The Kwikset Kevo lets people unlock their doors with just a finger tap. But as cool as the spiffy Bluetooth-enabled lock sounds, it relies on companion software to make the magic happen. Fortunately the Android app has recently come out of beta. Now people with compatible devices can take advantage of all the features previously available only to iOS users.
The app requires Lollipop due to its reliance on Bluetooth Smart, which only the latest version of Android fully supports. Even with this considered, the list of supported devices is still pretty short. The website explicitly mentions just the Nexus 6, Nexus 9, and the Galaxy S5.
The Kevo app currently shows up as incompatible with my Nexus 5 and HTC One M7, both of which run Android 5.0. This doesn't bother me at the moment, because to get any use out of the app, you need to have the hardware.
Interested users will have to invest at least a couple hundred dollars into their front door to get any of this to work. Living in a rental, this isn't an option for me. But at least now more people are able to make the decision.
PRESS RELEASE
Kwikset Releases Android App for Kevo Smart Lock
LAKE FOREST, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kwikset®, the leader in residential door hardware, today released an Android™ app for its Bluetooth®-enabled smart lock, Kevo™. The app will allow Android users with compatible devices to experience full functionality of Kevo previously only available to iOS users.
The Kevo Android app is available for download from the Google Play store to select Android devices that support Android 5.0 Lollipop (L) software. Compatible devices include Samsung’s current flagship device, the Samsung Galaxy S5, Nexus 6 phone and Nexus 9 tablet.
“Kwikset and technology partner, UniKey Technologies, Inc., have demonstrated continued investment in the Kevo Android platform, first with a private beta test in November 2014, then with a public beta program in December 2014,” said Greg Williamson, chief marketing officer, Hardware and Home Improvement, Spectrum Brands. “These successful beta programs paired with positive customer feedback allowed Kwikset to bring a fully functional app to the consumer quickly.”
Kevo Android allows users the same functionality available to iOS users including touch-to-open convenience, electronic key (eKey) management and Kevo Works with Nest compatibility.
For more information about the Kevo Android app and to view a list of compatible devices, please visit http://www.kwikset.com/kevo/compatibility. Visit http://kwiksetpresskit.com for information about Kwikset’s latest products and to access high-resolution images.
