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Jawbone Designer Debuts New August Smart Lock

MacRumors said:
Much like competing products Lockitron and Kevo, the August Smart Lock will be available without subscription fees.
Click to expand...

Good thing. I have a sneaking suspicion that subscription fees would be a deal-breaker for consumers.
Maybe OK for institutions.

I also have a sneaking suspicion that Apple has already worked out their own smart lock technology.
They've applied for multiple patents on RFID and transaction technologies for retail shopping, banking,
and of course smart locks. These patent applications date back as far as 2009.

Source - NFC-related patents:
http://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/tech-nfc/

Source - smart lock patents:
http://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2011/09/some-of-apples-future-rfid-magic-is-revealed-in-a-new-patent.html

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Trik said:
You don't have a pin code lock on your phone? You really should do that.
Click to expand...

And if he really cares about security, maybe he should invest in an alarm system.
An alarm system that the iPhone doesn't disarm.
 
ScousePete said:
If it works with Bluetooth proximity, then you wouldn't need to unlock your phone for it to work.
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Yes, but they can't access your personal information to find out where your home is. And if they already know where it is, then it would be no different than if they stole your keys.
 
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I'm surprised they didn't go with the obvious name: Lockjaw. :)

I can think of another good use for it. I own a house about 1 hour east of Portland that I'm thinking of renting out on AirBNB during summers. It'd be nice for me to be able to remotely unlock the door if a guest is arriving (and relock after they leave), without having to drive all the way out there out if I happen to busy with something.

But I'm much more interested in Ube - a Kickstarter project for a WiFi switches: http://myube.co/ Waiting for it to come out so I can see reviews. But I would find this to be ALL kinds of useful.
 
I like the unlocked by just walking up to the door. But it does beg a question -- if I'm in bluetooth range inside my house, would it allow someone to just walk up to my door and open it? Or would it know that I am inside and that the door needs to be kept locked?
 
bearda said:
Kind of an interesting idea, but I'm not interested in buying into one of there smart lock devices until I can get one that has a manual lock (not just a handle) on the inside. I guess I'm in the minority but I have sidelights next to the door, and am concerned about someone shattering the windows, reaching inside, and unlocking it from the inside.

Lockitron just actuates the existing handle, so it doesn't work.
Kevo seems like a possibility, but without more into on the different configurations they'll offer nobody is sure. No a fan of Kwikset overall, though.
I like the design of the August lock the best so far, but if you can rotate the inside like a knob it's right out as well.
Click to expand...

Deadbolts usually have a twist knob on the interior side (the less common double cylinder varieties aside). In that context, it really doesn't matter whether you're using the standard twist knob or something like August or Lockitron: you're still going to have uninvited company in the given scenario.

Of course, it's easy enough to go through any one of a number of ground floor windows in your home. For a motivated intruder, your average lock is a deterrent and nothing more.
 
NomadicTy said:
I like the unlocked by just walking up to the door. But it does beg a question -- if I'm in bluetooth range inside my house, would it allow someone to just walk up to my door and open it? Or would it know that I am inside and that the door needs to be kept locked?
Click to expand...

Not all Bluetooth devices operate at the same range. Some will only work within a meter or less. It is even possible for a BT smart device to determine how far away it is.
 
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Wireless locks cost about $150...

I was about to purchase a wireless remote control lock from Costco a few months back. It had a keypad and a car alarm like remote control... I didn't like the fact that I had to carry the remote on my already overcrowded keychain and it had a horrible nickel finish... :rolleyes:
The price was about $150.
August is gorgeous, simple and relatively affordable.
I already pre-ordered mine.
So far, I have a Nest Thermostat at home and the office, a Philips HUE System and now August...
My home is gonna start looking like Bill Gates' house! :D
 
Why $199? Because it's new and not deployed in many places.... there are few similar options out there....

Will I buy it at this price? Hell no!!!!

I have a biometric plus security code lock at my door... which will open the door within couple seconds... which is probably faster than using the iPhone. And that's still not as expensive as $199.

I'll probably apply this lock on bed rooms if the price was $40 a pop... but definitely not the front door... Front door is just wayyy too risky... hacker+thief will be able to open doors the whole block in a short time period.... that hacker just needs to crack the app then he knows how to get through.
 
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