Andrew_OSU

dewme said:

I have no problem with the functionality of the ATV remote. My only complaint is the size, texture, and non-obvious orientation of the thing. It's way too small for non-baby hands, too slippery, and when in a darkened room especially, it's too easy to grab it upside down.  Heck, I was using my ATV two nights ago and every time I'd place it on my leg it would immediately slip off and find its way between the sofa cushion as if magnetically attracted to the gap. I don't know what kind of strange material the ATV remote is made from, but when you get it near sofa cushions, it's like a prairie dog that just spotted a coyote, zipping right down into its burrow.  Maybe Apple makes these things from recycled prairie dogs, meerkats, or some other sort of burrowing rodent. I'll have to read the microscopic text on the back of the box and see what it says. That may explain a lot of things.

mld53a said:

Why can’t the app control volume like the physical remote can? That is an annoying oversight. 

stantheman said:

The Level Lock should have an embedded sensor to reveal if the door has been pushed or pried open. Messaging that the door was recently locked or unlocked only tells the owner if the door was legally accessed with a key or app. But there are breaches in which the deadbolt remains in the regular lock position. Since it is called Level lock, the mechanism could be given a level indicator; then, an out-of-level deadbolt would reveal the door has been compromise by force. Perhaps a different sensor would do an even better job, but the point remains that Level Lock should report if your front door has been kicked in. 

Steve’sWorld said:

This is by far the worst type of lock anybody can buy. I can't believe the deadbolt is hollow. Any door that has this thing installed will not hold the weakest kick.

• bolt strength: 1350 lb-f side load
• bolt impact: 2 blows of 148 ft-lb (200 joules)
• bolt saw: 5 minutes @ 5 lb-f
• bolt compressive load: 150 lb-f
• 250,000 cycles
• slam test: 10,000 cycles
• ESD (electrostatic discharge): Level 4

rob53 said:

Few things.

1. $229 is why people aren't automating their homes. $100 here, $100 there adds up very quickly. Why does this lock cost so much when it's barebones?
2. The video didn't mention anything about using the keyed lock on the outside. I presume opening the house with the key still works (yes/no?). If it does, does the opening of the lock from the outside (also inside) change the status of the lock within HomeKit?
3. The dead bolt isn't much of a dead bolt. It locks wimpy. Most dead bolts are solid, this isn't. Of course, most people understand a house door lock only keeps non-criminals out. A good kick and the door jam breaks apart.
4. The dead bolt is connected to the lock using a magnet. How easy would it be to use another, stronger magnet to defeat the lock?

If I were designing the lock for a new door, I would bore the lock hole most of the way through inserting a steel disk to slow down outside access to the lock. I'd keep the inside lock handle to allow people easy egress. I would not include any kind of keyed lock from the outside, requiring access from the lock app. Of course, a better locking mechanism would include three bolts; top, bottom and door jam. With a proper door jam, which isn't installed on all but a few houses, this lock and latching mechanism might actually stop the majority of thieves. I'd pay >$200 for this type of electronic lock.

• bolt strength: 1350 lb-f side load
• bolt impact: 2 blows of 148 ft-lb (200 joules)
• bolt saw: 5 minutes @ 5 lb-f
• bolt compressive load: 150 lb-f
• 250,000 cycles
• slam test: 10,000 cycles
• ESD (electrostatic discharge): Level 4