From the approachable Glaswegian dialect to the instantly recognisable Edinburgh lilt, Scotland is home to some of the most distinctive accents in the UK.
Now, Ring has revealed that it’s so enamoured with Scottish accents, it’s planning to use one in its Video Doorbells.
The tech giant has launched a search for its first-ever Scottish voice, which will be used across a series of custom audio messages, known as ‘Quick Replies’.
Ring describes it as an ‘exciting opportunity to represent Scotland and share the nation’s beautiful accent with households across the country.’
So, do you think you have the voice for it? Here’s how you can apply.
Ring has revealed that it’s so enamoured with Scottish accents, it’s planning to use one in its Video Doorbells
Ring describes Quick Replies as a ‘much-loved feature’ of its 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,’ Dave Ward, Managing Director EU & International at Ring, explained.
‘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 Video Doorbells across the nation.’
To apply, you must be aged 18+, a permanent resident in Scotland, and ‘clear, energetic and enthusiastic.’
There are three ways to apply.
Firstly, if you’re keen to apply in-person, pop-up auditions will take place at St James Quarter in Edinburgh on Saturday 31 August and Sunday 1 September from 10am – 6pm, in Union Square in Aberdeen on Saturday 7 September and Sunday 8 September from 10am – 4pm, and in Glasgow’s Silverburn Shopping Centre on Saturday 14 September and Sunday 15 September from 10am – 4pm.
At the audition, you’ll be asked to say the phrase: ‘We can’t answer the door right now, but if you’d like to leave a message, you can do it now.’
If you can’t make any of the in-person events, you can also post a video of you saying this phrase to TikTok or Instagram, using the hashtag #ringvoiceofthenation.
Meanwhile, if you own a Ring device, you can apply by filming the greeting on the device, pressing ‘Share’ on the Ring app, and choosing ‘Share with Ring’.
The winner will receive commensurate compensation for the recording time, although it remains unclear exactly how much this is.
They’ll also be given a Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus (worth £99.99), and will have their travel costs to the recording covered (up to the value of £150).
The search comes shortly after Amazon warned that millions of Ring owners are putting their device in the wrong place.
‘One of the biggest mistakes people make is mounting their Ring Video Doorbell too high in the mistaken belief that they need to do this in order to catch people’s faces,’ Amazon explained.
The doorbells have an impressively wide field of view which allow them to catch faces both upwards and downwards.
‘Viewing faces is not a problem if the Ring Video Doorbell is mounted at the correct height,’ Amazon added.
Beyond the main camera, Ring doorbells feature a network of Passive Infrared (PIR) motion sensors – heat sensors that detect motion by monitoring for infrared heat.
‘The motion sensors in your Ring Video Doorbell are designed to detect motion up to 180 degrees horizontally and from 1.5 to 5 metres outward from the fixture,’ Amazon explained.
‘They’re also more sensitive to horizontal movement across the detection area than vertical.
‘Mount the Ring Video Doorbell too high and you’re more likely to catch the heat of passing cars than the heat of incoming visitors.’
Based on these factors, Amazon recommends that owners should mount their Ring doorbells 48 inches (1.2 metres) from the ground.
WHAT IS RING AND WHY DID AMAZON BUY IT?
Amazon acquired home security startup Ring for a reported £700 million ($1 billion).
The home security startup sells doorbells that capture video and audio.
Clips can be streamed on smartphones and other devices, while the doorbell even allows homeowners to remotely chat to those standing at their door.
Ring sells doorbells (left) that capture video and audio. Clips can be streamed on smartphones and other devices, while the doorbell even allows homeowners to remotely chat to those standing at their door
Ring promotes its gadgets as a way to catch package thieves, a nuisance that Amazon has been looking to remedy.
Amazon late last year unveiled its own smart lock and camera combination called Amazon Key in a move into home security.
Key is designed to provide a secure and trackable way for packages to be delivered inside homes when people aren’t there.
Amazon has bought home security startup Ring for a reported £700 million ($1 billion)
Ring’s doorbell could work well with Amazon Key, which lets delivery personnel put packages inside a home to avoid theft or, in the case of fresh food, spoiling.
California-based Ring first caught the spotlight with a failed quest for funding about five years ago on reality television show Shark Tank.
Ring went on to win backing from the likes of billionaire Richard Branson and Amazon’s Alexa Fund.
