06
Dec
1

Meet The DoorBot: A Wireless Doorbell With Video, Two-Way Chat, And Lockitron Support

Posted by in News

I have a confession to make: I'm usually not a big fan of anything I see as a "novelty" product. Sure, there are cool ideas, but I'm all about usefulness. Things that make life easier, more convenient, or just generally better. I think the DoorBot is one of those things.

The DoorBot, in short, is a W-Fi doorbell with one-way video and two-way chat. Here's how it works: someone rings your doorbell, which notifies you on your phone. You answer it like a call, thus activating the DoorBot's camera so you can see who's there. Then you're free to talk back and forth.

02
Oct
unnamed

Lockitron Is Back With A $149 Kit That Allows You To Unlock Your Door With A Phone

Posted by in News

The last time we heard from Lockitron the company was trying to sell a $300 smart deadbolt lock that you could open with NFC. This time Lockitron is taking a different, less expensive approach. The new device is mounted on top of your existing deadbolt, allowing you to control it without buying and installing a whole new lock. The product isn't quite ready to ship, but the company has a handy video demo ready to go.

The box is fairly easy to install on your door, and it runs on AA batteries that last for about a year. Inside are Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modules that are used to manage the lock remotely.