Lockitron Announces New Keyless Deadbolt Entry and Remote Locking for iPhone

[MacRumors]

Lockitron has announced a new hardware product that attaches to most deadbolt locks and allows the door to be locked and unlocked via an app. It also takes advantage of Bluetooth 4.0 to unlock the door when a registered iPhone 4S or 5 approaches the door.

Lockitron previously had a lock that was a full replacement for the entire lock and handle making it nearly impossible to use for customers who rent. The new device attaches to a deadbolt without any permanent changes, allowing renters to use it. The company is positioning the device for tech-savvy consumers, as well as those looking to open the door for guests or AirBnB renters.

Users can unlock their doors via the Lockitron app, via an SMS message, or by using Bluetooth 4.0 to unlock it wirelessly.

The company is currently taking preorders for the $149 lock, though the company won't take payment until the device is ready. Lockitron expects the first 1,000 units will be ready for shipment in March of 2013.

Article Link: Lockitron Announces New Keyless Deadbolt Entry and Remote Locking for iPhone

[Mad Mac Maniac]

don't forget your phone!

[voyagerd]

A group in my senior year capstone project class at UCSB did a very similar project to this...

[AFPoster]

Ordered

[Swedishbacon]

So nice, until you lose your phone. Then just imagine if someone steals it.

[Avatarshark]

Interesting. I think it would work best on iPod Touches, no 3g. Come home, in range of your own wifi, then unlock the door for yourself.

[havenhamilton]

Originally Posted by Swedishbacon

So nice, until you lose your phone. Then just imagine if someone steals it.

what are the odds that someone steals your phone, figures out you use this product, finds out where you live and breaks in before you can get home and take it off?

[guru_ck]

I'm sure there will be a PIN lock option for the app. Wish this thing worked with my door hardware .

[UnseenLlama]

Originally Posted by havenhamilton

what are the odds that someone steals your phone, figures out you use this product, finds out where you live and breaks in before you can get home and take it off?

That's why you should always passlock your iPhone.

[Swedishbacon]

Originally Posted by havenhamilton

what are the odds that someone steals your phone, figures out you use this product, finds out where you live and breaks in before you can get home and take it off?

Well, since iOS 6 I'm pretty sure my adress is in my contacts list.

[Greg222]

You'll have to have a way to disable it. Time for bed, you walk too close to your front door, and it unlocks it.

[ytk]

So you just walk up to the door with your iPhone, and it uses Bluetooth 4.0 to connect and immediately unlock the door? How does it know you're approaching from the outside rather than the inside?

[LaazyEye]

Originally Posted by Swedishbacon

Well, since iOS 6 I'm pretty sure my adress is in my contacts list.

Remote wipe

[Tulipone]

Really? Is there a need for this? How attackable is BT4? Maybe not today, but soon it'll get broken. I gave up with BT speakers as turning BT on and off was a pain - and I'm not going to leave it on all day. Impressive battery power.

I can understand BT controlling devices inside the house (from a dedicated panel) but not for gaining entry.

[GenesisST]

Originally Posted by UnseenLlama

That's why you should always passlock your iPhone.

Annoying as hell, but so worth it! I wish there was "don't lock when on this SSID or at that location" option!

[Cougarcat]

Originally Posted by Tulipone

Really? Is there a need for this? How attackable is BT4? Maybe not today, but soon it'll get broken. I gave up with BT speakers as turning BT on and off was a pain - and I'm not going to leave it on all day. Impressive battery power.

I can understand BT controlling devices inside the house (from a dedicated panel) but not for gaining entry.

It's BT 4.0, so It won't use your battery significantly.

I don't know how hard it is to crack BT, but it's not like normal locks are infallible.

[mrxak]

Originally Posted by havenhamilton

what are the odds that someone steals your phone, figures out you use this product, finds out where you live and breaks in before you can get home and take it off?

They get your phone, use the slide-up-to-camera to bypass your lock code, see you have the Lockitron app, find your name and address in Contacts, then ask Siri for directions to your home. Done.


Anyway, this sort of thing is nothing new. Any home automation system worth its salt has remote locks. The notification on door-knock is new (at least to me), but who ever knocks on doors anymore? You're better off with a smart doorbell.

Of course, they all have the same issue of losing your remote device, whatever it is, and it's not like somebody needs to go through your front door to get into your house. If you're going to go the home automation route, why not set up some motion sensors inside the house watching all your windows and doors, and tell the house when you come and go? Heck, you don't even have to bother locking your doors, and you'll know the minute somebody's in your house when you're away. Door locks are just a social contract. If somebody wants in, they don't need to steal your key, physical or digital.

[makingdots]

Originally Posted by havenhamilton

what are the odds that someone steals your phone, figures out you use this product, finds out where you live and breaks in before you can get home and take it off?

Also, most burglars/thieves are not knowledgeable enough in computer stuffs/technology

[RMo]

Just pre-odered. Why? I don't know...but I like it.

[bigjobby]

Originally Posted by mrxak

They get your phone, use the slide-up-to-camera to bypass your lock code, see you have the Lockitron app, find your name and address in Contacts, then ask Siri for directions to your home. Done.

One slight flaw to this theory... Maps.

[Nickpocalypse]

[QUOTE=mrxak;15943107]They get your phone, use the slide-up-to-camera to bypass your lock code, see you have the Lockitron app, find your name and address in Contacts, then ask Siri for directions to your home. Done.[QUOTE]
I have thus far been unable to get to bypass the lock code with the slide-up camera. Anytime you try to do anything at the camera screen, it says your phone is locked, or takes you to the passcode unlock screen.

[JForestZ34]

This is just my opinion on this but I think we are putting our confidence in technology to much. This is just me but I would never trust this. Give me an old fashion key any day.


James

[MasterMac]

Originally Posted by mrxak

They get your phone, use the slide-up-to-camera to bypass your lock code, see you have the Lockitron app, find your name and address in Contacts, then ask Siri for directions to your home. Done.

That doesn't work, and I'm pretty sure that's never worked, not even after the feature was introduced. There was a video showing it "getting past", but (here's where the "pretty sure" part comes in) I'm almost positive it was later found out that phone didn't have it set to require the passcode immediately after locking the phone.

[Undecided]

This is great but what I really need is a remotely controlled lock that i can use in rental properties. Although, I don't do short term rentals any more.

[Mev75]

Originally Posted by mrxak

They get your phone, use the slide-up-to-camera to bypass your lock code, see you have the Lockitron app, find your name and address in Contacts, then ask Siri for directions to your home. Done.


Anyway, this sort of thing is nothing new. Any home automation system worth its salt has remote locks. The notification on door-knock is new (at least to me), but who ever knocks on doors anymore? You're better off with a smart doorbell.

Of course, they all have the same issue of losing your remote device, whatever it is, and it's not like somebody needs to go through your front door to get into your house. If you're going to go the home automation route, why not set up some motion sensors inside the house watching all your windows and doors, and tell the house when you come and go? Heck, you don't even have to bother locking your doors, and you'll know the minute somebody's in your house when you're away. Door locks are just a social contract. If somebody wants in, they don't need to steal your key, physical or digital.

Imagines you loose your keys or someone steals them... More or less the same disadvantages as old fashioned keys but some benefits.

But definitely not something for the Swiss market, we do not have these types of locks.

If it fits your needs this seems to be a cool product. I have a similar product for my car, Renault hands free keyless driving, quite cool!