Each Kevo lock comes with at least two eKeys -- these are encrypted electronic keys that are set up with the app. At the present time, new owners can get five extra eKeys for a total of seven. Need to let a friend or contractor have temporary access to your home? You can send them an eKey via email to give them access, then disable that key once they're done with their visit or work. Don't worry; there are also two regular keys you can give to Grandma and Grandpa so they can get into the house.

Those eKeys can have different access levels. The person who sets up the Kevo lock and app first gets owner access; some users can be given admin access so that they can send, edit and delete eKeys and see notifications, and other users can only do two things -- lock or unlock a Kevo deadbolt.

If you install more than one Kevo lock and want one physical key to be able to open both, no problem -- the Kevo deadbolt uses Kwikset's SmartKey re-keying technology. The lock also supplied superior pick resistance (meeting the UL 437, par. 11.6 standard), and bump keys can't be used to break in.

When the lock is set up and a smartphone is running the app and has a valid eKey, you just go through a simple calibration process. This basically involves locking and unlocking the door several times. How do you do that? Touch the outside casing of the lock. It lights up with blue LEDs while contacting your phone, then turns amber when the deadbolt is locked. To unlock, just tap your finger on the casing and the blue LEDs light up again. You hear the bolt turning, and the light goes green. There are other red LED combinations to inform you of when to replace the batteries in the inside "box" of the Kevo.

What happens if I lose my iPhone or it is stolen? As quickly as I can, I need to get to another device with the Kevo app or go to the MyKevo website, log in with my account, and then disable or delete that phone.

Some other niceties of the app include the ability to see a full history of every action associated with a lock. You can get notifications when a specific user opens a certain lock at a particular time, nice if you want to make sure that your petsitter is really dropping by while you're on vacation.

What I like most about the Kwikset Kevo is that it addresses a key issue of Internet-connected door locks from Kwikset and Schlage -- there's a possibility that those locks could be hacked remotely. With the Kevo, you have to be physically present with your device (or a fob or key) to open the door. So although I can't unlock the door for someone halfway across the world with a tap, I can send those people I know and trust an eKey in a few taps.

Conclusion

The world of connected devices is expanding every day, and using your iOS device as an authentication device for locking and unlocking your doors is a wonderful way to introduce yourself and your family to it. Kwikset has made retrofitting your home with Kevo deadbolts amazingly easy (especially if you already have deadbolts installed), and the system works very well. While Kevo is more expensive than a traditional deadbolt lock, the ability to distribute and control eKeys makes it much more versatile.

Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible