Apple’s HomeKit platform for connected accessories around the house has been steadily expanding over the last few months, and today August is adding to it with a new version of its Smart Lock. Revealed today, the new HomeKit-enabled August Smart Lock is an upgraded version of the Bluetooth-connected door lock that first launched last year. HomeKit compatibility means you can use the Siri virtual assistant on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch to lock or unlock August Smart Lock using voice commands. Working with Apple’s smart home platform also means Smart Lock can be a part of commands like “Goodnight” that turn off connected lights, lock the front door, and lower the temperature.
For example, Philips Hue lights recently shipped with an upgraded HomeKit-compatible bridge and Ecobee 3’s smart thermostat works with Siri commands. HomeKit lets you use voice commands to set each of these accessories to preferred modes with one command. Siri can also tell you the status of August Smart Lock in case you worry you forgot to lock the door or left it unlocked for someone.
Aside from HomeKit support, August says its new Smart Lock features a “modified industrial design with a magnetic faceplate, new micro-patterns to improve grip and rotation of the lock, and a slim, chrome indicator at the top of the device so people can visually see if it is locked or unlocked.”
In addition to the upgraded August Smart Lock with HomeKit support, August is expanding its lineup with a new August Smart Keypad and August Doorbell Cam.
Smart Keypad lets anyone unlock Smart Lock using a passcode when keys and smartphones aren’t available. Smart Keypad also works with one-time auto-generated codes that act as temporary keys. August says its battery-powered and can be installed in about 10 minutes.
Doorbell Cam is both Bluetooth Low Energy and Wi-Fi-enabled and lets you remotely check in with your front door using a “one-way, 140 degree HD video camera and two-way audio” for security. Motion detection automatically captures visitors, and August’s app can be used to livestream any activity. Doorbell Cam owners can receive alerts when activity is detected and communicate with visitors through audio and even buzz in people.
August also announced a new platform called August Connect, which will let partners Sears, Postmates, Doorman, and others work with August Smart Lock in different ways. The new platform launches in beta today.
Customers can pre-order August Smart Lock with HomeKit ($229), Smart Keypad ($79), and Doorbell Cam ($199) from Amazon, Best Buy, and August.com. Apple Stores will carry the new hardware once available. Not interested in HomeKit? The original August Smart Lock now goes for $199.
You can check out our original August Smart Lock review here.
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And, as an early adopter of the August Lock – will August do anything for those of us who have put up with poor bluetooth connection, problematic locks and innumerable failures with the early products?
Buyer Beware!
I have the original locks with the August Connect device for Wifi. I would love a software update or a new connect device to act as a bridge for homekit.
Exactly what I was thinking.
I can’t seem to find any info on how much video the doorbell records and I assume it uploads to the cloud somewhere…
Is the new HomeKit version WiFi or Bluetooth? I ask because the Shlage Sense HomeKit door lock is Bluetooth only. I have many HomeKit devices and the WiFi ones work much, much better. Bluetooth range is limited.