So I bought a Skybell v2 – it’s a special doorbell that replaces the ancient button by the door and brings it into the 21st century. I paid $119 for it which is considerably less than other advanced doorbell buttons.

Installation was pretty easy. They provide the mounting plates and even the gel wiring crimps and screws. Pop your old doorbell off, hook the two wires up and you’re off. Now they say you can download the app to your phone. My phone doesn’t like the app or vice versa. And I got the bronze version. And it’s got infrared too – That’s the little white spot above. And obligatory – Marvin the Paranoid Android ditty on infrared:

Now the world has gone to bed,
Darkness won't engulf my head,
I can see by infrared,
How I hate the night.

Now I lay me down to sleep,
Try to count electric sheep,
Sweet dream wishes you can keep,
How I hate the night.

Could not get the device to register on my phone. Drives me batty. However I will never admit defeat – so I thought what other Android based device can I install this app on. Grabbed my Kindle Fire HD6 and downloaded the SkyBell v2 APK, installed it and presto – works perfectly when I turn WiFi on. In uninstalled the app from my phone. One of the things I’m doing this weekend is getting an upgrade on that anyhow. This SGH-T599N has been pretty good – but it’s showing it’s age and is having capability problems.

But the SkyBell v2 is really nice – wide angle lens so you see EVERYTHING. And you can even take snapshots with the app.