Yves Behar announces August iPhone-controlled smart lock
At the D11 conference on Wednesday, fuseproject's Yves Behar announced August, a new Bluetooth-connected smart lock that lets owners use a smartphone as a wireless key.
August lock, exploded view. | Source: August
Following in the footsteps of other home automation products, August is yet another entrant into the door lock category set to be populated with upcoming products like Kwikset's UniKey-powered Kevo and a Kickstarter project called Lockitron.
Designed by Yves Behar, August attaches to a door's deadbolt and leverages the Bluetooth Low Energy protocol to create virtual smartphone keys, allowing users to lock and unlock the mechanism without physical contact. The device runs on four AA batteries and is completely self-sufficient, meaning it will work even in the case of a power outage. Charges last up to six months.
What makes August different is its design, which resembles a chunkier Nest Learning Thermostat. On the front is an array of lock status LEDs, while a rotatable collar acts as a physical backup in case batteries fail or something goes wrong with the Bluetooth connection.
Users can issue time-based key codes to friends and family, who can accept the invitations via email to turn their smartphones into virtual keys. Whenever a guest opens or closes the door, the owner is alerted to the activity. Since the system relies completely on Bluetooth, and is not connected to Wi-Fi, it most likely sends out these alert messages via a guest's smartphone.
In comparison to competing products like Kevo, Behar's August mounts on the inside of a user's door without the need for a complete lock replacement. Installation is supposedly simple, but perhaps not as easy as Lockitron, which requires no screws or tinkering as it sits directly on top of the existing lock handle.
August can be pre-ordered from the company's website for $199.
August lock, exploded view. | Source: August
Following in the footsteps of other home automation products, August is yet another entrant into the door lock category set to be populated with upcoming products like Kwikset's UniKey-powered Kevo and a Kickstarter project called Lockitron.
Designed by Yves Behar, August attaches to a door's deadbolt and leverages the Bluetooth Low Energy protocol to create virtual smartphone keys, allowing users to lock and unlock the mechanism without physical contact. The device runs on four AA batteries and is completely self-sufficient, meaning it will work even in the case of a power outage. Charges last up to six months.
What makes August different is its design, which resembles a chunkier Nest Learning Thermostat. On the front is an array of lock status LEDs, while a rotatable collar acts as a physical backup in case batteries fail or something goes wrong with the Bluetooth connection.
Users can issue time-based key codes to friends and family, who can accept the invitations via email to turn their smartphones into virtual keys. Whenever a guest opens or closes the door, the owner is alerted to the activity. Since the system relies completely on Bluetooth, and is not connected to Wi-Fi, it most likely sends out these alert messages via a guest's smartphone.
In comparison to competing products like Kevo, Behar's August mounts on the inside of a user's door without the need for a complete lock replacement. Installation is supposedly simple, but perhaps not as easy as Lockitron, which requires no screws or tinkering as it sits directly on top of the existing lock handle.
August can be pre-ordered from the company's website for $199.
Comments
Quote:
Originally Posted by Arlor
Okay, it'll work in the case of a power outage...but will it work in the case of a power outage on your phone? Yikes.
Never mind. I see that the key is on the outside.
However, it's kind of disturbing how little information there is on the website. It's very flashy and smooth looking but there is no real (detailed) information on how it works. There isn't a single picture of the *outside* of the lock for instance. There's also no addressing of obvious questions like how does it know what side of the door you are on, or really much detail on anything at all.
Whoever they hired to communicate the value of the product doesn't seem very good. I certainly wouldn't "reserve" sight-unseen, based on this and I'm actually in the market for a new door lock for my front door at the moment.
I'd like more details about the lock dimensions and makers it supports before reserving—and how does it work when you have two on one door?
Hacked in 5,4,3,...
"I bought this lock and all I got was my lousy house jail broken".
so what happens if someone steals your phone, finds out where you live and just walks right into your house?
I guess the maker never thought of that... /s~ LeAnn Rimes - "How do I...."
Quote:
Originally Posted by drblank
so what happens if someone steals your phone, finds out where you live and just walks right into your house?
Probably the exact same thing that happens if someone steals your keys/purse/etc? The difference being you can't remote lock/wipe your house keys the way you can a phone.
My car has this feature, as well. I can use my iPhone to lock or unlock my car (or start the engine or check fluid levels, etc).
You can see where this is going, your iPhone will soon unlock your car, unlock your house, be your wallet.. Sounds scary but having one device instead of multiple keys is fantastic... Then of course, there is the old privacy issues... But hey it's cool.
Well, when apple brings out the smart thumb scanner on the home button - problem solved unless of course they cut your thumb off.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jragosta
My car has this feature, as well. I can use my iPhone to lock or unlock my car (or start the engine or check fluid levels, etc).
Does anyone know of a list of cars with this ability? I just spent a decent amount of time googling and could not find such a list.
I will leave my iPhone under the mat? Keys work just fine.