When Yale’s parent company bought August Home last year, it promised to ‘create the future of smart residential doors.’ It is now taking the first step in that direction with two new Yale locks incorporating August technology.
There’s even good news for owners of existing Yale smart locks …
Yale has offered HomeKit-compatible smart locks for some time, but the new models are the first to include auto-unlock, a feature exclusive to August. This allows a deadbolt to automatically open as you approach, using Bluetooth authentication and a powered motor.
Engadget reports on the new models.
The two new models are the Assure Lock SL, which is a touchscreen keypad, and the Assure Lock Touchscreen that also has a regular key access. The look of the new locks look a lot like the Nest x Yale models, which makes sense since they’re made by the same company. The difference here, of course, lies in the software. Instead of having to depend on the Nest ecosystem, it uses its own August system. This means that these locks also now have Auto Unlock, an August-exclusive feature that unlocks the door automatically thanks to Bluetooth authentication.
These Yale locks are also compatible with the August Connect WiFi Bridge, so you can remotely control the locks even when you’re out of the house. Plus, the new Yale locks are compatible with the August system that creates smart codes for Airbnb guests.
That might be annoying if you’ve recently bought a Yale Assure lock – but the company promises that you can upgrade them with an August connection kit, albeit at a price.
Both new locks, and the connection kit, will go on sale next month. The Assure Lock Touchscreen will sell for $279, the Assure SL for $299 and the connection kit for $129.
Using the same model name for both versions seems a recipe for confusion, especially as the current model is still on sale.
You can check out our review of the existing model here and in the video below.
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