entries and would love to see lots of energy and enthusiasm from those auditioning!”

Ring’s recent survey of 2,000 UK consumers also found that Edinburgh locals prefer their own accent to anywhere else in the UK (25%), with almost a quarter feeling this way because it reminded them of home (24%).

If they had the choice of hearing a famous Scot on their smart devices, almost a quarter (24%) of people from Edinburgh would like Billy Connolly, with 16% opting for Ewan McGregor. Almost 15% of Edinburgh residents said David Tennant would be their top choice for voicing their Ring Video Doorbell.

The research also revealed the following opinions:

  • Over a third (36%) of Brits said the Scottish accent has calming qualities, and 34% find it attractive.
  • Edinburgh locals think their playful cheekiness wins them points, with 65% saying the Scottish accent sounds charming.
  • Half of the capital’s residents say the Scottish accent lends itself well to comedians, with over half saying it sounds humorous (53%).
  • Of the regional dialects in Scotland, the Lothian accent was voted the favourite accent to voice their smart home tech amongst people from Edinburgh (39%). 

Dave Ward, Managing Director EU & International at Ring, said: “Ring’s Quick Replies are a much-loved feature on our Video Doorbells.

“Many customers use them to instruct delivery drivers where to leave packages, or inform visitors they need more time to answer the door.

“Given the importance of these messages, we wanted to ensure our Quick Replies featured familiar and local accents and celebrated regional dialects around the world. We’re thrilled to begin in Scotland and can’t wait to hear a Scot on our Video Doorbells across the nation.”

Auditions will officially open form Wednesday 21st August at 12 pm. Members of the public can share a video of their recorded audition on TikTok by posting their clip with #RingVoiceoftheNation, or on Instagram by sharing and tagging @RingUK alongside #RingVoiceoftheNation.

Those with a Ring device and Ring Protect can enter by recording themselves filming their greeting on a Ring device, pressing the ‘Share’ button on the Ring app and choosing ‘Share with Ring’. 

In addition to St James Quarter in Edinburgh on 31 August and 1September from 10am-6pm, Ring’s Voice of the Nation pop-up auditions will visit:

  • Union Square in Aberdeen: Saturday 7 September and Sunday 8 September 10am-4pm
  • Silverburn Shopping Centre in Glasgow: Saturday 14 September and Sunday 15 September 10am-4pm

For full casting details please, check out this Ring blog.

Ring to help Scots witness the Eta Aquariid Meteor shower

Ahead of the spectacular Eta Aquariid meteor shower starting from the 19th April, Ring is helping Scots experience the rare astronomical event by collaborating with the UK Fireball Alliance (UKFAll).

The initiative follows recent Ring customer footage of an unusually bright shooting star travelling across the English Channel at the incredible speed of 70 km/s. 

Richard and Claire Ward-Jones shared the video with Ring after reports of a meteor shower in their area. When reviewing their Ring Video Doorbell Pro footage, Richard was amazed to see the shooting star light up the sky.

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/0-Gh-RyJfqQ

The Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower is set to dazzle skies across Scotland’s towns and cities between April 19th and May 28th, with good levels of visibility expected.

To help stargazers witness the meteor shower, the UKFAll and Ring are equipping Scotland and wider UK locations, with 50 of Ring’s Stick Up Cam Pro and Wired Video Doorbell Pro devices, available to those in the best areas to view the shower.

This is sure to be welcome news for over two thirds (70%) of Scots who are interested in astronomy, as reported in Ring’s new survey. The survey also found that half (50%) of Scots are more interested in astronomy now than they were as a child, with 89% of Scots reporting that they observe the night sky in the hopes of seeing a shooting star.

Charlotte Bays, Secretary at the UKFAII commented: “Travelling at speeds of up to 70 km per second, meteors travel faster than any other objects in the sky.

“As a result, shooting stars are usually gone within a second. That’s why meteor showers like the Eta Aquariid are so special, offering lucky stargazers a rare chance to see a once in a lifetime event.” 

Ring’s research also revealed what Scots would wish upon a shooting star, if they were to spot one, with over half of Scots (54%) saying they wish to be happy, while a fifth (19%) of Scots wish to travel.

Other wishes include owning a house (16%) and finding love (14%). This lies in contrast with top wishes from childhood, with one in four Scots having wished for superpowers (25%) as a child, while nearly a quarter (23%) wished to own a puppy, and a fifth (21%) to be famous.

Dave Ward, Managing Director EU & International at Ring said: “Wishes may change as we grow up, but everyone can appreciate the phenomenal beauty in seeing a meteor shower.

“I’m glad Ring devices can play a small role in helping people capture and share these fascinating moments, and maybe even contribute toward scientific discoveries.” 

From 9th April those living in the top UK viewing areas for shooting stars can apply at www.ukfall.org.uk to receive Ring devices and support UKFAII in the study of astronomical activity in the UK.

Ring is encouraging anyone that captures footage of astronomical events on their Ring device, to send to ukstories@ring.com or tag @ringUK with the video on Instagram. To learn more visit Ring’s blog here.

Jewellery created to combat anxiety

Ring uses Hoku point to relieve stress and pain

Retail therapy can often be prescribed to help improve mood or disposition. However, an Edinburgh Napier student has taken this a step further by developing a range of jewellery that actively calms an individual when worn! Continue reading Jewellery created to combat anxiety