Smart Lock Maker August Home Acquired by Major Lock Manufacturer Assa Abloy

[MacRumors]

Smart lock company August Home has been acquired by Swedish lock manufacturer Assa Abloy, the world's largest lock manufacturer by sales volume and owner of Yale and multiple other lock brands. As is customary, the acquisition is "conditional upon regulatory approval," but Assa Abloy mentioned in its press release that it should close sometime during the fourth quarter of 2017. Any further terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed.

According to Assa Abloy executives, the company's interest in August Home comes from its ability to "strengthen" and "reinforce" Assa Abloy's position in the residential smart door market. The acquisition will also fuel the Swedish company's expansion into video doorbells and home delivery solutions.

"I am very pleased to welcome August into the ASSA ABLOY Group. August constitutes a strategic addition to the Group and reinforces our position in the residential smart door market," says Johan Molin, President and CEO of ASSA ABLOY.

"August Home strengthens our residential smart door strategy with complementary smart locks, expansion into video doorbells and comprehensive solutions for home delivery," says Thanasis Molokotos, Executive Vice President of ASSA ABLOY and Head of the Americas Division.

Speaking with TechCrunch, August Home confirmed that co-founder Jason Johnson will remain CEO of the San Francisco-based company following the acquisition. Additionally, August Home will keep its existing brand, but now operate under the Americas division of Assa Abloy.

The latest product launched by August Home was the $199 Doorbell Cam Pro, which has a full-color HD camera and microphone for two-way audio and one-way video, allowing home owners to see and talk to visitors even when they aren't home. Otherwise, the company is well known for its smart lock devices, most recently including the August Smart Lock Pro that launched in September with HomeKit support.

Article Link: Smart Lock Maker August Home Acquired by Major Lock Manufacturer Assa Abloy

 

[az431]

Based on August’s products, this acquisition can only weaken Assa’s reputation and product line.

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

Their products seemed to always fall short.

 

[samh004]

The latest product launched by August Home was the $199 Doorbell Cam Pro, which has a full-color HD camera and microphone for two-way audio and one-way video, allowing home owners to see and talk to visitors even when they aren't home.

Seems like a strange item to draw attention to. Aren't they all full-color cameras these days? HD perhaps not, or HD compared to full HD at least.

 

[TheBuffather]

Another American company lost to foreigners.

 

[jelockwood]

I am hoping that this might result in the August Lock and other products being adapted for sale outside the USA. Sadly August themselves have been one of too many IoT makers who think US=World. (I am looking at you Lutron. )

Assa Abloy via their Yale Subsidiary have been doing smart locks for both the US and Europe. (And Australia I believe.)

For those unaware the regional issues include -

US = Dead bolts
Europe = Euro Profile and/or Night Latch

Z-Wave uses different frequencies in the US, Europe and Australia

The August Connect requires mains power, here we have both a need for different plug adapters and 110v vs 220v power.

Note: Assa Abloy via their Yale subsidiary had recently announced they were adding HomeKit support and have literally just started shipping the HomeKit module in the US. (Still waiting here in the UK.)

Note: To show how easy it would have been for August to do a Euro Profile version, an enterprising Chinese entrepreneur has created a simple adapter plate which lets the standard August Lock control Euro Profile mechanisms.

 

[duffman9000]

Does anyone notice sometime wrong with that picture? That window better be of the unbreakable type.

 

[Xavier]

That knob is HUGE

 

[imronburgundy]

That knob is HUGE

It's the pleats

 

[az431]

I am hoping that this might result in the August Lock and other products being adapted for sale outside the USA.

Consider yourself lucky. The August Lock is an absolutely horrible product.

 

[RMo]

Seems like a strange item to draw attention to. Aren't they all full-color cameras these days? HD perhaps not, or HD compared to full HD at least.

No. Ring, for example, uses IR to capture imagery at night; the August beams an LED at your guests when it's dark and records in regular color. That's what they mean here. (That being said, I suspect IR works better and would freak out your guests less.)

 

[WilliamG]

Consider yourself lucky. The August Lock is an absolutely horrible product.

No it’s not. I have two.

 

[profets]

Consider yourself lucky. The August Lock is an absolutely horrible product.

Why would you describe it as an absolutely horrible product?

I have a few that I use and they work beautifully. I especially like that they work with HomeKit and how they only replace the lock on the inside of the door, still allowing the keyed access from outside.

 

[KazuSnow]

Does anyone notice sometime wrong with that picture? That window better be of the unbreakable type.

No, she just doesn't live in America...

 

[duffman9000]

No, she just doesn't live in America...

Lol...
Well to those who don’t see the flaw, never place a thumb-turn lock near a window*. It provides almost zero security. Someone can come along, break the glass, and unlock your door.

*made out of glass

 

[44267547]

Does anyone notice sometime wrong with that picture? That window better be of the unbreakable type.

There isn't necessarily any thing wrong with this picture, because It's Called polycarbonate if that's the glass used here. Most homes that have this type of window structure built into the door, is unbreakable. It's the same type of material used in gas stations for surrounding a cashier counter or gun displays.

 

[d-b]

Another American company lost to foreigners.

And what do you think happens in Sweden all the time?

Why are Americans so retarded? Do you even own a passport?

 

[duffman9000]

There isn't necessarily any thing wrong with this picture, because It's Called polycarbonate if that's the glass used here. Most homes that have this type of window structure built into the door, is unbreakable. It's the same type of material used in gas stations for surrounding a cashier counter or gun displays.

Now that’s new fangled technology. I have a rear patio door with window (probably glass). To compound the insecurity I have window next to the door that is probably also glass. I had to install a double cylinder deadbolt fml.

 

[kingpushup]

Anemic is the carrier’s proof for this claim.

Also I cannot imagine many customers, if on automatic-upgrade installment plans, wanting the iPhone 8 more than the iPhone X this year.

But again, let’s see some numbers ... in a month ... on both devices released (8 v X) ... reflecting consumers’ purchase method mix (Apple v Carrier; Upgrade Plan v other).

 

[extrachrispy]

That knob is HUGE

That's why I went with a Kwikset Kevo 2 instead (plus the touch-to-unlock is cool--when it works :/ )
[doublepost=1508449993][/doublepost]

Now that’s new fangled technology. I have a rear patio door with window (probably glass). To compound the insecurity I have window next to the door that is probably also glass. I had to install a double cylinder deadbolt fml.

If you do that, for the sake of fire safety, have a key hanging someplace obvious, but out-of-arms-length of the door.
[doublepost=1508450042][/doublepost]

There isn't necessarily any thing wrong with this picture, because It's Called polycarbonate if that's the glass used here. Most homes that have this type of window structure built into the door, is unbreakable. It's the same type of material used in gas stations for surrounding a cashier counter or gun displays.

At least here in the U.S., few, if any, residential doors use polycarbonate rather than glass.

Locks keep honest people out.

 

[TheBuffather]

And what do you think happens in Sweden all the time?

Why are Americans so retarded? Do you even own a passport?

Well you’re quite the nasty little tool, aren’t you? Businesses leaving the US is an epidemic. That doesn’t mean it’s also a problem elsewhere. Your assumptions reveal your intelligence.