Smart locks can be safer than traditional ones because keys
can’t be lost, shared or copied, and there’s a record of the comings and goings
of keyholders. The biggest threat is old-fashioned lock-picking. But an
electronic lock requires a bigger leap of faith than an Internet-connected thermostat,
security camera or light bulb. Let’s consider three smart locks in my
home—August, Kevo and the $180 Lockitron.
Lockitron, the only one of the lot with a Wi-Fi connection and
its maker has yet to deliver on several promised features.
The August app for iPhone and Android lets you lock and
unlock your door in two taps. When your deadbolts take commands from a
phone, some magical things become possible. With August and Kevo, you can order
the door to open automatically when your hands are full of groceries, or you
just want to show off. You can travel light, because a smartphone can now
replace both your keychain and wallet. You can send virtual keys to tenants,
house guests and plumbers that expire before anyone wears out their welcome.
August and Kevo get the balance between reliability and
functionality mostly right. Both leave an old-fashioned keyhole on the outside,
so residents without smartphones (or, with ones whose batteries have died) can
still come and go using keys. And since your phone connects directly to the
locks with Bluetooth, they have fewer points of failure.
August is the best-designed home technology since the Nest
thermostat. Free iPhone and Android apps allow you to dole out virtual keys to
permanent residents or guests and track their activity. When an authorized phone is within Bluetooth
range, August can lock or unlock the door. If you use the app, it takes a few
seconds to load.
Kevo, whose inventor appeared on the reality show
“Shark Tank,” replaces your entire lock, eliminating compatibility
problems. It takes a Kwikset deadbolt and adds a motor, batteries, Bluetooth
radio and a touch sensor. You never have to take your phone out of your pocket,
let alone futz with an app.
Still, installing Kevo isn’t for the timid. And then there’s
calibration. Kevo, which has Bluetooth antennas on both sides of the door, is
designed to unlock only when it senses an authorized person outside the house.
(This security feature prevents the door from unlocking when you’re peering out
from inside.)
Other what-ifs to
consider:
• What if your
phone’s battery dies? The physical key will still work, so keep one
handy. Kevo includes a wireless key fob. August plans to soon work with other
secure Bluetooth devices and unlock in their proximity.
• What if your
lock’s battery dies? Both August and Kevo come with four AA batteries
that should last a year. Their apps will warn you before they die. If they do
fail, there’s always that spare physical key.
• What if you
lose your phone? You can borrow another phone or computer to log in to
your smart lock account and stop your lost phone from working as a key.
Someone could steal your account password and attempt to get
a virtual key. August alerts you whenever your credentials are used on a new
device, and texts or emails you a code that’s required to unlock a door for the
first time on a new device. The ideal deadbolt would come with a camera and be
able to alert my phone when anybody enters with a key (metal as well as
virtual). It should be smart enough to lock up at night if forgotten.
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