Ding Dong Doorbell
Consumer and social
doorbell app
SHOW HN2024
140points
231comments
#610of 3,515 in 2024
Top 18%of 2024 by points
How HN took it
RoastedHalf or more of the comments are critical
18 positive, 34 neutral or asking, 5 mixed, 66 critical, out of 123 comments about the project. Thread score -0.39.
Idea: 18 for, 36 againstPrivacy: 0 for, 11 againstDesign: 0 for, 10 againstExecution: 0 for, 4 againstPricing: 0 for, 4 against
The thread, comment by comment
Each row is a top-level comment and its replies, in HN's order. Select a cell to open that comment on HN.
positive neutral or mixed critical about another commenter or something else the maker
What HN said
What people liked
Useful for hearing-impaired households and as a low-tech alternative.
From 2 comments
I can see some potential for people with hearing loss. I've seen apartments and houses of such folks, with some small dedicated bulbs or even normal ceiling lights flashing…
voytec on HNI recently visited a friend in Finland. In Finland it's common for apartments to not have doorbells downstairs. Instead the door has a pincode that people use to get in which are…
jillesvangurp on HN
Creative hack and fun concept.
From 2 comments
I love this sort of thing, very cool idea. I think it makes for a great weekend project to implement something similar yourself.
danhau on HNAs a hack, this is great. As a thing I would actually use? Very, very unlikely. - I would never use a random QR code in public and I wouldn’t ask anyone else to. - Pranking seems…
flkiwi on HN
Objections
Pranking and abuse by anyone who copies the QR code.
From 3 comments
This does seem like it might be prone to pranksters copying a particular doorbell code and putting it outside someone else's house (or several houses), distributing fake flyers…
dghf on HNGood for you that you build your first mobile app(s) and for having an inventive mind, but please be aware that there are many many "bad" people out there that will…
NKosmatos on HNNow someone might want to check for neighbors having such QR codes on their doors and replace them with QR serving ads (and accessorily ring the "bell" application), or just with…
ale42 on HN
Visitors are unlikely to scan random QR codes; a cheap wireless doorbell is simpler.
From 3 comments
Interesting idea... Cheap wireless doorbell is $5 delivered from Amazon. That's your biggest competition for the straightforward case. And that's easier to install, and easier to…
tln on HNFeedback: Bad UX. After scanning your example code I got page which asked me to take photo and I get really confused because I thought you want me to scan QR code again but there…
severak_cz on HNAs a hack, this is great. As a thing I would actually use? Very, very unlikely. - I would never use a random QR code in public and I wouldn’t ask anyone else to. - Pranking seems…
flkiwi on HN
Security concerns about scanning QR codes from strangers.
From 2 comments
"R2-D2 you know better than to trust a strange QR code". Scanning QR codes outside a trusted environment (e.g. a workplace stock keeping system) is asking for trouble. Security…
GJim on HNIt has been a while since a _useful_ new app came along! Thank you, i appreciate it to the point I'd be willing to pay for it. Feedback: Teach people to never ever scan a QR code…
coretx on HN
Accessibility problems for people without smartphones, children and the elderly.
From 1 comment
Not to mention a QR code excludes many people such as children and the elderly who might not have phones
Weetile on HN
Requests
Use NFC or RFID tags instead of QR codes.
From 3 comments
Rather use NFC TAG,
G_o_D on HNI would want a NFC one tbh.
pratibha_simone on HNNfc touch doorbell would also be cool. Though, I do feel it's too technically advanced for most people to use.
langsoul-com on HN
Add WebRTC audio or video and a ding sound in the browser.
From 1 comment
This is a brilliant idea! Love the "take a photo" at the start. I assume (if you answer) it will go through WebRTC? Might be nice to play a "ding dong" sound in the browser?
edent on HN
Better UX and instructions when scanning.
From 1 comment
Feedback: Bad UX. After scanning your example code I got page which asked me to take photo and I get really confused because I thought you want me to scan QR code again but there…
severak_cz on HN
Questions
What is the advantage over a traditional doorbell plus phone?
From 1 comment
What's the advantage of this over a traditional doorbell + a phone (which everyone already has)? If I'm home, I can hear them. If I'm not, they can just message/call me.
sam29681749 on HN
How would the app prevent abuse or pranks?
From 2 comments
Is there a captcha, or can people ding-dong-ditch you from a continent apart?
fph on HNRight now you can ding dong ditch if you have the code. As others mentioned using location could help. Or maybe a one-time-pin?
dirkc on HN
Alternatives named
Cheap wireless doorbells.
From 2 comments
You can get a wireless doorbell for $25 which will require no permission from any reasonable property owner.
aaronax on HNInteresting idea... Cheap wireless doorbell is $5 delivered from Amazon. That's your biggest competition for the straightforward case. And that's easier to install, and easier to…
tln on HN
Ring / smart doorbells.
From 2 comments
if you improve the UX on this thing I think im not a businessmen but i think you would be competing against 'Ring'
anon115 on HNNice work! I wonder if instead of complexity you should call this a cheaper alternative to a smart doorbell? I don't think many of us think of smart doorbells as particularly…
iamjfu on HN
SMS or tel: links on a printed QR code.
From 2 comments
Why does this need an app? Why not just send me a text, or better, yet just an SMSTO link? (ie SMSTO:+1123456:Open the door!)
turtlebits on HNI recently visited a friend in Finland. In Finland it's common for apartments to not have doorbells downstairs. Instead the door has a pincode that people use to get in which are…
jillesvangurp on HN