Schlage Sense HomeKit-Enabled Smart Deadbolt Now Available for Pre-Order

[B4U]

Dang...a little too late...just bought their old school keypad ones.

 

[A.Goldberg]

Agreed. It sure ain't a looker.

Sure ain't a looker, or a locker? Bad pun, excuse me. I agree it's a little too cheesey looking in my opinion.

we already have that. I have these locks in my home automation they work well. lock and unlock as I come and go. when I turn the lights off at night the doors lock. when the dog needs to go out in the middle of the night the door unlocks with a push of a button on a remote and the light comes on. all this already without even more cost.

Ever since I got a BMW with the "smart key" (which btw up until a week after owning the car I thought it was the stupidest idea ever) I find myself just expecting doors to unlock when I touch the handle. I would like to see more door handles like this.

Apple allowing companies to take advantage of the NFT would be nice.

 

[carld]

I pre-orderd the Lockitron, and ended up canceling with all of the delays.

I had the crowdfunded Lockitron for 2 days before I sent it back, that thing is straight-up garbage. I have a preorder in for the new one, but I don't have high hopes for it. The usual delays and excuses, and they're still playing coy about HomeKit support. Fortunately, it seems like I have plenty of time to cancel it.

I bought the August, and while it's not a total disaster I wouldn't give it glowing reviews at all. Much bigger in person than what I thought it would be when looking at it on their site. Software is inconsistent, non-intuitive, and very limited in functionality. The battery cover kept coming off too easily when they first released it. To the point where they ended up sending out a kit to fix the issue. It consisted of some little rubber stickers to put on the inside of the cover that keep the cover from moving as easily. Didn't totally eliminate the issue, but it did make it better.

Even though I bought the add-on August Connect that allows me to access the lock from anywhere (It plugs into an outlet near the lock, connects to the lock via bluetooth and allows you to talk to it via your WiFi network from wherever you are) it has been meh. First of all, once I access the lock with the Connect functionality, and go out of the app I have to choose the connect again. There should be a switch that tells the app to keep using the Connect functionality, so you don't have to choose it every time when you're away from home, or otherwise not close enough to the lock to use BT.

All of this is correct. The August simply not a reliable device, which is a wee bit problematic for something that has control over access to my home. I perhaps might be happier if it failed reliably 100% of the time instead of seemingly at random.

Also, they got caught with their pants down on iOS 9. It was several days after iOS 9 was released before they had a working version of their software. I mean, come on. If your an iOS developer you should be on top of this stuff. I was running a dev build for several weeks, and I knew it didn't work. Why were they unaware?

In fairness, THIS part isn't true at all. Version 2.1.88 was released on the 16th. Sure would be nice if they optimized it for current iPhones though.

Bottom line is, however, after all this nonsense, I still primarily rely on a physical key.

 

[jtmacb]

I purchased the same lock about a year ago and have been happy with it. However, I'm not going to go out and spend another $299 just to get a model to work with HomeKit. What no one has mentioned is whether Schlage will make it possible for an owner of a current key-less lock to upgrade. If they made a trade-in possible for maybe $50-$75 to upgrade I would buy a new lock. Otherwise it will have to wait until I buy my next house. Does anyone know if an upgrade is going to be offered?

 

[Smigit]

Ugly and bulky. And how would someone in a wheelchair reach the keypad without a phone? They should've just combined the keypad with the door handle to keep it simple.

How do people in wheel chairs open their door currently? Either reach up or if needed install the lock lower down on the door. Generally locks aren't positioned high up on a door, and this being homekit and Siri enabled would make the persons life easier if they have mobility/motor difficulties, not harder as you seem to be implying.

Also, every deadbolt I've seen has been separate to the door handle, which itself may also have a lock.

 

[doelcm82]

For $229 it's going to have to do a lot more for me than just unlock my door. I'll wait until they are much more reasonable.

This does a lot more than just unlock your door. Whether the things it does are useful to you is a question only you can answer for your use case.

For me, this seems to be what I'm looking for. I want to be able to check whether my door(s) are locked from the comfort of my bed, or when I'm miles away. I'm at least two years away from buying one, so maybe the price will go down, and maybe there will be more styles to choose from by then.

 

[Flytrap21]

I have just ordered the Morning Industry RF-01SN Radio Frequency Remote Deadbolt. They have a version with the numeric pad, but I did not think that I would need that because that is the whole point of having HomeKit - instead of creating an access code for a guest, simply give them limited access via Siri. The catch is when your house keeper does not have an iPhone to access HomeKit (Apple is going to have to address that sooner rather than later).

If the Schlage Sense smart lock did not have the ugly keypad stuck on it (and cost a lot less), I would actually prefer it over the Morning Industry smart lock because it has HomeKit support built in. (fortunately I already have the Insteon HomeKit Hub which the Morning Industry smart lock supports natively, so I should be able to create HomeKit scenes that include it).

 

[illegalprelude]

Is it safe to assume that there is no monthly fee for this? That's what I've hated about Schlage. They charge a monthly on so many locks for features which everybody else offers for free.

 

[H2SO4]

I have an irrational fear of electronic locks that I cannot put my finger on. This is despite the lock on my car being electronic, (I’ve never used the key for it), and NEVER worry about it, and the fact that we regularly use the Schalge Handkey at work.

The recurring iOS lockscreen bug doesn’t help I suppose.

 

[macs4nw]

Sorry to say but that's one ugly looking smart lock.

The Schlage website shows several other options, some more sleek looking than the one pictured. They are admittedly pricey, but Schlage is one of the better lock companies out there, and the many different finishes available make it worth a good look for those looking for a smart lock.

This has great possibilities for letting others in your home while you're not available. On the go with your iPhone, you could create temporary pass codes for visiting family members, a cleaning lady, or what have you. I find all these emerging applications for HomeKit really interesting.

 

[Gymgenius]

I really don't understand the rush to get everything in the home automated and connected together or to one's phone...and I would never trust something as important as a door lock.

What happens when they get hacked....and what would happen during a mugging, where the phone gets taken.

For the price of these things, you can get a super secure, high-end traditional lock.

 

[nioted]

I guess that depends on what your hardware/door/house looks like to begin with. In the photo with the guy trying to unlock the door, the smart lock hardware matches the door handle hardware almost perfectly. But then again, both are probably made by Schlage. The other thing is that Schlage is to door locks what Kleenex is to facial tissues.

In contrast, what the heck is August? Or Lockitron, for that matter? Yes, there are others on the market, and others which may look better with appropriate doors and hardware. But my real question is: Which lock is most functional?

Can anyone comment who has some experience with these smart locks? Are there some which are more reliable and consistent than others? For some reason, I've been afraid to pull the trigger on this particular purchase. But I think HomeKit integration is an important first step, as it seems that's Apple's way of bringing it all into the "ecosystem." Wouldn't it be great to be able to control all of this stuff from a dashboard on the Apple TV, within iTunes or at iCloud.com?

I have this exact lock minus the homekit integration on my new home. I love the damn thing! It just works! I never have to fuss with the key and I set it to autolock when I close the door. My version uses a wink hub to enable the smartphone features. It can have up to 30 different codes and can be deleted at anytime so I dont have to worry about giving out my code to the maid or maintenance worker. I might upgrade the lock to this homekit version in the future, I'll wait for the price to go down.

 

[ssspinball]

If I still need to take my phone out of my pocket, unlock it, get to the app, and hit the unlock button than this thing is far less convenient than just having a key do the job for me. Sure I could ask Siri to do it but that's still only marginally easier than using a key.

No you don't--Just type in your code on the keypad. No need to take the key out of your pocket either. It's far better than using a key, trust me on this.

You can also give out temporary codes to friends and family for when they're watching your house that you can delete later. No need for multiple key copies.

 

[AcesHigh87]

No you don't--Just type in your code on the keypad. No need to take the key out of your pocket either. It's far better than using a key, trust me on this.

You can also give out temporary codes to friends and family for when they're watching your house that you can delete later. No need for multiple key copies.

You can get that without a "smart" Homekit lock though, my parents have had it for years and it cost far less than this.

Yeah, keying in a code is easier but if my lock is talking to my phone I want it to be able to do more than just act as a keypad. It should be easily able to tell when I'm near via Bluetooth and unlock the door as I approach.

 

[k1121j]

whats the battery life??

 

[TheRealTVGuy]

If I still need to take my phone out of my pocket, unlock it, get to the app, and hit the unlock button than this thing is far less convenient than just having a key do the job for me. Sure I could ask Siri to do it but that's still only marginally easier than using a key.

I'm still waiting for someone (ANYONE...?) to make a deadbolt that I can unlock using just my Apple Watch. Not my Apple watch and my phone, not necessarily my Apple Watch and an internet connection, JUST my Apple Watch. Just like when I use it at smart vending machines that feature NFC, I'm not connected to the internet, and my phone is three floors away.

I just want to be able to go jogging and lock/unlock my door with out having to carry a key or an iPhone with me.

 

[VulchR]

Well, that rather sucks for locksmiths... technological unemployment (or more likely, underemployment based on installing these things) strikes again.

 

[macosxuser01]

Your move Kwikset, bring us one with smart key technology please.

They already have!!! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004F1B24I

 

[macosxuser01]

If I still need to take my phone out of my pocket, unlock it, get to the app, and hit the unlock button than this thing is far less convenient than just having a key do the job for me. Sure I could ask Siri to do it but that's still only marginally easier than using a key.

That's why there's keypad on door lock. You don't need to get out your phone or say "Siri unlock the door." Trust me it's more convenient to unlock from the Keypad then from your keys or iPhone

 

[macosxuser01]

I'm still waiting for someone (ANYONE...?) to make a deadbolt that I can unlock using just my Apple Watch. Not my Apple watch and my phone, not necessarily my Apple Watch and an internet connection, JUST my Apple Watch. Just like when I use it at smart vending machines that feature NFC, I'm not connected to the internet, and my phone is three floors away.

I just want to be able to go jogging and lock/unlock my door with out having to carry a key or an iPhone with me.

http://www.alarm.com/blog/apple-watch-demo-smart-home

 

[imola.zhp]

Honestly I think it would be cooler if you couldn't use a physical key with it at all, but I guess power outages or dead batteries would be no bueno if you didn't have a physical key.

I thought I saw this option from Shlage, it might have been Kwikset though (not HomeKit compatible AFAIK). For the person that responded about needing one in case of a malfunction, if you only have one door, then I agree. If I have a handle with no lock on my primary entry door (and it malfunctions) then I'll just use one of the other two entry doors that do not have this installed. I can't imagine people putting these on every entry door, just the primary entry point(s), for us, just the door into the garage.

If I still need to take my phone out of my pocket, unlock it, get to the app, and hit the unlock button than this thing is far less convenient than just having a key do the job for me. Sure I could ask Siri to do it but that's still only marginally easier than using a key.

All you have to do is say "Hey Siri, unlock my (insert door name) door." Hopefully it will work as such that you can say "Hey Siri, open my garage door, unlock my garage door, and disable my alarm system" and she won't get confused. This command would require a HomeKit compatible garage door opener and alarm control panel. Surely they will come out with some other command line like "Hey Siri, I'm home" which would trigger all of that, also set your thermostat to home.

 

[absolut_mac]

Don't buy ANY expensive lock before before consulting an expert lock picker!!

My highest recommendation for the above goes to youtube's Bosnianbill. His youtube videos are educational and entertaining to watch...

https://www.youtube.com/user/bosnianbill

Amazing how fast he picks most supposedly "good" locks. There aren't too many that he can't pick, but if you wade through his videos and recommendations his favorites seem to be Mul-T-Lock, Abloy Abus and a few others I don't recall offhand.

 

[OCDMacGeek]

Looking at the picture, I don't see a lock button. I hope you can lock it from the outside (as you leave the house) without using your key. I have a Kwikset one that has a lock button.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

This is a fairly late-to-the-BT/WiFi-lock game so I'm puzzled why it looks like the same bulky #pads Schlage sold in the late 90s. No way do I want something that office looking on the inside of my door. I'm sticking with my August lock.

 

[AcesHigh87]

That's why there's keypad on door lock. You don't need to get out your phone or say "Siri unlock the door." Trust me it's more convenient to unlock from the Keypad then from your keys or iPhone

Keypad locks have been a thing for ages. I don't need HomeKit (and the price that goes along with it) to use that. If I want to use a keypad I'll buy a cheaper keypad option.

If locks like this want to be useful, at least in my opinion, they need to offer an easier option that you can't get by paying less. NFC and Bluetooth should both make this more than possible.