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12 tech gifts for the geekiest people in your life
There's one in every family: The uber geek who pretty much has it all when it comes to tech basics. They don't need a laptop or a fancy TV. But don't worry, there's always some gap in their collection of gadgets that you can easily fill. And remember, the more niche the product, the better gift it is for these folks. You could get them started on building out their smart home with a lock like August or Kevo. Or maybe they need a central hub to control their sprawling network of connected goods from, like an Amazon Echo Dot. If the nerd in your life is too young for a smart home, you can always pick them up a high-tech take on the paper airplane or a box of tinker toys like LittleBits, to get them start on their journey to become the next great inventor. For our full list of recommendations in all categories, don't forget to stop by our main Holiday Gift Guide hub.
Amazon partners are reportedly exploring in-home deliveries
With Amazon steadily speeding up its shipping options -- there's free same-day shipping in plenty of cities for Prime customers, for example -- it was only a matter of time until it started looking into other ways to complete orders. According to The Information, the smart lock company August and the connected garage door firm Garageio, both of which have ties to Amazon, are reportedly looking into ways to let delivery people leave packages in your home when you're not around. And while it sounds creepy at first, it could be useful for plenty of Amazon customers who can't receive packages at work, and who don't have the privilege of living in a building with a doorman.
Amazon Echo now controls your August Smart Lock
Amazon's Echo is about to become much more useful if you've ever worried about leaving the door unlocked. August Home is introducing an Alexa skill that gives you voice control over its Smart Lock system. If you have a first- or second-generation lock with an August Connect bridge, you can ask Alexa to both check a lock's status and lock the door. It's a simple addition, but it beats having to pull out your phone or walk across the house simply because you didn't remember to lock up when you got home.
Charge through 'Resident Evil 4' yet again on August 30th
Capcom announced that Resident Evil 4 was getting re-released on modern consoles earlier this year, but now exactly when the best modern entry in the series will surface. And it's a little earlier than expected, too. Previously, all the publisher/developer revealed was an ambiguous "fall" timeframe. Now? You'll be able to experience one of gaming's best boss fights ever ("Del Lago," pictured above) on your PlayStation 4 and Xbox One come August 30th.
HomeKit does indeed make the August Smart Lock more useful
The August Smart Lock is not new. We reviewed it way back in 2014, and for the most part, everything we mentioned then still applies. The lock is still super easy to install, and it still works with deadbolts, not knobs. Most importantly, using an app instead of physical keys can still be an adjustment, but being able to control your lock remotely really is an interesting convenience. So why bother revisiting, then? Because two years post-launch, it's finally been upgraded with HomeKit integration. Since Engadget hasn't actually tested many HomeKit devices yet, we thought this one was worth a second look.
The best smart lock
By Jon Chase This post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a buyer's guide to the best technology. Read the full article here. After spending more than three months researching and testing eight leading models in both side-by-side tests and real-world everyday use, we feel that the Kwikset Kevo with the optional Kevo Plus module is the best choice for most homeowners. It's the most versatile lock we tested—you can control it via a standard key, a wireless key fob, or a smartphone (at close range or remotely, over the Internet). It consistently had the fastest unlock/lock response times of all the locks we tested, and the mechanical whir of its moving parts was among the quietest.
Yves Behar on designing beautiful, functional products
Engadget caught up with world-renowned product designer and co-founder of August, a leader in home security products, Yves Behar at Wednesday's Smart Lock event. I picked his brain about his ever-evolving creative process, how consumer tastes have influenced it and how to build a smart home device that stands out from the crowd.
August unveils a Homekit-enabled lock, keypad and doorbell camera
August Home Inc, makers of the August Smart Lock, announced the forthcoming release of three new products as well as a new service at a press event in San Francisco today. The new product lineup includes a second-generation Smart Lock, a Smart Keypad and a Smart Doorbell Camera. The lock itself offers a number of design improvements over its predecessor including a magnetic faceplate that won't pop off every time you manually engage the lock as well as a stainless steel indicator on the lock sleeve. Plus, being Homekit-enabled, the new Smart Lock will allow users to issue voice commands through Siri rather than opening the app itself. It's available for order today and will retail for $230. The older generation locks will be discounted to $200.
Comcast's home automation app links with Nest, Lutron and more
Earlier this year Comcast said its Xfinity Home service would start connecting to more automation gadgets you probably already own, and now it does. Right now, its app (iOS, Android) connects to Nest thermostats, August Smart Locks, Chamberlain MyQ garage controllers, and Lutron's Caseta light controls. The plan is to eventually make all of these services controllable via the new X1 set-top boxes and voice remote controls (now available in Spanish), but that's not ready yet. Comcast is also bringing an SDK that should make it easier for other home automation platforms to build links to their own setups -- with Comcast's approval, of course. Is a cable set-top box really the right place to put the brains of your smart home? With the TV business rapidly becoming just another part of the internet, Comcast sure hopes so.
Apple Watch now works with August's designer smart lock
Unlocking a door with your smartphone feels like the future, but you still have to fish something out of your pocket to do it. If you happen to own one of the Yves Behar designed August smart locks, however, you can open it with something on your wrist -- an Apple Watch. You can now lock and unlock the device "with just a swipe and a tap" on a Watch, according to August. In addition, you can view a log of who has come and gone, and get a notification when someone locks or unlocks your door.
Comcast's Xfinity Home works with automation tech you already own
Comcast's Xfinity Home has been automating living spaces for a while, but now the company is opening up the cloud-based system to more gadgets. Starting this summer, customers can add devices from August, Automatic, Cuff, Leeo, Lutron, Rachio, SkyBell and Whistle to the kit that already wrangles motion sensors, connected outlets, cameras and more. We're talking about things like August's smart locks, Automatic's car tracker and Cuff's smart jewelery. What's more, Comcast is teaming up with Nest as part of the Works with Nest effort to bring that smart thermostat into the fold, too. In addition to those new partners, Comcast will open up an SDK later this year alongside a Works with Xfinity Home certification program to make sure approved devices can be used with minimal headaches.
August Connect adds internet connectivity to its smart lock
August already has this smart lock thing down (at least in theory). When it works, August is as desirable as anything else on the market. But the company can't just sit still and wait for the rest of the industry to catch up. The August Connect aims to be a cheap and easy way to keep the company ahead of the curve. The small device connects to a power outlet near your Smart Lock and gets it connected to the internet through the power of WiFi. That means you can finally check the status of your lock remotely, "buzz-in" the plumber from your office, and get notifications about any little change. The Connect basically adds a bunch of features many say the August should have had from day one. But these remote-access options open up a whole bunch of questions about security and we think most would rather the company play it safe when it comes to the safety of their homes and belongings.
Engadget Daily: AQUOS Crystal review, the August smart lock and more!
What's that? A brand-new phone from Sharp? Yep, it's called the AQUOS Crystal and it looks good. That's not all we have on deck though -- read on for our news highlights from the last 24 hours, including the August smart lock, Google's ongoing licensing battle with Oracle, and more. Read on for Engadget's news highlights from the last 24 hours.
IRL: August's renovation-free smart lock is convenient, if unnecessary
I rent a one-bedroom apartment in New York City, which means if I want to make my home "smart," my options are pretty limited. A Nest Thermostat is out of the question. Truth is I don't even have a dumb thermostat in my apartment; there's a middleman standing between me and my heat. A smart lock would also normally be a no go, since that would mean replacing the whole lock and getting new keys. (Plus, I'm sure my landlord wouldn't want to foot the bill.) But August, as co-founder Jason Johnson is fond of saying, isn't really a smart lock. It's more like a robot that attaches to your existing lock. And since it only replaces the thumb latch on the inside of your deadbolt, it actually allowed me to give my roughly 90-year-old (and showing it) apartment a 21st century update.
August smart lock delayed until Q1 2014, available for pre-order now
The August smart lock was set to ship to customers beginning later this year, but for reasons unknown, it's now delayed. The $199 Yves Behar-designed deadbolt, which can be controlled via a smartphone app connected over Bluetooth, is available for pre-orders beginning today, and will now debut with silver, bronze, black and red finishes. Additionally, August will also now support a feature called EverLock, which recognizes when you've closed a door behind you and automatically engages the bolt. Check out the new colors in the gallery below; if you like what you see, you can hit up the source link to place an order.
Gloria Victis doubles playable land area in August update
The fantasy MMO Gloria Victis has released notes on a new pre-alpha update last week that not only doubled the land area for players to explore, but also added a new town that most fans of the game have been anticipating. Aside from sound and game performance improvements, the team at Black Eye Games says the focus for August will be polishing mechanics rather than developing new content. And if you have an itch to be a virtual star, the team is looking for in-game actors for the game's upcoming promotional videos. Be sure to check out the gallery of nine new images below and head on over to the forums for info on the update.%Gallery-188901%
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%
Dota 2's The International tournament will return August 7
The Dota 2 tournament called "The International" is set to return for a third round this year, with two different qualifiers leading up to a championship on August 7. The West Qualifier will run May 13-19, and be hosted by eSports outfit GDStudio, and the East Qualifier, hosted by BeyondtheSummit, will go from May 20-26.Those two qualifier winners will be joined by last year's winners from Invictus Gaming, twelve other contenders, and a special Wild Card contender, to be determined from the qualifier runner-ups right before the final showdown.The contest itself will take place at Benaroya Hall in Seattle, WA, and all of the matches will be broadcast online to watch for free. No official prizes have been announced yet, but traditionally The International boasts a $1 million payout for the winner, so the stakes will undoubtedly be high.
TUAW Year in Review: August 2012
Welcome to TUAW's Year in Review. Month by month, we're running down the top stories of 2012, all day long on New Year's Day. Jury finds Samsung guilty of infringing on Apple's patents, awards Apple $1.05 billion in damages (updated) A California jury has found Samsung guilty of infringing on Apple's patents, resulting in damages totaling more than $1.05 billion to be awarded to Apple. The verdict is broken down as... Apple's original software construction kit: HyperCard turns twenty-five years old today Twenty-five years ago today, HyperCard was released at Macworld Expo Boston. Apple's software construction kit for the rest of us began shipping on every new Mac as of August 11, 1987; you could... Breakdown of the decisions in Apple versus Samsung verdict The jury handed down its decision today in the case between Apple and Samsung in the US. It was a big win for Apple and a sweeping loss for Samsung, which will have to pay nearly $1.05 billion in... ATD: Samsung could have licensed Apple patents in 2010 Sitting through a patent trial day after day is a tough assignment for AllThingsD's Ina Fried, as today's technical testimony led the judge to inquire of the jury if anyone needed caffeine. But... Macs abound at NASA/JPL Mars Curiosity mission control For those of us who stayed up late last night to watch the streaming coverage of the Curiosity rover's landing on Mars, it was a treat to see the huge numbers of MacBooks, iPads, and even iPhones... Also: Apple Stores matching iPhone discounts from retailers and carriers Top gaming platform of all time? It might be iOS Google to challenge Siri with its updated Google search app Apple rolls out new "All on iPad" ad The New Yorker now available on iPhone Mat Honan details the Amazon and Apple security flaws that let hackers wipe his MacBook Rumor: Apple to add smaller Dock connector to all iOS devices this fall Twitter's API plans cause trouble for iOS devs, but they're sticking with it OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion gripe list Steve Jobs' stolen iPad used by street performer TIME: How your phone is changing the world Apple retail chiefs refute layoffs, address employees Apple's toughest nut yet: Cable operators Microsoft has no plans for Retina display Office apps (updated) Are we getting a clearer picture of the iPad mini? Are Retina MacBooks displaying screen issues? Palo Alto home of late Steve Jobs burglarized Google, PayPal, VeriFone and US carriers form Mobile Payments Committee without Apple, Square Report: Freeverse co-founders leave the company One year of Tim Cook as CEO of Apple OnLive sells company, lays off about 50% of staff Would you check your iPhone at the door of a restaurant for a discount? How apps are helping small business save money Apple adds form to report intellectual property infringement on the App Store Grandma plus iPad equals artistic expression A home office that looks like a mini Apple Store Mac 101: Use Image Capture to clear off old iPhone pictures How to be an Apple Genius: A look inside the manual US Federal Aviation Administration to re-examine in-flight electronics use Google reacts to Apple vs. Samsung decision Thunderbolt to FireWire adapter now definitely available Verizon Wireless sales staff allegedly dissing the iPhone David Pogue's iPhone lost, searched for, found, world safe for kittens Opening statements delivered in Apple vs. Samsung trial
Horn gets a trailer, coming later this month
We already knew that the developers behind the iOS horror game Dark Meadow were working on a new title called Horn, but now here's a trailer to watch. As you can tell, it looks pretty darn good. It's not quite as scary as the first game, though there are a few spooky elements, and the graphics look terrific. The game also looks like it will have a few more story and RPG elements to play with, so it should be fun. The trailer also mentions that we won't have long to wait: Horn is due out this month. That's good news for fans of the first game who are looking to see what Phosphor has been working on. As soon as we see Horn in the App Store, we'll let you know.
