Apple alumni reveal HomeKit-compatible Latch C smart lock for business, apartments
Smart lock startup company Latch has unveiled the enterprise and apartment-oriented Latch C -- its first smart lock certified to work with HomeKit.
According to the company, the Latch C is the first "enterprise-certified" smart lock for HomeKit. The lock includes wi-fi, Bluetooth, and near-field communication for unlocking, and a wide-angle camera and a touchscreen. A conventional keyhole allows for physical access as well.
The lock is designed for apartment doors with deadbolt hardware. The company's mortise locks and electronic access hardware is not HomeKit-compatible.
The company claims that six AA batteries last for up to 12 months with normal usage.
"The mortise product [Latch M] is required by law in most major urban markets," Latch co-founder Luke Schoenfelder told Techcrunch on Tuesday. "With the C, we're able to work on any apartment door in the U.S., so this really just completes the suite."
Schoenfelder and Chief Design Officer Thomas Meyerhoffer were once Apple employees. Schoenfelder was Apple's head of Worldwide Government Affairs between 2008 and 2012.
Meyerhoffer is a renowned designer, and was Jony Ives's first hire. His most notable product was the eMate -- and he left the company shortly after it was complete.
The Latch C costs $299 per lock, not including the cost of a required Latch monthly subscription. Pre-orders have commenced, with deliveries of the lock expected in the fall.
According to the company, the Latch C is the first "enterprise-certified" smart lock for HomeKit. The lock includes wi-fi, Bluetooth, and near-field communication for unlocking, and a wide-angle camera and a touchscreen. A conventional keyhole allows for physical access as well.
The lock is designed for apartment doors with deadbolt hardware. The company's mortise locks and electronic access hardware is not HomeKit-compatible.
The company claims that six AA batteries last for up to 12 months with normal usage.
"The mortise product [Latch M] is required by law in most major urban markets," Latch co-founder Luke Schoenfelder told Techcrunch on Tuesday. "With the C, we're able to work on any apartment door in the U.S., so this really just completes the suite."
Schoenfelder and Chief Design Officer Thomas Meyerhoffer were once Apple employees. Schoenfelder was Apple's head of Worldwide Government Affairs between 2008 and 2012.
Meyerhoffer is a renowned designer, and was Jony Ives's first hire. His most notable product was the eMate -- and he left the company shortly after it was complete.
The Latch C costs $299 per lock, not including the cost of a required Latch monthly subscription. Pre-orders have commenced, with deliveries of the lock expected in the fall.
Comments
Also, what apartment complex would allow a tenant to install their own lock?
I have to pay a monthly fee to unlock my door, that is a non starter.
But I am assuming this is not designed for home owners, it design for corporations and property managers so they can control who can gain access, they can easily lock someone out if they refuse to pay their rent.
On the bright side, a camera built into the lock is a great idea.
I will I'll not pay a monthly fee and hope they come out with a residential version without fees.
Currently I have another competing product and I hope this is a major improvement. Sometimes I spend over a minute outside my front door logging into the app, repeatedly trying to get bluetooth connection in order to open the door. And yeah, I agree about the subscription model. I see why subscriptions are very attractive for business owners, but really, when it comes to your home, a key works so much better. Or better still, a key touch pad. Best of both worlds.
$299.00? Sorry, that's just way too expensive. I understand it's electronic and neato, but $300? Dream on. The right price would be $150. Same with all the competition. Regular key dead bolts are $30-50. Electronic combo dead bolts are $80. Anyone who wants to charge $300 just because it's WiFi enabled is insane. Anyone who spends $300 for this is just as insane.
Six AA batteries? Again, holy friggin cow! Ok, I understand it takes a fair amount of juice to run WiFi and turn the locking motor. Ha, everyone knows "normal" use will chew through the batteries in 6 months... How about two lithium 9-volt batteries instead? Rechargeable ones. Easy insert battery sockets (no cheap snap-on caps w/wires).
But, the subscription is pathetic.
Who says allowing individual tenants to install this lock is the business model? And if this is a clean retrofit, I'd bet few apartment complexes would care as long as they were provided a key, or could be master keyed to their key (but that would be far less likely).
The lock offers a lot of features for the money. But you'd have to be well heeled to buy this for yourself along with the 2-year minimum software subscription. Again, I don't think individuals are the target market. I suspect the cost of the lock is at least partially subsidized by the subscription.
The lock isn't for me but it's nice to see something with something high-end, if not high security. Aside from all the tech, it's just a deadbolt.
you can't just deny them access to their stuff, for a lot of reasons that should be obvious. But it would make "changing" locks easier once the tenant has had a chance to respond and the proper court orders are received.
Yes, I realize that, but most evictions are not that complicated since most tents never show up to court, but in some places you do no even have to go to court. I personally seen people stuff dump on the sidewalk. The out side benefit is no need for keys to give to maintenance workers. I can see this for high end apartments and condos
Since these lock utilize a key and lock cylinder, any electronic benefits are probably limited for the most part, to the owner. There's also a keypad, so there are a variety of scenarios were access can be allowed without the owner's/renter's presence.
But I saw no mention of being able to override the key and locking everyone out. Obviously the key would work in the event of a power failure. But can this lock electrically override the key? No matter. I'd not own a lock (assuming it's sold on an individual basis) that requires any subscription.