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Apple Stops Selling iPhone-Connected Smart Locks from August and Kevo
Over the course of the last week, Apple appears to have ceased selling two popular smart lock products in its retail stores and online. Neither the August Smart Lock nor the Kwikset Kevo Wireless-Enabled Deadbolt Lock are listed on Apple's website, but both were still for sale on November 13.
The August Smart Lock and the Kwikset Kevo are both Bluetooth-enabled locks that allow users to unlock their doors using their iPhones. It is not clear why Apple has decided to stop selling the locks, but it could be in an effort to highlight only products that offer HomeKit compatibility. The Kwikset Kevo and the August Smart Lock are not HomeKit-enabled products and cannot be used with other HomeKit devices.
While Apple is no longer selling the Kwikset Kevo or the August Smart Lock, it is selling the Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt, another smart lock that does offer HomeKit compatibility. The Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt is in fact the only locking product that offers HomeKit integration thus far. August has debuted a second-generation product that includes HomeKit integration, and when that begins shipping to customers, it's possible Apple may continue offering the August Smart Lock in its stores.
Apple has also pulled the Belkin WeMo switch from its online store, suggesting it may be ceasing to offer several home-connected products that are not also offering HomeKit to avoid confusing its customers.
Apple sells quite a few HomeKit products in its retail stores and online, offering devices from Ecobee, Philips, Elgato, Lutron, and Schlage.
The August Smart Lock and the Kwikset Kevo are both Bluetooth-enabled locks that allow users to unlock their doors using their iPhones. It is not clear why Apple has decided to stop selling the locks, but it could be in an effort to highlight only products that offer HomeKit compatibility. The Kwikset Kevo and the August Smart Lock are not HomeKit-enabled products and cannot be used with other HomeKit devices.
While Apple is no longer selling the Kwikset Kevo or the August Smart Lock, it is selling the Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt, another smart lock that does offer HomeKit compatibility. The Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt is in fact the only locking product that offers HomeKit integration thus far. August has debuted a second-generation product that includes HomeKit integration, and when that begins shipping to customers, it's possible Apple may continue offering the August Smart Lock in its stores.
Apple has also pulled the Belkin WeMo switch from its online store, suggesting it may be ceasing to offer several home-connected products that are not also offering HomeKit to avoid confusing its customers.
Apple sells quite a few HomeKit products in its retail stores and online, offering devices from Ecobee, Philips, Elgato, Lutron, and Schlage.
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43 months ago
I think one just needs to check the reviews on Amazon to understand why Apple pulled these 2 locks and kept the Schlage...
43 months ago
I'd like to see a smart lock with NFC that works just like apple pay. No need to unlock my iPhone and open an app; simply hold the iPhone up to the lock, authenticate with Touch ID, and voila.
43 months ago
Cue loads of people moaning about how unsafe wireless locks are and how you can't get into your house when their phone dies etc etc etc zzzzzz
That's Eddie Cue to you.
43 months ago
I got the Schlage Sense about a week ago, installation went beautifully, works like butter inside the home, but...
Outside the home it's a complete clusterf**k. I have two HomeKit devices, the Sense and an Ecobee3 and BOTH don't work outside the home. I've gotten both work about twice in the past week. Even with an Apple TV 4, all my devices updated to the latest iOS / tvOS, signing out/in of my iCloud, resetting my devices, etc, I cannot for the life of me get it to work reliably. Siri always barks that "Sorry, I can't do that right now".
I have an open case with Apple that's been escalated to an engineer. My guess is that because of Apple's strict stance on security, troubleshooting the connection between Siri on your iPhone outside the home and your Apple TV 4 inside your home may very well be almost impossible for even the engineers as everything is encrypted.
Before I pushed the Apple senior advisor to escalate, they were telling me it's a manufacturer issue. I would understand if I only had 1 HomeKit device and it worked sporadically, but I have two and they both don't really work from outside, so it leads me to believe that it is NOT a Schlage or Ecobee issue, but an Apple / HomeKit / AppleTV issue.
Thing is, I could live without Siri from outside. The Ecobee is Wifi enabled and has an app so you can use it from outside, not so with the Schlage. If the communications between your device and iCloud / Apple TV isn't working properly, the Schlage app WILL NOT WORK from outside the home (since it either needs Bluetooth or iCloud connectivity with your Apple TV at home). So tell me, wtf is the point of having a smart lock if I can't check the lock status away from the house?
HomeKit is currently leaving a pretty sour taste in my mouth. By far the worst experience with Apple technology I've ever had.
Outside the home it's a complete clusterf**k. I have two HomeKit devices, the Sense and an Ecobee3 and BOTH don't work outside the home. I've gotten both work about twice in the past week. Even with an Apple TV 4, all my devices updated to the latest iOS / tvOS, signing out/in of my iCloud, resetting my devices, etc, I cannot for the life of me get it to work reliably. Siri always barks that "Sorry, I can't do that right now".
I have an open case with Apple that's been escalated to an engineer. My guess is that because of Apple's strict stance on security, troubleshooting the connection between Siri on your iPhone outside the home and your Apple TV 4 inside your home may very well be almost impossible for even the engineers as everything is encrypted.
Before I pushed the Apple senior advisor to escalate, they were telling me it's a manufacturer issue. I would understand if I only had 1 HomeKit device and it worked sporadically, but I have two and they both don't really work from outside, so it leads me to believe that it is NOT a Schlage or Ecobee issue, but an Apple / HomeKit / AppleTV issue.
Thing is, I could live without Siri from outside. The Ecobee is Wifi enabled and has an app so you can use it from outside, not so with the Schlage. If the communications between your device and iCloud / Apple TV isn't working properly, the Schlage app WILL NOT WORK from outside the home (since it either needs Bluetooth or iCloud connectivity with your Apple TV at home). So tell me, wtf is the point of having a smart lock if I can't check the lock status away from the house?
HomeKit is currently leaving a pretty sour taste in my mouth. By far the worst experience with Apple technology I've ever had.
42 months ago
It's not questionable. The concept is great. Open remotely. Add codes. Set automations. Etc. Unfortunately, the Apple HomeKit bluetooth implementation, used remotely via apple tv, is very flakey. But z wave products are excellent. I actually feel more secure with this "better mousetrap" than with only a key.
As far as preemptive, I suspect he's anticipating all the bashing from those who haven't spent more than 10 seconds with one of these. Have you?
Yes. I was a huge proponent of the August lock and got in early prior to its release. Waited and waited as the delivery date kept getting pushed back over and over. I didn't really mind as I wanted a solid product but when they finally arrived there were issues. No huge deal as I know what it means to be an early adopter. I sent them back after a few weeks of unreliability having decided the advantage of these locks just didn't trump the downsides I was dealing with.
I consider the idea of these locks to be great but actually being a benefit very questionable. Adding multiple points of failure to a simple, easily useable device is a step back for a small amount of convenience. Just my opinion and I may change it one day. As for the post I originally responded to. That was trolling plain and simple.
43 months ago
I'd like to see a smart lock with NFC that works just like apple pay. No need to unlock my iPhone and open an app; simply hold the iPhone up to the lock, authenticate with Touch ID, and voila.
Ideally connected to my Apple Watch. I think :)
43 months ago
I'm still waiting for a PoE or other wired "smart" lock... You can't trust ISM band wireless with such an important task... Nor batteries.
It's probably the least thought out part of the IoT. Lots of devices equal lots of interference.
5Ghz is already getting crowded in my neighborhood, despite the short range. There are 5 houses within 400 feet LOS of my house and I can see 3, 5Ghz WiFi APs (other than my 2) from my MBP when I'm sitting in my living room.
I've mitigated some of my issues by setting up 4 different WiFi networks with the APs all spread apart (closest to the "center of action" for each task).
1x AirPort Extreme serving laptops and personal devices on 2.4Ghz/5Ghz (ch11 and ch149).
1x AirPort Extreme 2.4Ghz/5Ghz for streaming devices like Apple TV, Roku, and Smart TVs (ch 6 and ch46).
1x MikroTik medium power 2.4Ghz AP for just surveillance cameras (ch 1).
1x MikroTik medium power 2.4Ghz AP on a span channel for home automation(ch 4).
All my 2.4Ghz APs are on 20Mhz mode. Using the 40Mhz mode on most APs just makes interference more of an issue and generally makes the error-free range much smaller (for not a whole lot of real world speed). Sticking to the 20Mhz mode also seemed to give bluetooth a much larger range for me. Despite having all that WiFi in the house, I can still get 60-90 feet with my bluetooth audio devices.
I would say out of all the locks I've researched, the Schlage is probably the most impressive / secure / dummy proof. That may not be saying much as smart locks are still relatively new and I'm sure in 3-5 years from now, we'll all be laughing at how immature these products are.
However, the Schlage can be unlocked via 4 methods, Using the App on your iPhone, using Siri, Using the keypad on the deadbolt itself or using the actual key that comes with it (regular key, you can make duplicates at the hardware store).
If the battery dies (they're supposed to last one year), the first three methods won't work, but the key will always work, like a traditional deadbolt.
I also like that it doesn't have proximity unlock, because I don't trust these devices to be able to figure out if the iPhone that's in proximity is INSIDE the House or OUTSIDE. What if it's inside the house near the door and the house is locked? Anyone can unlock the door by just trying the handle? I don't know.. Anyway, Schlage isn't like this which was a bonus for me. And seeing as the Schlage isn't a true IoT device, the chances of getting it hacked are practically none since it doesn't communicate with the outside world like something like the Ecobee3, Nest products, etc.
Finally, everything inside the house is working beautifully for me, so I know it's really the connection to the outside via the Apple TV / iCloud / Network and a lot of other unknowns and uncontrollable aspects.
43 months ago
Kevo has never not worked for me. I love it!
I've got the Kevo (have only had it since late last week) but so far it's great. My phone stays in my pocket and the deadbolt locks/unlocks every time.
Same for me. It's been working great! Especially since the software and the lock firmware update a month or so ago. Previously it would work immediately about 9 out of 10 times (the other 1 out of 10 I would have to pull out my phone and it would work right away). Now with the updates its probably 98% or 99% awesome.
I just wish the kevo plus was cheaper. $70 additional to the locks for remote lock/unlock is a bit steep.
Edit - I have been using the locks for about 8 months (since mid April, 2015).
43 months ago
For the Holiday's, introducing the new Apple Lock. Just hold your phone up and authenticated with your fingerprint. :-)
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