SwitchBot Launches Two Matter Smart Locks With 3D Facial Recognition

[name99]

interesting product. but why does it use Wi-Fi instead of Thread?

WiFi allows you to view the state of the lock/door (and even lock or unlock it away from home if required) using the associated app.

Thread is more local.
IF the lock hooks into HomeKit, you may get control via a HomeKit Hub (like Apple TV) but that requires the HomeKit connection to be bulletproof and see my post above.
Alternatively the lock has to connect to some associated hub (which then connects to WiFi, to tunnel to the app away from home) and then you've got the whole mess of how many fscking hubs do you want to buy? I have at least three of these things for different brands, and I absolutely refuse to buy another product that demands I also buy a new hub.

 

[1rottenapple]

For the front I just prefer good old keypad. I don’t necessarily wants a Bluetooth wideband and hands free unlocking, which I feel like that can easily be spoofed from some clever method a year or two down the line. Keypad with code has worked for me the past 3 year. And rechargeable batteries work for me. 3 years with no issues and I’ve also used to for renters downstairs. It’s simple and uses codes for access. And removes codes as needed.

 

[1rottenapple]

WiFi allows you to view the state of the lock/door (and even lock or unlock it away from home if required) using the associated app.

Thread is more local.
IF the lock hooks into HomeKit, you may get control via a HomeKit Hub (like Apple TV) but that requires the HomeKit connection to be bulletproof and see my post above.
Alternatively the lock has to connect to some associated hub (which then connects to WiFi, to tunnel to the app away from home) and then you've got the whole mess of how many fscking hubs do you want to buy? I have at least three of these things for different brands, and I absolutely refuse to buy another product that demands I also buy a new hub.

Yah I stopped using hub. Even HomeKit and thread is funky. My nest version 3 is supposed to have HomeKit with thread but it has never work worked. It’s annoying one update can screw everything up. I just don’t want to deal with multiple systems that are supposed to work but stop working.

My home front lock doesn’t need a hub. Why should it? I manage it in the app. Give out temp codes if needed. Nothing too fancy. It’s when you add “features” with hub and other system does it become screwy and funky. No thanks

 

[JohnRckr]

I am getting sick of every product being either called “Pro” or having a version that is “Pro”

 

[SalisburySam]

Did I miss it in the article? What makes the "Pro" version different/better?

$60 and the name. And yeah, you have to go search for anything beyond those two factoids. Please share if you find anything meaningful.

 

[tridley68]

I will just stick to a key seems a lot easier to me. 🤟

 

[veeco]

Did I miss it in the article? What makes the "Pro" version different/better?

From their site (non-pro also has Face unlock but it's not in this bullet point):

SwitchBot Lock Vision​

6 Ways to Unlock:Time-Limited Passcode / Widgets / Apple Watch / NFC / Family Sharing /Physical Key — a way in for everyone in the family.

SwitchBot Lock Vision Pro​

10+ Ways to Unlock:Face / palm vein / fingerprint / keypad / NFC / geo-fence / app / voice / widget / key — a way in for everyone in the family.

 

[mazz0]

The Pro version of the lock adds palm vein and fingerprint access too, for even more ways to get into your house. Palm vein detection works without touching the lock, even if hands are wet or dirty.

Very handy for the occasions when you forget your face. Either that, or it’s technology for its own sake with no practical use.

 

[rivertrip]

The biggest advantage of smart locks is being able to check whether you forgot to lock the door (and locking it if necessary) without returning home.

Fears about biometric, NFC, and keypad entry remind me of when passwords were introduced on personal computers. Many people didn't use them because they were afraid they might be locked out of their accounts, and that somehow passwords would make accounts less secure. (Widespread use of duplicate passwords actually did make accounts insecure, but not as insecure as no password.)

 

[Mr_Ed]

Very handy for the occasions when you forget your face. Either that, or it’s technology for its own sake with no practical use.

Yeah, that’s how a lot of it looks to me. Whenever I see a product claiming to address a long list of “problems”, it always sounds to me like “jack of all trades, master of none” and I’m immediately turned off.

If I had a need for a smart lock, I would rather focus on one that provides some convenience through a few tried and true methods, than one with a long list of methods that I will likely not use in its entirety. Why pay for all those additional methods when I’m not likely to use all of them and are bound to vary in reliability depending on your actual situation when I can pay roughly the same or less and buy one with just keypad, physical key override, and maybe phone access?

I like to “tinker” with gadgets in some of my leisure activities but I won’t include accessing my home in those hobby activities. I don’t need a family member calling out to me every time they have a problem getting in the house. But that’s just me. YMMV.

 

[Unity451]

"Welcome home, Mr. Anderton."

 

[moiety]

Matter-over-Thread SwitchBot when?? 🙄