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August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Generation) review: Simple, speedy security
It takes almost no time or skill to transform your front door into a smarter, smartphone-friendly setup
The worst part of August's Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Generation) is that it reminded me that I have a crooked front door. So much so, that the device's incredibly helpful locking and unlocking functionality, which you can access via a simple smartphone app or trigger on a timer, was less useful for me. But that's the door's fault; the Wi-Fi Smart Lock is as easy to install as it is to configure, and it'll bring you extra security and convenience in less time than it takes to read this review. It's not the most feature-packed lock, but it's a solid addition to your smart home for a reasonable price.
If you’ve been meaning to add additional security to your residence or business, one of the best gadgets you can invest in is a smart lock. Like many smart home devices, smart locks are relatively simple to use, are often packed with awesome features, and require little in the way of installation. You can even purchase some locks that can be placed over your door’s existing deadbolt assembly.
SwitchBot Smart Lock review: Affordable and reliable home security
This smart lock is cheap, seamless to install, and easy to use
The SwitchBot Smart Lock is one of the more affordable smart locks on the market, offering enhanced door security at a reasonable price. Indeed, at only $100, it’s a very affordable product, while offering plenty of features. It aims to cater to a broad range of doors with its adaptable design. It’s meant to fit over the thumb-turn of existing locks, great for rental properties where lock replacement isn't feasible, or for people who don’t want to fiddle with their existing lock. If you can get past the bulky design, it's a great option.
Android could soon add support for digital smart lock keys
Code in Google Play Services shows work on a new, open NFC standard
Smart locks are a fundamental component of a modern home. You can add tons of features to your smart home's security with a smart lock. For example, you could set a temporary, one-time entry code for landlords or maintenance workers, set automatic lock schedules to make sure your front door never accidentally goes unlocked overnight, or unlock your door with the lock's corresponding mobile app as you approach home.
Google just introduced the Pixel Watch 2 and the Google Pixel 8. The Watch 2 appears almost identical to the first-gen Pixel Watch, which is among the top Android smartwatches. It comes with minor tweaks under the hood, like out-of-the-box Wear OS 4, improved fitness tracking, and a new chipset.
Most people have several devices that they log in to in a number of ways. You may have a password on your laptop, a fingerprint on your phone, and a pin or pattern on your tablet. These differing login methods can be frustrating and tedious to remember. However, if you have an Android phone and one of our favorite Chromebooks, Google included a feature to unlock your Chromebook with your phone. This feature is called Smart Lock, and this guide details how to set up, use, and troubleshoot it.
Yale Assure Lock 2 with Wi-Fi review: Future-proofing your home security
All that Matters is tomorrow
Smart home gadgets are in a weird spot right now. Matter is finally available for manufacturers, but it's a waiting game for consumers. Only a handful of devices work as controllers right now, with updates coming for more existing products throughout the next year. Unfortunately, plenty of gadgets at your local Best Buy will never see a Matter update, rendering them difficult to recommend.
Nuki's new Keypad lets you open your door with your fingerprint
This easy-to-install keypad also self-learns over time
Our favorite smart door locks are incredibly convenient once you’re used to using them for locking and unlocking your front door every day. They play an important role in securing your property, and versatile, feature-rich locks with support for multiple authentication methods can quickly climb in price. Nuki, a popular home security product brand in Europe has updated one of its most popular Keypad accessories for smart locks with support for biometric authentication.
The best 15 smart home deals from Prime Early Access are still alive
From speakers to smart cameras, from backlights to locks, these are the deals to see
It doesn't have to be intimidating or expensive to break into the field of smart home devices. In fact, the entire industry has gone to lengths to make the processing of setting up your smart devices as easy as possible. Most devices support one of the three main voice assistants, and a great deal offers compatibility with third-party programming methods, including IFTTT applets. And for the rest of the day, Amazon's Prime Early Access Sale ensures you don't have to make a huge investment to get some of the best smart devices on the market.
This new chip for smart locks works without any batteries
The low-power hardware can draw enough energy from your phone’s NFC chip
Connected locks are a great invention, and there are already many superb products out there. However, most of the broadly available smart locks share the same caveat: They only work with batteries or with another power source. Once power runs out, they need to be opened like an ordinary lock, so you’d still better always carry your keys with you. German semiconductor company Infineon wants to do away with this. The company has introduced a chip that can open simple padlocks with nothing but the power harvested from your phone’s NFC chip.
Eufy's new all-in-one smart lock lets you ditch your stand-alone video doorbell
Bonus: Google Assistant support, and only one battery to recharge
Shoppers certainly aren't hurting for options when it comes to smart home security solutions, with dozens of companies offering full ranges of intelligent cameras, video doorbells, and connected door locks. If you've picked up even just a few of these, though, you may already have found that juggling multiple apps, to say nothing of keeping everything charged, can be a real headache. Anker sub-brand Eufy is aiming to make this a bit easier by combining multiple devices into one with its upcoming Video Smart Lock.
Smart locks and doorbell cams had a baby: Meet Masonite's smart door
An all-in-one solution to your smart home woes
Smart home gear can be pretty fun, especially if you're decking out every room in the house with RGB lighting and wireless speakers. It's also a great way to boost your security, with cameras and smart locks scattered around the outside of your home. Of course, all of those gadgets lining the sides of the front door can be pretty finicky. Like some sort of smart home Voltron, Masonite has found a way to combine all of those essential tools into a fully functional door.
The Nuki Box is bringing smart-lock convenience to apartment dwellers across Europe
The system is cheap, easy to install, and doesn't need a building-wide network
Nuki has quickly become a popular smart home brand for budget-minded buyers, offering smart connected locks that work with European-style door mechanisms. While it makes the Nuki Opener for individual apartment door buzzers, the company is expanding its support for apartment dwellers and owners with the Nuki Box.
Pick up August's 4th-gen Wi-Fi Smart Lock at its lowest price yet of $199 ($20 off)
Secure these savings and lock in a low price today!
Dealing with a broken keylock sucks. In many cases, you're probably not in a position to fix it, thereby compounding the daily frustration of having to hit the hammers just right to get into your apartment. Well, if you've liberated yourself from who gets a lock on what you do with your locks, consider getting August's Wi-Fi enabled Smart Lock at its best price yet!Installing it is easy and works with most existing deadbolts, but the biggest advantage to a product like this is not having to use the darn key in the first place: you can set it to unlock when your phone is in range of your home 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network and, for an extra step of security, require on-device biometric authentication (that's facial scan or fingerprint read) before it clicks off. Best of all, this fourth-generation design is 45% smaller than its predecessor and there's no need to fuss with an extra hub device.
If you've ever forgotten your house keys or accidentally locked yourself out, you've surely wished for another way to get back in the door that doesn't involve breaking a window, calling a locksmith, or tracking down that one friend or neighbor that has an extra key. While we're at least 3 years away from living the Jetson's lifestyle, the technology to lock and unlock a door without relying entirely a flat slab of jagged metal does exist. And thanks to the magic of consumerism, you can get a Eufy Smart Lock Touch for 30% off and get just a little closer to futuristic home access.
Get an August Smart Lock plus Lenovo's Smart Clock Essential for just $250 ($80 off)
Lock it and clock it
Misplacing your house keys is always a scary thing. One way to avoid going through that experience is by upgrading to a smart lock. Right now, Best Buy has an August smart lock and keypad combo on sale for just $249.99 — and it'll throw a free Smart Clock Essential from Lenovo into the deal for a combined savings of $80.
Secure your home with Eufy's Smart Lock Touch for $160 ($40 off)
It's Bluetooth-enabled and comes with a keypad
Smart door locks add a whole new level of convenience to your home, enabling you to give access to workers or temporary visitors and also preventing you from having to carry your keys around. Unfortunately, they're usually quite expensive, and since we're talking about home security, you don't necessarily want to go with the cheapest option. Thankfully, the Eufy smart deadbolt, which is well-rated and backed by phone accessory maker Anker's expertise, just dropped to $160, $40 less than its usual price.
Eufy's new Bluetooth smart lock is already down to $100 ($50 off) with promo code
This will help you get a handle on your door — in some cases, literally
Your door lock is all mangled up and now, every time you're stepping into your house, you've gotta make your key dance just to hit the right hammers. Time to replace it, right? Why not smarten it up with a Bluetooth-enabled deadbolt and keypad? Eufy's new Security Smart Lock, which came out just under 2 months ago, is $50 off right now with an on-page coupon and a promo code.Of course, nothing works if the deadbolt can't hold itself together and Eufy — a subsidiary of phone accessory maker Anker — claims it's able to up to 1,122 kg of weight, weather resistance (IPX3), and temperatures as extreme as 70°C to -30°C. The Security Smart Lock works solely on Bluetooth, not Wi-Fi, so that it arms itself based solely on whether a paired device is nearby. The keypad, which runs on two AA batteries and lasts up to 12 months, stores your keypad PIN with AES-128 encryption.The lock is compatible with lever handles, so if you've been meaning to replace that knob, well, here's your chance.
August's newest and smallest smart lock is on sale for $219 ($31 off) on Amazon
It runs on Wi-Fi and doesn't take up precious space with a Bluetooth hub
Who needs metal keys when you can have a memory full of PINs anyways? Well, people aren't exactly rushing to replace the hammers atop their deadbolts with smart locks for one reason or another — price may be chief among them. You, though, can take advantage of a sale on August's fourth-gen Wi-Fi Smart Lock for $31 off.The lock got its launch back in May as August's least burdensome system yet with no need for a dedicated Bluetooth hub as with other locks and a smaller unit itself, measuring in at 45% the mass of its Smart Lock Pro. Installing the August Home app will let the lock know when you're about to come home or head out and automatically arm or disarm itself. It can also be programmed with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, IFTTT, and even Airbnb.
Nest x Yale and August locks can now be controlled from the Google Home app
The app also includes improvements to smart lights and switches
Read update
Last week, an update to the Google Home app started rolling out with a bunch of new features in tow. Chief among them is the new dark theme, a new security camera feed, and improved controls for Android 11's power menu integration. More changes have popped up now, though these are governed by a server-side switch and are thus slowly appearing for users.