I got the August smart lock recently, and thought I would let you guys know my thoughts about it. This came about because my wife actually mentioned that she wishes our house had keyless entry like her car does. Her car keys are always at the bottom of the purse (which I hate when I need to move her car).
First, I chose it because we live in an older home with the original door from the 1920s that uses a very pretty deadbolt from Nostalgic Warehouse. Other smart locks or zwave locks are too ugly for WAF. On the outside of the house, the lock looks great. On this inside, it wasn't too noticeable due to the dark color of the door.
Pros - installation was easy. Very easy. The iPhone app works well as you can set the lock to automatically unlock when you approach the door from outside the house. It doesn't automatically unlock from the inside of the house. Also you can have the lock automatically relock the door after being opened (called everlock). It's a good way to get your self locked out though if you step outside to take the trash out without your keys or phone
Cons: Everlock a good way to get your self locked out though if you step outside to take the trash out without your keys or phone Also the Android app sucks. Right now there is no way to have it automatically unlock the door, no widgets, and no tasker integration. So I stuck my old iPhone in my car, and the door automatically unlocks when I drive up.
Big con is that right now it is not controllable by Elk or other automation devices since it does not use Z-wave. Just bluetooth LE. We will have to wait for one of the new hubs to include a bluetooth stack. I'm actually working on using Tasker and Autovoice on a spare Android phone to tie it in in with my Elk, so that I can have it arm with the alarm panel and to periodically report changes in states. I need help though if anyone else is willing!
So right now it is kind of like the Nest -- neat on its own, but not part of an home automation system. I bet Apple will tie it in with their upcoming Homekit.
In the end -very high wife acceptance factor. She loves it. I would if the company would make it more controllable with automation devices.
First, I chose it because we live in an older home with the original door from the 1920s that uses a very pretty deadbolt from Nostalgic Warehouse. Other smart locks or zwave locks are too ugly for WAF. On the outside of the house, the lock looks great. On this inside, it wasn't too noticeable due to the dark color of the door.
Pros - installation was easy. Very easy. The iPhone app works well as you can set the lock to automatically unlock when you approach the door from outside the house. It doesn't automatically unlock from the inside of the house. Also you can have the lock automatically relock the door after being opened (called everlock). It's a good way to get your self locked out though if you step outside to take the trash out without your keys or phone
Cons: Everlock a good way to get your self locked out though if you step outside to take the trash out without your keys or phone
Also the Android app sucks. Right now there is no way to have it automatically unlock the door, no widgets, and no tasker integration. So I stuck my old iPhone in my car, and the door automatically unlocks when I drive up. Big con is that right now it is not controllable by Elk or other automation devices since it does not use Z-wave. Just bluetooth LE. We will have to wait for one of the new hubs to include a bluetooth stack. I'm actually working on using Tasker and Autovoice on a spare Android phone to tie it in in with my Elk, so that I can have it arm with the alarm panel and to periodically report changes in states. I need help though if anyone else is willing!
So right now it is kind of like the Nest -- neat on its own, but not part of an home automation system. I bet Apple will tie it in with their upcoming Homekit.
In the end -very high wife acceptance factor. She loves it. I would if the company would make it more controllable with automation devices.
