About one year ago smart lock company August Home was acquired by Swedish lock manufacturer Assa Abloy, which also owns Yale and a few other lock brands. Today, Yale and August announced that they are teaming up for a new line of Keypad Smart Locks that combine Yale's secure lock hardware with August's app and cloud-based connected software.
The "Assure Locks - Connected by August" will let customers unlock their doors manually with August's app or an entry code, as well as automatically thanks to the Auto Unlock feature, which grants access as the user approaches with their smartphone. Existing Yale customers will be able to replace older deadbolt lock and keys with the smart keypads.
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Thanks to August's integration, the Yale keypads also support Siri and HomeKit, so users can ask Siri to open the door or set automations that lock and unlock the door at certain times of the day. The keypads also work with Alexa and Google Assistant.
Additionally, customers can use the August app itself to control the new keypads, share virtual keys, see status updates of who comes and goes from their home, and ensure that the door is closed and locked. August CEO Jason Johnson says the new products are just the beginning of the Yale and August partnership.
“Yale and August share a deep commitment to making our customers’ doors smarter and more secure,” said Jason Johnson, CEO and co-founder of August. “This new Yale Connected by August lineup is simply the beginning of what we will accomplish together when it comes to innovating the lock industry.”
“When August became part of the ASSA ABLOY family, it made perfect sense for the two companies to combine one another’s expertise to build new and exciting products for our customers,” said Jason Williams, President of Yale’s Residential Group. “We’ve brought together our respective teams of engineers and designers to create products that seamlessly integrate our most trusted hardware with our smartest software.”
The Connected by August kit includes an August Connect Wi-Fi Bridge and DoorSense, enabling remote access of the keypad lock when not at home. There are two models: the Assure Lock SL with an edge-to-edge touchscreen keypad at $299 and the Assure Lock Touchscreen with a numeric touchscreen as well as traditional key access at $279. Existing Assure Locks can be upgraded by purchasing the Connected by August kit separately for $129.
You can purchase both new models on ShopYaleHome.com today, and the locks will launch on August.com, Amazon, Lowes, and Best Buy in mid October.
Top Rated Comments
And in the process they’ll lose customers who refuse to go that route. Drop the branding and then I’m interested.
I somewhat agree - I prefer a clean brand-free look very much.However, I think a better argument would’ve been faucet manufacturers have stylish branding on their products. These smartlock companies just need more elegant branding.
But none if the new. Even outside of tech: Every car I have ever bought came with a sticker or decal on the back with the dealership's name - which I remove with GooGone as soon as I get home. I just got a fence for my yard, and the installer riveted on a small (2"x3") plate with his brand and phone number on the corner post. I'm going to leave that on so I remember who to call if it needs repair later, but it's clearly there so neighbors and others walking by know who installed the fence if they like it. Most of my homegoods have a logo on them: blender, tea kettle, toaster, etc.
Why would Yale drop their branding when brands are all over everywhere?
Why are these things always ugly!? I don’t want to see the brand name on the device. This isn’t acceptable on regular handlesets so why is it on a smart lock?
I agree, these logos make everything look cheap.Why are these things always ugly!? I don’t want to see the brand name on the device. This isn’t acceptable on regular handlesets so why is it on a smart lock?
I don't think our Kwikset Premis lock is ugly, the branding on it blends in with the lock. Ours is in the garage, the rest of the house has traditional locks.Love the idea of a smart lock and everything controlled from the Home app. Just a little concerned someone could shout "Hey Siri, unlock the front door" through the letterbox, and my HomePod picks it up.
HomePods (and Apple TV) cannot unlock secure accessories. They can only lock them.