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August's fourth-gen WiFi Smart Lock drops to $219 on Amazon
It's the lowest price we've seen on the device to date.
UPS will expand its in-building delivery service to 10 more cities
Do you like the thought of UPS delivering packages to your apartment building when you're not home? UPS certainly does. The courier plans to bring its in-building delivery option to 10 more cities starting in mid-2019, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, Seattle and Washington, DC. The concept remains the same as in the existing New York City and San Francisco. If you opt for it, a smart access device from Latch will let the courier enter the building and drop off your goods at a common space like the lobby or mail room -- you shouldn't get that dreaded "failed delivery attempt" notice just because you couldn't take a few hours off work.
Schlage's WiFi deadbolt lock can open the door for Amazon couriers
You now have another (and potentially better) option if you want a Schlage lock that can let Amazon couriers into your home. The company has unveiled the Encode, the first WiFi-equipped deadbolt that supports Key by Amazon. Unlike the Connect, you don't need a hub -- you just install the lock and fire up the app. It unsurprisingly plays well with Ring's devices, too. You now have the option to let people in when watching live video from a Ring doorbell or camera.
Kwikset and Mighton unveil HomeKit-friendly smart locks
Apple is bent on extending HomeKit's reach at CES this year, and you don't need to look much further than the smart lock world for proof. Kwikset and Mighton Products are both unveiling locks that can take advantage of HomeKit, such as unlocking the door through Siri. Kwikset is unveiling contemporary-looking versions of the Premis (above), a touchscreen-equipped deadbolt that comes in thoroughly modern (if not exactly adventurous) nickel and black hues. It's reaching the US sometime in 2019 for $229.
Beijing uses face-detecting smart locks to curb public housing abuses
China's ever-growing reliance on facial recognition is spreading to public housing. Beijing is ramping up the use of face-detecting smart locks in public housing projects to bolster security for tenants (such as denying access to strangers) and crack down on abuses like illegal sublets. It even asks management to check on senior residents if they haven't entered or left their homes after a certain period of time.
Schlage's new smart lock lets Amazon into your house
Locks are usually meant to keep people out of your house, but Schlage and Amazon are letting people in -- as long as they're dropping off a package for you. Schlage's new Zigbee-certified Connect Smart Deadbolt is the latest smart lock to work with with the Amazon Key service that allows packages to be dropped off inside your home.
Lockly's smart locks promise better security through algorithms
Lockly thinks it has what it takes to stand out in the nascent smart lock market. Its latest model, the Secure Plus, uses a 3D fingerprint sensor combined with proprietary algorithm-based passcode tech which, together, supposedly makes the setup "virtually impenetrable," according to the company. The lock is available in deadbolt and latch-style configurations and you can still use a physical key to lock and unlock the door in case of an internet outage.
The new Ring Stick Up Cam works with Ring Alarm security system
Amazon is rolling out a bunch of new gadgets today, a few of which are focused on home security. Among those is a new Ring Stick Up Cam, which will come in both wired and battery-powered versions. It can be used indoors or outside, comes in black and white and will be able to work alongside the Ring Alarm security system when used indoors. These are the first cameras from Ring that are meant for indoor and outdoor use and they'll feature motion detection, 1080p HD resolution, night vision, two-way talk, a siren and a wide viewing angle. Users will be able to program them to start recording once Ring Alarm is triggered.
Google Assistant now controls your Nest x Yale smart lock
You'd think the Nest x Yale Lock would support Google Assistant from the outset given its pedigree, but not so -- you've had to use the app. It's finally here, though. As of August 29th, you can use Google Assistant to control the Nest x Yale Lock with your voice. You can lock the door or check its status whether or not you're at home, including as part of Assistant's Routines. If you're ready to pack it in for the night, you can lock the door as you're shutting off the lights.
Alexa can unlock Yale's smart deadbolt locks
Amazon's Alexa has been useful for locking Yale's smart deadbolts, but what about unlocking them when there's a guest at the door? You're set after today. Yale has introduced Alexa support for unlocking its Assure Locks with voice commands. You'll need to set and remember a four-digit code, but that still makes it easy to let someone in without moving from the couch. You can always launch the app if you're not within range of a smart speaker.
Alexa can open Schlage smart locks
Schlage announced today that users of its Sense and Connect smart locks will now be able to unlock them with Alexa. Users have been able to lock and check the status of their smart deadbolts with Amazon's digital assistant since October, but unlocking them still required a phone. Now Sense and Connect owners can use any Alexa-enabled device to unlock their doors for them.
August smart locks can now let the delivery driver into your home
While Amazon continues to toy with the idea of granting delivery drivers one-time access to your front door (or car trunk) to safely stow packages away from nimble-fingered thieves, August Home has gone ahead and added the functionality to its line of smart locks. The company announced on Tuesday that it is teaming with same-day delivery service, Deliv, to offer in-home package drops.
Yale's Nest-controlled smart lock arrives in early 2018
Yale, the lock company that recently purchased August, recently joined forces with Nest on a new smart lock, and we now know more about the product and when it will arrive. The Nest x Yale lock gives you a key-free, touchscreen deadbolt with a lot of options for remote unlocking and granting access to family or guests. For one, you can unlock it by entering a passcode (it holds up to 250), which can be limited to specific times of day for cleaners or others who need limited access.
Google Assistant will unlock Schlage Sense deadbolts
Schlage's Sense smart deadbolt now works with (almost) any virtual assistant under the Sun. The lock maker has revealed that Sense will support Google Assistant early in the first quarter, letting you check on your door (and, of course, lock it) from your Google Home or mobile apps that use the AI helper. You'll need the Sense WiFi adapter to make this work, but it'll give you the choice of Assistant, Alexa or Siri (via HomeKit) -- not bad when some rivals only offer one or two options.
Smart lock maker Otto folds before releasing its first product
On a landscape increasingly driven by smart devices, a digital smart lock seemed like an obvious addition to the raft of home automation products already on the market. But Otto, the company that came closer than any other to making the product a sellable reality, has now closed its doors -- just four months after showing off its device to the world.
Schlage Sense now locks itself with an Alexa voice command
You can already lock and unlock Schlage's Sense smart deadbolt with your voice through Siri, but you now have another choice if you're not a fan of Apple devices. The smart lock is now compatible with Amazon Alexa, so you can lock (but unfortunately, not unlock) it or check out its status by barking out voice commands through an Echo speaker or any of the e-retail giant's Alexa-enabled devices. If you want to play with the integration a bit more, you can fire up the Alexa app and create "routines" for your smart devices triggered by key words. For instance, you can create a sequence that automatically locks your front door and switches off the lights when you say "good night."
Amazon's home security Cloud Cam supports Alexa
Along with its "Key" indoor delivery service for Prime members, Amazon has unveiled a new AWS cloud-powered surveillance camera. The infrared-capable Cloud Cam lets you confirm deliveries via the Key service and get custom notifications depending on the activities or people it spots. You can also control up to ten Cloud Cams and see specific views with your Echo device by saying "Alexa, show me the [camera name]."
Smart lock company August Home purchased by actual lock company Yale
Smart-lock outfit Yale's parent company is buying August Home, in a move that may consolidate some of the smart lock market. The regulatory bodies involved are expected to approve Sweden-based Assa Abloy's purchase by year's end. "August Home strengthens our residential smart door strategy with complementary smart locks, expansion into video doorbells and comprehensive solutions for home delivery," ASSA's executive vice president Thanasis Molokotos said in a statement.
August's latest smart locks warn if you left the door open
If you've lived on this planet long enough, you've probably had that moment where you thought you'd closed the door on your way out, only to find out that it didn't quite shut. But how are you supposed to know if no one's at home to tell you, and even many smart locks won't fill in the gap? August Home thinks it has the answer. It's introducing two new locks, a lower-cost August Smart Lock (shown at center) and the August Smart Lock Pro (at left), that include a sensor to determine whether or not the door is really closed. If it's ajar and the deadbolt didn't engage, you can find out through your phone instead of having to return home.
Smart locks rendered dumb by automatic update fail
Making dumb things smart can have its benefits, but adding complexity to once-simple devices can also lead to unforeseen problems. It's a lesson smart lock maker LockState is all too aware of, after a clumsily delivered automatic update bricked hundreds of the gizmos, rendering their fancier features like remote locking and unlocking unusable.
