Yale Releases Its First Smart Locks With HomeKit Support

[MacRumors]

Yale today announced it is releasing its first two smart locks with support for Apple's HomeKit platform.

Both the Assure Lock SL (YRD256) and Assure Lock Key Free Touchscreen Deadbolt (YRD246) will soon be available with an iM1 Network Module preinstalled, which adds HomeKit compatibility out of the box.

Yale is also releasing the iM1 Network Module separately for customers that wish to add HomeKit support to an Assure Lock they already purchased.

Installing the module can be done by removing the battery cover and batteries, snapping the module into place, and enrolling the module by following these steps:

1. Enter the master PIN code and tap the gear.
   Tap 7 and tap the gear.
   Tap 1 and tap the gear.

HomeKit support will enable users to lock and unlock their homes with Apple's Home app on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 10 or later. Homeowners can also use Siri voice commands, such as "Hey Siri, lock the front door."

Assure locks feature a backlit capacitive touchscreen keypad for keyless entry. If a smartphone is unavailable, users can enter a unique 4-8 digit PIN code to enter the home.

With the companion Yale Secure app, users are able to check battery status, manage up to 250 unique 4-8 digit PIN codes, see current lock status, customize lock settings, name a lock, and add a new lock.

Locking and unlocking away from home requires a fourth-generation Apple TV or later, or an iPad with iOS 10.3 or later, set up as a home hub.

The locks are powered by four AA batteries included, or users can touch a 9V battery to the terminals at the bottom as a backup option.

The new Assure Lock SL and Assure Lock Key Free Touchscreen Deadbolt with the iM1 Network Module should be available on Amazon by Monday, October 16 for $249.99 and $199.99 respectively. Prices vary.

The module will be available for $49.99 at major retail stores in the United States and Canada, including Best Buy and Lowe's, starting October 16.

Article Link: Yale Releases Its First Smart Locks With HomeKit Support

 

[madsci954]

Yale is also releasing the iM1 Network Module separately for customers that wish to add HomeKit support to an Assure Lock they already purchased.

I think this is the biggest take away from this. I’m not currently in the market for a smart lock, but if that day comes, Yale just made it to the top of the list.

 

[Braderunner]

What we need (or...what I want) is a lock that can be unlocked with a tap of the Apple Watch!

 

[canadianreader]

It looks like a Nokia feature phone

 

[imola.zhp]

What we need (or...what I want) is a lock that can be unlocked with a tap of the Apple Watch!

Kwikset Kevo lets you tap the lock (with your finger) to get in, it also retains the key hole for traditional key use. But it is not homekit compatible (or the one we have is not), and the app has to be running in the background of your phone to work (annoying) or you attach a fob to your key-ring and leave it in your pocket (this is what we do). It isn't a perfect setup, it does not work as well as the comfort access systems on our BMW i3's (which spoiled us and made us want the tap to unlock feature) but it works as it should 80-85% of the time. We enabled and use the triple tap to lock when leaving which is nice and works 95% of the time, the other 5% is usually user error (not tapping quickly enough).

 

[mytdave]

They look very pretty, but once again, way too expensive. Folks, your generic digital combo locks are available at hardware stores for $50. Do these companies really think people are going to spend $200-300 just to have a "home kit compatible" lock? (I don't know, maybe there are people crazy enough to spend that kind of dough on a door lock.)

 

[imola.zhp]

They look very pretty, but once again, way too expensive. Folks, your generic digital combo locks are available at hardware stores for $50. Do these companies really think people are going to spend $200-300 just to have a "home kit compatible" lock? (I don't know, maybe there are people crazy enough to spend that kind of dough on a door lock.)

They will probably price gouge for a year then drop the price (and move more product), or come out with a second generation with some new feature and then seem to have a reason to drop the price to a price that still makes them money but looks more attractive to the consumer. We'll stick with the 1st gen Kevo I got off of eBay pretty cheap for now.

 

[Vanilla35]

Is there a reason it's taking forever for these things to add compatibility? I guess thorough testing. Home automation has been a thing now for 2-3 years, and very actively growing the last 1-2 years.

Lots of people have already bought devices (not me), and it's kind of a mess with compatibility right now.

 

[symphony]

Paul Allen was all about the whole Yale thing

 

[nutmac]

Looks similar to Kwikset's Obsidian, which strangely does not integrate with any major services (e.g., Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant).

 

[craigmak]

We have att digital life with the smart lock but don’t use the Yale app. Will I be able to upgrade using the iM1?

 

[aristobrat]

Folks, your generic digital combo locks are available at hardware stores for $50.

A few things that the $200 smart locks can do that the $50 generic lock you mention can't:

Remotely show the lock status.
I go to work before my kids leave for school. Did they remember to lock the door on their way out to the bus? Let me check...

Remotely lock/unlock the door.
Crap, my turd of a son did leave the damn door unlocked. Let me push this button and lock it.
or I'm not home but need to let my neighbor in really quick this one time -- I don't want them to have a permanent code that lets them in anytime...

Automation.
Automatically lock this door at 11PM every night.

or When I unlock this door at night and there are no lights turned on inside, automatically turn on the hallway and kitchen lights for me.

or As I'm pulling into the driveway and say "Hey Siri, I'm home" to my Apple Watch, automatically unlock the front door for me (because my hands will be full of grocery bags).

or When I say "Hey Siri, Good night", automatically lock this door for me if it's unlocked (regardless of the time).

or Alert me when someone unlocks the door.

etc, etc, etc

Is all of that worth the extra $$$? Obviously, not to you. But doesn't seem a fair comparison at all to imply a "$50 generic digital combo lock" is an equivalent.

 

[extrachrispy]

What we need (or...what I want) is a lock that can be unlocked with a tap of the Apple Watch!

You can almost get that with a Kwikset Kevo 2. They do not (yet?) have a Watch app, but with the app running (foreground or background) on your phone, and the phone in your (front) pocket, you can touch the deadbolt to lock or unlock the door from the outside.

 

[GadgetBen]

Make this compatible with Apple Watch for close proximity access and I will definitely install one of these locks on my privately enclosed outbuilding (which is surrounded by my 8ft garden walls and quadruple locked heavy duty metal gate).

 

[EdT]

They look very pretty, but once again, way too expensive. Folks, your generic digital combo locks are available at hardware stores for $50. Do these companies really think people are going to spend $200-300 just to have a "home kit compatible" lock? (I don't know, maybe there are people crazy enough to spend that kind of dough on a door lock.)

How secure are the $50.00 locks vs the $300.00 locks? I honestly don’t know, but if the $50 lock can be easily hacked and the $300 one can’t then those who want a secure remote lock will pay, and everyone else will buy a good keylock.

 

[vahdyx]

I'm still waiting on the Linus. I think that looks great but it's been delayed so many times now I think I may just jump to August.

 

[c1phers]

Jeez Yale needs to get it together, how it this device not live to buy yet, today is the release date.