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Sesame's smart door lock lets you in with a simple knock
There's no shortage of smart door locks, but they typically require that you bring out your phone or enter a code to get in. Wouldn't it be nice if you could just knock, like you're visiting a friend? Candy House thinks that's a decent idea. It just unveiled Sesame, a smart lock that lets you get in with a secret knock on either your door or your phone -- you don't have to pull out a device, tap a number pad or even speak a command (though that's available) to open things up. The design should fit on your existing deadbolt lock within "seconds," and an optional WiFi bridge gives you both remote access as well as an easy way to determine which friends are allowed inside.
August: the beautiful, Yves Behar-designed $199 smart lock
The home automation market is really starting to take off, and surprisingly, it's door locks that are proving to be one of the biggest areas of interest. Established home security companies like Kwikset and mobile carriers (via unnamed OEMs) are working to combine smartphones and deadbolts, while startups like Smart Knob are using offline technology to simplify vacation rentals. August, the brainchild of Yves Behar and Jason Johnson, combines elements of both approaches and does so with Behar's typical flair for stunning design. The primary way of unlocking an August-equipped door is through an app that pairs with the stylish mechanism via Bluetooth. But it skips out on the direct internet connection, which could leave it more vulnerable to hacks. Instead, it passes all necessary online communications through the paired phone or tablet. In fact, it's capable of operating without an internet connection at all, since it relies on algorithmically generated keys, similar to a secure ID token. Those "keys" are assigned to specific devices, that also have the app installed, which are identified via Bluetooth LE. Each lock is synced up with Augusts' servers and attached to a unique account that you manage through the companion app. And, even if the batteries die, you can still use the old standby: an actual key. %Gallery-189729%
Assa Abloy developing NFC-enabled key cards for BlackBerry handsets, locked doors
The BlackBerry of the future may just unlock new doors -- literally. This week, RIM inked a new partnership with Sweden's own Assa Abloy, the company behind those NFC-enabled door locks we've seen in recent years. In a statement released Tuesday, Assa Abloy said it was working with the handset manufacturer to develop similar key card technology for the BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930, as well as the BlackBerry Curve 9350 and 9360. According to the company, the idea is to allow BlackBerry users to enter corporate facilities using only their handsets, thereby replacing traditional access cards, though the technology could also be incorporated into residential buildings or garage doors. This would marks the first time that Assa Abloy has implemented its NFC systems into a mobile system, though the firm pointed out that its deal with RIM isn't exclusive, suggesting that similar arrangements with other manufacturers may be in the pipeline.
Linksys router turned into smartphone-controlled doorman (video)
Working for a large company comes with a lot of baggage, the least of which is an RFID security badge. For those small companies who can't afford such extravagantly wireless door key solutions there's another option: this DIY project completed by a team of developers at Sunlight Labs. It all centers around a Linksys WRT54GL, a Linux-based wireless router that, with a little firmware hackery and a bit of wiring, was tethered into the office's door release buzzer. The team then went about allowing SSH access to the router and created Android and iPhone apps that instantly connect to the device and open the door, authenticated by a PIN and a unique ID assigned to each device. Users can also deliver their PIN via SMS or a simple phone call to open the door. Elegant, impressive, open source, and one less thing to forget on a Monday morning when groggily heading to the office.
Kwikset finally adds remote locking functionality to door locks
Kwikset's SmartKey line of wares have been lacking in intelligence for quite awhile, but at long last, the outfit has finally added a pivotal feature here at CEDIA: true remote locking and unlocking. The new remote access control solution is being dubbed SmartCode with Home Connect -- an unnecessarily lengthy way of explaining how the company's keyless locks can now communicate wirelessly with other devices. Users can also check-in on door lock status when they aren't automatically arming / disarming, and you can initiate customized scenes upon entrance and exit in order to more accurately pretend that you're Prince. There's no mention of pricing, but given that you'll need to hit up a Control4 retailer to get your hands on this puissant technology, we'd recommend bringing the bank.Update: The MSRP is set at $349.
Axxis fingerprint door lock invites hacker wannabes to burgle your premises
Biometric security might sound cool, but relying on fingerprint recognition alone for securing anything more serious than your Windows password typically results in the rapid hacking, whether through flesh or software, of that protection. Well, Axxis is trying to address this problem with a new dual-factor security lock -- requiring a PIN alongside fingerprint identification -- which allows you to customize access times for each registered user and also spy on their comings and goings. Retailing for $699 per lock, alongside an entirely-not-optional $299 accessory, this is hardly a bargain bin item -- with a price like that, a burglar might be inclined to steal the locks instead of your treasured possessions.
USB-authenticated deadbolt lock promises to only let geeks pass
Sure you can go crazy and drop a few hundred bucks on a high-tech door lock, or you can follow the lead of the folks from Makers Local 256 and build this USB-authenticated deadbolt, which should set you back just $60 -- or no doubt less if you can scavenge up some spare parts. The setup is based on Arduino's slightly lesser known cousin the Freeduino, and effectively turns any standard USB thumb drive into a key, which can be just as easily lost or misplaced as a regular key but not as easily duplicated. What's more, it's not the data on the drive that gets read by the lock, but rather the serial number on a chip, which leaves the rest of the drive free for you to use as you please. Head on past the break to check it out in action.
Schlage LiNK web-controlled Z-Wave door locks priced right out of consideration
We first spotted Schlage's web-controlled Z-Wave door locks back in May, but Schlage was still working out details on everything from the name to pricing, and it looks like ditching that key for online access will be pretty pricey: a LiNK lock "starter kit" will run $299 for a lock and Z-Wave Ethernet bridge that enables network control, with additional locks going for $199. On top of that, you'll be charged $12.99 a month for access to the LiNK portal and mobile apps, including 100MB of video storage if you add a video camera to the system. Good luck with that, Schlage -- turns out regular keys don't charge a monthly fee to keep doors locked.
Schlage announces web-enabled Z-Wave door locks
The Z-Wave standard for home automation has already proven itself to be a pretty versatile bit of technology, and it looks like its now set to ensnare yet another part of your house, with lock-maker Schlage set to introduce some web-enabled Z-Wave door locks. Those will let you lock or unlock your door from your PC, cellphone or any other wireless, web-enabled device -- or, of course, from the lock itself. That's done with the aid of a Z-Wave gateway that connects to your router, which relays the RF signals to and from the lock (or one of up to 256 other Z-Wave devices), and gives you the added benefit of extending the life of the batteries in the lock, which Schlage says should last for up to three years. Otherwise, the details on the locks themselves are pretty light, with the folks at Schlage only going so far as to say that they'll look "pretty similar" to their non-Z-Wave locks (pictured at right), and that they'll be "affordable," though presumably not less than the $150 their current locks go for.[Thanks, Steve]
eKey's biometric entry system converts your fingers into keys
Biometric door locks are far from new, but eKey's Biometric Entry System ups the ante over traditional iterations by putting more than just one of your digits to work. The Bio-View biometric access system enables your various fingers to control different tasks, meaning that swiping your index finger could open or lock a door, while your middle finger controls the security system. Additionally, the unit includes "an adjustable camera and intercom," and it can be configured "with a wide range of options and colors." The device is said to even be compatible with several third-party apparatus, and while you can certainly hit the read link for more details on eKey's latest, we'll hopefully be getting a much closer look ourselves when it debuts at CEDIA.
Finger vein scanner will unlock your door
We're not really sure why a good ol' fingerprint reader wouldn't do the trick (oh, wait), but apparently Sumitomo and Hitachi decided what the world really needs is a finger vein reader to lock and unlock doors. While this exact technology is certainly not brand new, this particular implementation seems to be. From what we can tell, you place your fingertips on the reader, and presto, the door unlocks, assuming your veins match its stored list of 10 authorized patterns. According to Plastic Bamboo, it'll cost ¥150,000 ($1,280) -- but, at that price, we'll stick to the tried-and-true analog deadbolt method.
Digital fingerprint door lock defeated by photocopied 'print
There's an old adage in the security community that any lock can be picked. Well in this modern age of digital doorlocks with fingerprint scanners, you can't exactly pick them with a bump key, nail file or other such assorted tools, now can you? Luckliy for budding criminals, the smart cats on "Mythbusters" discovered that one of these "never been broken" digital fingerprint scanner locks (they didn't cite the manufacturer) -- which also comes with thermal sensors (to detect if there's a real human behind that print) -- can in fact be quite easily duped. So how'd they do it? By copying the master fingerprint onto a piece of latex and attaching it to his thumb, Adam Savage was able to open the lock without a problem. Savage and his team then duplicated the feat by making another copy with ballistics gel. And to top it all off, they did it a third time (check the video link below) with a just a photocopy of the master fingerprint and a little saliva. Perhaps our own Marc Weber Tobias should have a word with the makers of these schlocky locks.
