Level Lock+ With Smart Home Key Integration Now Available From Apple's Online Store

[MacRumors]

Smart lock maker Level today announced the official launch of its Level Lock+, which is now available for purchase from Apple's online store. The Level Lock+ has been in Apple retail stores since last week as part of a soft launch, but those who do not live near a store location can now order it online.

Level Lock+ is an Apple exclusive product, as it is designed to work with the Home Keys feature from Apple. With Home Keys, users can tap an iPhone or Apple Watch on the lock to unlock their homes, with the device serving as an alternative to a key.

Smart locks that are HomeKit integrated have worked for some time, but Level Lock+ shows up in the Wallet app and it has Home Key features such as the ability to use power reserve to unlock a door even when the iPhone's battery is dead.

The Level Lock+ is equipped with a powerful NFC antenna, and the company says that it is BHMA AAA certified, which is the highest industry standard for safety and durability. Like the original Level Lock, the Level Lock+ has a sleek design that looks more like a standard door lock than a smart lock. Installation requires a screwdriver and Level claims that it takes less than 15 minutes to set up.

With the Level app, there are options for sharing access with guests, and auto locking and unlocking as a keyed iPhone approaches. There are also tools for setting up keycards that can activate the Level Lock+, activating the lock through the Level app, and an optional $79 Level Keypad that allows for entry through a key code.

The Level Lock+ is available in Satin Nickel and Matte Black and it can be purchased from Apple for $329.

Article Link: Level Lock+ With Smart Home Key Integration Now Available From Apple's Online Store

 

[AtomicDusk]

That's great, but without a matching doorknob or latch lock it'll be a no go at many home, even without looking at the price.

 

[Robert.Walter]

Costs about 230$ too much.

Looking forward to more competition in this space to bring down prices.

 

[profets]

Looks like such a nice product / idea.

US only for now?

 

[Robert.Walter]

Also, some important details are lacking from article:
- is it Matter standard compatible?
- does it need a hub?
- how long does battery last?

 

[OneMike]

Looks interesting but not at the price point

 

[Macintosh Quadra 840av]

That's great, but without a matching doorknob or latch lock it'll be a no go at many home, even without looking at the price.

They offer an option where it just replaces the bolt portion of your existing lock. It's simply called the Level Bolt. Could even use it in apartments. No need to get new keys or handles.

Level Bolt - The Invisible Retrofit Smart Deadbolt | Level

Discover Level Bolt, the only smart deadbolt that fits within your existing door hardware, making it an invisible upgrade for any home.

level.co

 

[PauloSera]

HomeKey is nice but I don't want anything with a physical key.

 

[macsba]

HomeKey is nice but I don't want anything with a physical key.

Yep, looks like it'll fail the LockPickingLawyer test.

 

[swissglide]

Can’t say I care for NFC keys that require tapping. Give me a secure UWB implementation and I’ll be there.

 

[lenard]

That's great, but without a matching doorknob or latch lock it'll be a no go at many home, even without looking at the price.

Actually on the level lock site they sell that matching part too.

 

[sleestak]

Any bets that in 5 years the bean counters will decide they aren't making enough money by just selling the hardware, so they'll drop the bomb of a monthly subscription service to utilize the phone integration feature?

 

[MacRumorUser78]

Great except price. Our house has four doors (one is into the garage and another between the garage and house). $1434 with tax. And any new devices going forward should be Matter.

One concern. How does it know you're in the house? What if you leave your phone by the door?

 

[Juicy Box]

HomeKey is nice but I don't want anything with a physical key.

Yep, looks like it'll fail the LockPickingLawyer test.

What do you do if the battery dies or if it malfunctions?

This happened to my wife with a different electronic lock, and she forgot her key, so I had to come to the rescue.

Worse part is, she had to urgently use the bathroom.

 

[cocky jeremy]

It's nice but I like the one I got more. It has a fingerprint scanner on it. No need to pull a phone out even.

 

[NCPine]

People are pretty excited about this product. On reddit there has been a lot of interest and people demonstrating video of how reliable it is. The main selling point of these is that you don't have to replace your existing door hardware, so everything matches and looks good. You just have to install the mechanical deadbolt and insert, so it should work with just about anything.

 

[PauloSera]

What do you do if the battery dies or if it malfunctions?

This happened to my wife with a different electronic lock, and she forgot her key, so I had to come to the rescue.

Worse part is, she had to urgently use the bathroom.

1. My Yale Assure has no key, and the batteries have needed replacement once in almost 4 years. When it needed to be replaced, it didn't fail to alert me with plenty of notice that it needed to be replaced.
2. If the battery were to die without notice, which is exceedingly unlikely, it has 2 terminals on the bottom of the unit where you can hold a 9V battery to temporarily power it and unlock (which is brilliant).
3. It's not like this is the only door to the house. I have 3, I'm sure others have at least 2. If one were to magically die and be unresponsive, surely the others have not.

 

[FelixDerKater]

Walmart will install it for free if you have the InHome trial.

 

[nwcs]

Yep, looks like it'll fail the LockPickingLawyer test.

Dang, I was hoping to make that comment first, lol. Seeing how he has picked locks, especially the electronic ones, I won’t touch them yet.

 

[Ankaa]

YES! Finally! We've had a Level Touch for 2 years and I've been wanting to be able to merely tap my watch for just as long. I even emailed them back then with the suggestion and was told they currently had nothing in the works like that. So I'm really really happy to see this.

HomeKey is nice but I don't want anything with a physical key.

And I'm the opposite, I'll never get a smart lock that does NOT have the option for a physical key. It's always good to have a backup option ... jamming is a thing that can happen for all kinds of reasons. Having had two different smart locks (Level and Kwikset) in use for the past two years, it does happen more often than you'd think. Those things are quite sensitive to the tiniest changes in alignment and US houses are just not that great when it comes to accuracy... the tiny motors of smart locks will never match the strength you can apply with a physical key. I prefer to not having to worry about eternally being locked out of my own house.

 

[brandters03]

Does anyone know where the NFC components are located? Are they in the exterior deadbolt? Or are there in the internal bolt itself?

For me, my exterior deadbolt has a faceplate around it. The Level Lock Touch deadbolt did not fit inside the faceplate. So I use just the Level Bolt - i.e. didn't replace the exterior deadbolt. I assume this deadbolt is probably the same size as the Level Lock Touch, so it is probably a no-go for me. But if the NFC technology is within the bolt, I could still get the benefit of HomeKey - the ultimate goal.

 

[smelly feet]

Smart lock maker Level today announced the official launch of its Level Lock+, which is now available for purchase from Apple's online store. The Level Lock+ has been in Apple retail stores since last week as part of a soft launch, but those who do not live near a store location can now order it online.

Level Lock+ is an Apple exclusive product, as it is designed to work with the Home Keys feature from Apple. With Home Keys, users can tap an iPhone or Apple Watch on the lock to unlock their homes, with the device serving as an alternative to a key.

Smart locks that are HomeKit integrated have worked for some time, but Level Lock+ shows up in the Wallet app and it has Home Key features such as the ability to use power reserve to unlock a door even when the iPhone's battery is dead.

The Level Lock+ is equipped with a powerful NFC antenna, and the company says that it is BHMA AAA certified, which is the highest industry standard for safety and durability. Like the original Level Lock, the Level Lock+ has a sleek design that looks more like a standard door lock than a smart lock. Installation requires a screwdriver and Level claims that it takes less than 15 minutes to set up.

With the Level app, there are options for sharing access with guests, and auto locking and unlocking as a keyed iPhone approaches. There are also tools for setting up keycards that can activate the Level Lock+, activating the lock through the Level app, and an optional $79 Level Keypad that allows for entry through a key code.

The Level Lock+ is available in Satin Nickel and Matte Black and it can be purchased from Apple for $329.

Article Link: Level Lock+ With Smart Home Key Integration Now Available From Apple's Online Store

I don't know much about smart homes, and even less about security, but the fact that this product is "an Apple exclusive" seems rather limiting. I presume that means that the lock can only be opened by an iPhone. So everyone in my family needs to have an iPhone to use it? And a neighbor who comes in to feed the cat when I'm gone for a few days needs an iPhone?

 

[Starflyer]

I have the Bolt and I love it. I hope a Bolt+ is on the horizon and I will move my original to the side door.

 

[zapmymac]

Hopefully prices come WAY down, and the long-term reviews are positive. I’d need two, as I have a security screen door as well. Just glad to see interest in this segment.

 

[PauloSera]

And I'm the opposite, I'll never get a smart lock that does NOT have the option for a physical key. It's always good to have a backup option ...

All that really means is you don't fully understand it.