iPhone-controlled August Smart Lock finally starts shipping to preorder customers
After nearly a year's wait, Yves Behar-designed August Smart Locks finally started shipping out to preorder customers on Tuesday and the company plans to have supply ready for a wider launch by October.
First announced in May of last year, the August Smart Lock went up for pre-sale a few months later in October and, after a few delays, is finally on their way to customers.
August is an app-connected deadbolt add-on similar to Lockitron, but attaches directly onto the bolt, replacing interior latch hardware. With some assembly required, the smart device is a bit like Kwikset's Kevo unit.
Designed by Yves Behar, August resembles a large puck that shares similarities with Nest's Learning Thermometer, except without the display and touch controls. The lock can be accessed wirelessly via Bluetooth Low Energy and an iOS app, meaning users can share virtual keys with family and friends from an iPhone.
August claims compatibility with a wide variety of deadbolts and promises quiet operation, a feature most products lack. Made of metal, the device runs on four AA batteries, which last a claimed six months, and is able to operate in the event of a power outage. If the unit malfunctions, a rotating collar acts as a physical backup inside, while users can unlock the deadbolt with a regular key from outside.
With a mid-October ship date for orders placed today, August should come just in time for the launch of Apple's HomeKit app framework for connected homes, which will debut in iOS 8 alongside next-generation iPhone models in September. With HomeKit, developers and hardware manufacturers are able to build native software for iOS that can be linked to Siri for remote control access. It is not yet known if August will support HomeKit.
August can be purchased for a retail price of $250 from the company's website.
First announced in May of last year, the August Smart Lock went up for pre-sale a few months later in October and, after a few delays, is finally on their way to customers.
August is an app-connected deadbolt add-on similar to Lockitron, but attaches directly onto the bolt, replacing interior latch hardware. With some assembly required, the smart device is a bit like Kwikset's Kevo unit.
Designed by Yves Behar, August resembles a large puck that shares similarities with Nest's Learning Thermometer, except without the display and touch controls. The lock can be accessed wirelessly via Bluetooth Low Energy and an iOS app, meaning users can share virtual keys with family and friends from an iPhone.
August claims compatibility with a wide variety of deadbolts and promises quiet operation, a feature most products lack. Made of metal, the device runs on four AA batteries, which last a claimed six months, and is able to operate in the event of a power outage. If the unit malfunctions, a rotating collar acts as a physical backup inside, while users can unlock the deadbolt with a regular key from outside.
With a mid-October ship date for orders placed today, August should come just in time for the launch of Apple's HomeKit app framework for connected homes, which will debut in iOS 8 alongside next-generation iPhone models in September. With HomeKit, developers and hardware manufacturers are able to build native software for iOS that can be linked to Siri for remote control access. It is not yet known if August will support HomeKit.
August can be purchased for a retail price of $250 from the company's website.
Comments
Yeah; doesn't inspire confidence.
Seems pointless compared to a keypad lock.
A lock not integrated with home control systems misses a LOT of functionality.
My home lock now locks automatically if my "away" mode on home alarm is turned on. I can triple tap my garage lightswitch which will put my home in away mode and turn all my lights off too.
Of course my control4 system cost a sick amount of money... That is the part that needs to change for what superficially is now "low tech".
the device runs on four AA batteries, which last a claimed six months, and is able to operate in the event of a power outage. If the unit malfunctions, a rotating collar acts as a physical backup inside, while users can unlock the deadbolt with a regular key from outside.
More batteries, plus an iPhone.
No thx, I'll stay with the very reliable key !
A public beta.
The funny thing is that the iPhone used in that video is now 3 generations old, soon to be 4.
I'm pretty skeptical of this report about anything shipping. I was a day one preorder and haven't received an e-mail of any kind from August.
Me too!! I preordered in June 2013!! Confirmed order few months later (shipping address and payment info), and have not gotten an email as to shipping, nor any communication whatsoever.
I'm pretty skeptical of this report about anything shipping. I was a day one preorder and haven't received an e-mail of any kind from August.
Pretty fucking unprofessional of them.
Talk about "A brand new filling for a brand new hole".
I'll carry on using a key - seems to have worked well for centuries ... and you don't have to replace the batteries!
Check their website as this site hardly ever gives us all the facts:
Auto-Unlock
With Auto-Unlock, August senses your approach and magically unlocks your door for you, without having to reach for your phone.
Pretty fucking unprofessional of them.
Could you tone down the language please, utilise another word to emphasize your point.
1. What happen if someone steals my phone? ( Yeah I know the question is similar to stealing my keys ).
2. There is a centralize control *somewhere*, which means if that get hacked..... um......
And I have to change battery every 6 months?
I like the idea, but i dont think the tech are quite there yet. Although I dont mind using it for doors in my room :P
I have a better reason:
~Hey look at that awesome looking look, shame someone would see it to mean valuables inside.~
Like, hey, I'm all for better home automation stuff, but this thing falls short on three fronts
a) Someone watching someone use it would clearly identify that house/apartment or otherwise as having high tech valuables
b) It's battery operated, which means eventually the batteries die, and for that amount of energy waste, you are still better off carrying keys.
c) Most doors... well pretty much ALL doors I've ever seen are two-factor entry anyway. One for the deadbolt and one for the door knob. So to use this you would need to remove all the additional locks on the one door.
Nice try though.
The battery issue can be solved by using two batteries, one "non-removable" without dismantling the lock, and one that can be removed and usb-charged so it charges the other battery.
Well that wasn't too hard to figure out if August will support Homekit. Good effort ai....