August adds Siri keep an eye on For smart Locks, far flung home get right of entry to

August, probably the most first makers of sensible locks, introduced these days a services and products program that makes it easy for licensed delivery and restore representatives to enter customers’ properties. the corporate also introduced a Siri-enabled model of its lock and a pair of recent equipment.

Unveiled in 2013 and launched remaining 12 months, San Francisco-based totally August’s good lock worked from the idea that even though customers wanted with the intention to control their locks from their phones by the use of Bluetooth, for security reasons they did not want the locks available by way of the web.

Over time, August known that some customers did want internet control, and previous this year released a Wi-Fi-enabled accent that supplied far off access. Now, the corporate, based via Jason Johnson and world-famous industrial designer Yves Behar, is betting that the ease of with the ability to order products or equipment repairs and not having to fret about being home to accept deliveries or meet carrier reps will attraction to many existing and would-be clients.

With the launch of its August get entry to program, the corporate has partnered with an initial dozen companies, ranging from Sears to Postmates to Shyp, each of which will have the ability to send personnel to customers’ houses with one-time-only access. It plans on speedy including to the listing of partners, and Johnson stated that delivery corporations—which he didn’t identify but clearly embrace UPS, FedEx, and the U.S. Postal service—would be the “holy grail.”

the corporate additionally mentioned today that it has a new version of its lock that contains HomeKit, Apple’s related dwelling communications standard. the new lock, in an effort to sell for $229, will permit owners to use Siri, Apple’s voice keep an eye on gadget, to open their door with the iPhone linked to their August account.

August’s HomeKit integration also manner owners can use Siri on an Apple Watch to open their doorways.

the company mentioned it’s shedding the cost of its existing, non-HomeKit-enabled, lock, to $199.

another accessory for the lock is August’s new Bluetooth keypad. Mountable inside about 30 toes of the lock, the keypad lets owners assign a novel PIN code to someone, either for permanent or time-based get admission to.

unless now, it was once vital for any individual opening an August lock—either an owner, or an invited guest—to use the company’s cell app. however the keypad makes it imaginable to open the door without the app, meaning that if the lock’s owner unintentionally leaves the phone at home, or a housecleaner or contractor must get in, they only need a PIN code.

The keypad will cost $79.

August’s last new accent is a doorbell cam, which is hooked up to present doorbell wires.

The instrument, as a way to cost $199, has a microphone, a speaker, and a digicam, and permits the lock’s proprietor to look and speak to somebody at their door. If the owner decides the customer needs to get in, they can faucet a button in the August app and remotely liberate the door.

August mentioned the three new hardware units, including the lock, will begin transport over the subsequent month to 2 months.