Schlage Sense smart lock Wi-Fi adapter coming, does not extend HomeKit connectivity
The new Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt Wi-Fi Adapter allows for remote control of the house lock from anywhere -- but does not extend Bluetooth range with HomeKit compatibility at all.
The addition of the Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt Wi-Fi Adapter allows for remote control with the Shlage Sense app on the iPhone. In conjunction with the app, users can create and delete up to 30 unique access codes for trusted individuals, and schedule access.
Following Schlage's announcement of the wireless networking adapter, AppleInsider reached out for clarification. A Schlage representative confirmed that HomeKit compatibility is limited to short-range Bluetooth, meaning that for outside the home control, HomeKit users need a home hub, such as an Apple TV, or iPad set up in very close proximity in the home to regulate communications.
Without using an Apple TV or an iPad as a home hub, users are limited to the Schlage app for control of the lock. Control outside the home requires the Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt Wi-Fi Adapter. Addition of an Apple TV or iPad as a home hub allows for remote control without the Schlage app.
The Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt has been available for $229 from Amazon and select Apple, Lowe's and Home Depot stores. The Schlage Sense Wi-Fi Adapter retails for $69.99 and is available from Amazon, Lowe's and Home Depot.
The addition of the Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt Wi-Fi Adapter allows for remote control with the Shlage Sense app on the iPhone. In conjunction with the app, users can create and delete up to 30 unique access codes for trusted individuals, and schedule access.
Following Schlage's announcement of the wireless networking adapter, AppleInsider reached out for clarification. A Schlage representative confirmed that HomeKit compatibility is limited to short-range Bluetooth, meaning that for outside the home control, HomeKit users need a home hub, such as an Apple TV, or iPad set up in very close proximity in the home to regulate communications.
Without using an Apple TV or an iPad as a home hub, users are limited to the Schlage app for control of the lock. Control outside the home requires the Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt Wi-Fi Adapter. Addition of an Apple TV or iPad as a home hub allows for remote control without the Schlage app.
The Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt has been available for $229 from Amazon and select Apple, Lowe's and Home Depot stores. The Schlage Sense Wi-Fi Adapter retails for $69.99 and is available from Amazon, Lowe's and Home Depot.
Comments
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With add on units like the august lock, I can see how it may not be possible but when you are making the whole unit, I can not understand how they do not build this self awareness feature. I for one will not be replacing any locks until it also knows if the door is closed or not.
Second, these are very good quality locks made by a company that has been making (dumb and smart) door locks for a very long time (i.e., they did not go into business to cash-in on a HomeKit or Alexa craze and ship Chinese junk off Alibaba dressed up in a fancy designer gift box). I have exposed these locks to harsh elements (intense heat that would scald your hand if you touched the lock as well as sub-freezing temps) in multiple locations and they work well with only minimal battery issues. The issue of the SmartKey technology being easy to "bump" was solved long ago (I think before HomeKit-enabled units that feature it). The main issues are with the bad voice-recognition in AppleWatch (say "Hey Siri Unlock the Blue Door" into your Watch and it will eventually refuse most of the time whereas your iPhone, if it overhears the command, will usually do it) and also, the AppleTV-Gen4-as-a-hub seems to be a bit flakey after router reboots/power loss (IP reassignments, lost connection to iCloud, who has time to troubleshoot). I don't currently trust the HomeKit "macros" feature, especially with geofenced triggers.
It's worth noting that a little over a year ago there was an issue where Apple had changed the Bluetooth software in its latest iOS release in such a way that the lock's app was not able to update the lock's firmware (and that firmware update was required to maintain compatibility with the HomeKit software in the latest iOS release). The situation was resolved only by use of an older (32-bit-only) device (like an old iPad) that couldn't have upgraded to the latest iOS release and therefore didn't contain the new Bluetooth software that inhibited their lock's app from updating the lock's firmware. Once the lock's firmware was updated from the old iOS device, then lock worked with even the devices running the latest iOS. Can't really blame the lock manufacturer for that, it's just something to be aware that can happen.
Ranges vary, but if your Apple TV is more than about 10 feet away from the lock, it probably won't work.