In 2013 a security startup called August caught our attention with a set of smart locks that opened doors as a user with a matched iPhone approached. The company has now returned with an new generation of connected door locks, which includes support for voice assistants like Alexa and Siri, along with a sensor that alerts you when you leave one unlocked.
August's series of smart locks attach to the inside of standard deadbolt doors, leaving the outside lock unchanged so the regular old key can still be used at anytime. This essentially enables owners to use their phone as a key, leaving the door to automatically lock when you leave with it in your pocket, and then unlock again when you return.
The new generation consists of the August Smart Lock and the more expensive August Smart Lock Pro. Both of these come something called DoorSense, which is a sensor built in to the lock to detect whether or not the door has been properly closed and notifies the user of its status via their smartphone.
The Pro version comes with a few extra bells and whistles, in addition to the circular, more compact design. It comes with the August Connect Wi-Fi Bridge to hook up to home Wi-Fi, allowing users to lock and unlock the door remotely. It will alert users if the door is left ajar for a certain amount of time, and can be integrated with some home alarm systems through the Z-Wave Plus communication protocol.
Both devices are capable of working with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, though owners of cheaper version will need to buy the Connect Wi-Fi Bridge separately (this also enables remote locking).
To go with the new lineup, August has also introduced an updated doorbell, the August Doorbell Cam Pro. This captures full-color HD video and features a built-in floodlight, two-way audio to communicate with guests (wanted or unwanted), and a motion-detection mode called HindSight. This records video a few seconds beforehand if motion is detected to make sure nothing important is missed.
The Smart Lock Pro is priced at US$279, the Smart Lock at $149 and the Doorbell Cam Pro at $199. All can be preordered from today, with shipping to kick off October 10.
Source: August via BusinessWire
Sure, you can make the lock actuate, but is the door open or shut? That's the "smart lock" question I have.
Until this one key problem is solved, I won't buy a smart lock. Meanwhile the rest of my house is getting smarter every week! But I sure would like something fantastic for the door!