These days, everywhere I look I see processes and tasks that were once manual, completely automated to meet the needs and demands of today’s technology-driven world. As a techie myself, I usually embrace most of the new and innovative gadgets, but I do hold on to some hesitation when I feel that there may be a measurable security risk. Whether the risk is to personal security or data security, these new gadgets must always consider the reality of our world, and they must include redundant security measures to compensate.
Just the other day, I came across the August Smart Lock that creates a secure keyless entry into your home via an app and also via Bluetooth. Using the app on your phone, you can wirelessly lock and unlock your door. You can also set the app to lock and unlock your door once you are within a predefined proximity. This can be great if your hands are full of groceries or other items, but dangerous if a stranger walks up behind you just as you reach your door.
The capabilities of this lock also allow you to grant temporary access, which would work great for guests or “known” repair people. If you have folks in your home that keep losing their house keys, the August Smart Lock could be a good option. Installation is very easy since it installs right over your existing deadbolt lock. It also works with Alexa for added versatility.
You can purchase the August Smart Lock at Amazon for $148.
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Nest has finally added a smart door lock to their connected-home lineup. Nest says: “Yale knows secure locks. Nest knows the connected home. Together, we’ve made a tamper‑proof, key‑free deadbolt that connects to the Nest app.” Our local Best Buy had one of the Nest x Yale locks in stock, but it was the wrong color, so I ended up ordering one directly from Nest. It was delivered quickly, and I installed it today.
Installation of the Nest x Yale lock took me about 10 minutes, including removing the existing lock. It worked on the first try. Of course, the deadbolt lock is battery operated, and it came with its first set of four AA batteries. The lock doesn’t connect directly to WiFi, so you’ll need either a Nest Guard (base unit of Nest’s security system) or a Nest Connect unit to connect the lock to your home WiFi network. You can buy the lock with or without a Nest Connect included in the package.
Once installed on your door, you add the lock to your Nest app, and then you add unlock codes. You can assign codes to each family member, to guests, dog walkers, cleaning services, and others. The codes can be deleted or modified at any time, which makes it easy to give a temporary code to someone. You can also lock or unlock your door from the Nest app on your cellphone from anywhere. The app keeps a list of the times the door was unlocked or locked and by whom, and the app notifies you if someone tries to tamper with the lock. And for extra security while you’re home, you can set a privacy mode that restricts anyone from unlocking the door from the exterior keypad.
The Nest x Yale deadbolt lock is truly keyless – there is no backup key for this unit. You don’t have to worry about a dead battery keeping you out, though. You’ll get warnings as soon as the batteries start to weaken so you can replace them before they die. And if they do die before you replace them, you can hold a 9V battery to contacts on the bottom of the keypad to provide enough power for you to unlock the door.
It’s been on my door for less than a day, but I’m pleased so far with the look and functioning of the Nest x Yale door lock. It’s quiet, attractive, and easy to use and monitor.
You can buy the Nest x Yale lock at various retailers; you’ll get both the lock and the Connect for $279. If you order directly from Nest, you can choose to purchase the lock only for $249 or the lock plus Connect for $279. It’s available in satin nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, or polished brass finishes. Learn more at Nest and Best Buy to order one.
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Today most of the products we use are more secure than ever and security features like fingerprint sensors are commonplace in high-tech items like phones, tablets, and laptops. Now Tapplock has taken that technology and put it into a paddock. The Tapplock one combines today’s technology with unbreakable durability. It’s the padlock reimagined and I got the chance to review one for the Gadgeteer. Let’s check it out.
What is it?
Quite simply the Tapplock one is the world’s first smart fingerprint padlock. It’s available in 3 colors Sterling Silver, Gun Metal, and Midnight Black.
Whats in the box?
Tapplock one
Charging cable
User manual
Design and features
The Tapplock one has a bold and sturdy design. The first thing you notice is that the combo dial has been replaced by a fingerprint sensor and a small power/mode button. Say goodbye to keys and combinations. The lock’s body is forged using Zamak 3 zinc alloy, with a 7mm cut resistant stainless steel shackle, and it has a double-layered lock design with anti-shim and anti-pry technologies making Tapplock one virtually unbreakable. All in all, it’s really a nice modern take on the boring old padlock.
The lock is rust-proof, water resistant up to IP66, and has full functionality between 14 and 140 degrees F. The users manual, however, does point out that “Tapplock one is not waterproof when it is unlocked. Water entered through open socket may cause permanent damage.”
Tapplock uses a rechargeable battery that allows it to run for an entire year per 2-hours charge time (or 3,500 unlocks per charge). It charges using a USB charging cable that magnetically attaches to the locks charging port.
Setup
Setting up your Tapplock is quick and easy, just download the free Tapplock app from the App Store or Google Play. After a quick account setup, which includes entering an e-mail address and a password you will receive an activation code via the e-mail address you provided. Once activated you will be asked to add a new Tapplock.
After the lock has been added you’ll be asked to add a fingerprint. Enter the name of the fingerprint owner, which hand, and which finger you want to be recorded. Then simply place your finger on the sensor and voila you are now ready to start unlocking your Tapplock with your fingerprint.
3 ways to unlock
Not only can you unlock Tapplock with your fingerprint it can also be unlocked with Bluetooth using your phone or Morse-Code by pressing long/short combinations on the power button.
Opening Tapplock with your fingerprint is as easy as it sounds. Push the power button to turn the Tapplock on (Status Indicator light will glow white) then simply place your finger on the sensor to unlock it.Tapplock uses state-of-the-art captive fingerprint sensors that allow unlocking in under 0.8 seconds. You can even store up to 500 different fingerprints to allow access for multiple users.
To unlock your Tapplock using the app push the power button twice to activate Bluetooth mode(Status indicator light will flash blue). Then using the app tap unlock to open the Tapplock. While in Bluetooth mode the app allows you to check Tapplocks battery percentage, edit your fingerprint, and access the lock settings.
In lock settings, you can add a profile pic, name your Tapplock, setup Morse Code, and check for firmware updates.
Morse Code allows you to open Tapplock without using your phone or fingerprint. To setup Morse Code in the app, choose a pattern of short and long presses of the power button anywhere from 6-12 presses long. To activate Morse Code mode press the power button 3x (status indicator light will flash green) then enter your chosen short-long button press code to open the lock.
Shareable wireless access
Using Bluetooth and the Tapplock app you can share & control access remotely to unlimited users. The app also allows you to control the type of access each user has. You can set permanent or limited access, down to a specific date and time. And you can revoke access at any time.
Sharing is easy. Enter the e-mail address and choose a username for the person you want to share access with. That person will then receive an invite via e-mail asking them to download the Tapplock app. Once they set up an account they will be granted access to your Tapplock.
Using the app you can also track and monitor access history. The app will show which user accessed the lock, when they accessed it, and the location. The app even keeps track of fingerprint access.
What I like
Cutting-edge fingerprint technology
It’s water and weather resistant
There are 3 different ways to unlock it. (Fingerprint, Bluetooth, and morse code)
Shareable wireless access
It’s virtually unbreakable
What needs to be improved
Might be a bit pricey for some.
Final thoughts
I’ve been using the Tapplock on the locker at my gym in replacement of an inexpensive combination lock and using the fingerprint sensor really beats having to fumble with the combination dial, especially after a tough workout. I’ve even gotten a few comments and questions about the lock from other guys at the gym. Once the weather here in Michigan turns a little less harsh I plan on using Tapplock on my standalone storage shed.
The Tapplock one is everything you could want in a high-end padlock. It’s water/weather resistant and is virtually unbreakable. Add to that the ability to unlock it via state-of-the-art fingerprint sensor and Bluetooth technologies. The ability to share/control access to multiple users with the Tapplock app and the piece of mind of being able to track the locks access history. And the Tapplock one may be the last padlock you ever buy.
Price: $99.00 Where to buy:Tapplock Source: The sample for this review was provided by Tapplock.
With the AirBolt, you won’t need a key nor a combination to unlock your luggage. AirBolt connects to your mobile device via Bluetooth, so you can lock or unlock it using an app. You can also track your luggage, sound alarms when your bag is moved past a proximity boundary, or sound an alarm to help you find your bag when it’s hidden from view using the app on your Android or Apple phone.
AirBolt says of their lock: “We are officially TSA accepted and we meet relevant legislative requirements for the AirBolt to be flight ready by their standards. The AirBolt also features a timed-Aeroplane mode that turns off the Bluetooth transmitter for a specified period of time. Finally, we are also FCC and CE Certified.”
The travel lock has a rechargeable battery and is weather resistant. You unlock it by pressing a button in the app, but you can also set a backup password to prevent someone from using your phone to unlock AirBolt without your permission. If you make your destination but your luggage doesn’t, “crowdsourced” tracking can help you identify the last seen location of your bag – which could help you help the airline locate your bag.
All these features make the AirBolt a perfect travel lock, but its usefulness isn’t restricted to travel. You can use the AirBolt to lock up anything you need protected.
The AirBolt travel lock is available in a variety of colors for $79.95 from AirBolt.
Smart locks are all the rage these days and once you own one, you’ll find it hard to go back to the old-fashioned key lock. This is the second smart lock that I’ve used and this PIN Genie smart lock has some great features that I’ve never seen or used before. To me, the convenience of unlocking my front door with an app, or being able to give someone a code to get in is a luxury that I don’t plan on giving up…until the next generation lock comes out anyway!
What is it?
Touted as the easiest and most secure way to allow guests, customers or family members to gain access to your property, this smart lock is a great option for use in homes or offices and for people with rental properties. It is a Bluetooth enabled, app-controlled, digital deadbolt that has a peep proof PIN pad with numbers that shuffle after each one is pushed. Even if someone watches you enter your PIN, they will not be able to figure out what it is! Not that I have to worry about this at my home, but in an office, or AirBnB rental it would be great to have. The video below shows the lock being opened without the PIN crazy setting enabled. In this mode, the numbers will be in a different place when the touchscreen is enabled; however, they don’t shuffle each time a button is pushed. I know the touchscreen is difficult to see in the video, but I wanted to show how the screen is enabled by placing your hand over it.
Hardware Specs
It has a single cylinder deadbolt that requires a face hole size of 1 1/8″ and a 1″ latch hole, and works with a door thickness of between 1 3/8″ to 2″. It can be used on either the left or right side of the door. It has a one-inch throw, steel deadbolt and comes with a key to use in an emergency situation should the battery die (even though that shouldn’t happen because there is a battery strength indicator on the app AND there is a 9-volt backup battery socket on the underside of the lock).
What’s in the box?
The lock and parts with the hardware needed to install the lock.
2 backup keys
Manual
Installation
The installation for me didn’t go very easily in the beginning because I didn’t realize I needed to drill another hole in my door. The directions do say that you can use some 3M tape instead of drilling the top hole, but I wanted to do it right, so I got out the drill. Also, the latch bolt mechanism had square edges, and my door had round edges, so I had to have them ground so I could finish the install. All doors are different, and as we all know with any home improvement project, there may be some modifications needed to customize a product for your home. After those two issues were addressed, the install was a snap, and the directions guided me through it with ease. Below is a pic before I did the install, but after the new hole was drilled. In the pic below you can see the bracket that is bolted to the door and the latch bolt sticking out on the side of the door. This is the piece I was referring to that needed to have the corners rounded off on the bracket surrounding the bolt so that it could be set into the recessed area on the side of the door.
Design and Features
The model I received has a Venetian bronze finish, which pretty much looks black to me (see the first pic). It also comes in a satin nickel finish as well. I personally like the design and look of the lock and the touch-screen display is very easy to read, even without my glasses on which is nice. The picture below shows the 4 switches that can be turned on and off to enable the features I’ll describe next.
Switch 1 is Auto-Lock. This feature automatically locks the door 30 seconds after the door is unlocked. This feature is great for those who don’t want to bother to lock the dead-bolt when they leave the house, but a pain in the butt if you are just letting your dog out. I will probably end up disabling this feature because when I leave the house for work in the AM it is easy to just use one click on the app to lock the door when I leave. Switch 2 is the Alarm Mode. You can switch this on or off on the lock, then set the sensitivity with the app. The sensitivity refers to the external activity, ie. someone beating on the door or possibly breaking in, and if this occurs and you’ve enabled this feature an alarm will sound and hopefully scare off the perpetrator before they can enter your home. I set mine to medium, and then to high and the two settings seemed to be identical. You just needed to knock on the door for it to set off the alarm. My door is a bit “jiggly” so that may have something to do with it. See the video below to view my daughter knocking on the door, and then running away completely frightened when the alarm goes off.
Switch 3 is the Audio switch. This just enables the “beeping” sound (you can hear the beeping in the videos) when you push the buttons on the keypad, and when the lock connects to the app, unlocks, or locks it will beep as well. Switch 4 is called PIN crazy. This is the function that this lock is most notable for. It changes the display keypad every time a number is entered so that you never know which of the 4 buttons you will press to enter your code. This is the function that makes it impossible for someone to view, or record you as you put in your code and be able to repeat it and gain access to your property. The video below is filmed over my shoulder as I enter in the code…I challenge you to try and figure out what my code is!
Another great feature is the display keypad switch. That is a switch that is accessed on the inside of the home and allows you to disable the outer display keypad so that nobody is able to enter the passcode and gain access to the property. This would be useful for when you are inside the home and you don’t want any visitors to enter that have the code. Those with an actual key to the lock will still be able to get in, however.
The APP
The app itself is very user-friendly and makes changing the settings or the passcodes a breeze. I use the app to lock and unlock the door via Bluetooth, change the passcode, see the history of who has accessed the lock and assign new passcodes to family members or temporary users. The pic below shows the permission setting in the app and you can see that I gave Gadget Guru access to the lock for 24 hours. When the “share” button is selected, the renter, or whoever the person you’ve granted access to will get an email or text with an access code and directions on how to set up their PIN for entry. This is great for those who can’t be there to let someone in.
Also in the app, there is a feature called “direct entry” which you can choose to enable and that will allow quick access to settings and permissions without having to enter in a password. Most people have security on their phones, and it’s nice not to have to enter another password for the app. There is also a nifty widget you can enable that makes it even quicker to access the lock and unlock feature for your lock.
The pic below shows what the app looks like when you open it. You simply push the green lock button in the middle to unlock the door, then push it again to unlock it. Right below the green button, you can see the battery percentage also and it looks like mine is still at 100%. Through this screen, you can access the settings, give others permission to access the lock, and view the history log off all the people and the different times the lock has been accessed.
Positives
I think the lock is great for an Airbnb or office type situation where you need to monitor the people coming and going on the property. There is a log you can access through the app that lets you see the exact time a person accesses the lock, and how they accessed it as well, ie. which code was used, or if the app was used. I like the fact that you could videotape someone (as you can see in my video) putting in their PIN code and you would still never be able to figure out what the code is. The app is very user-friendly and you can change the code via the app or right on the lock if for some reason you don’t want to or you don’t have access to a phone. Also, I found the Bluetooth range to be very good at about 40 feet!
Negatives
I can see how the installation can be an easy process, but for me, it was not. I had to drill another hole in my door as I only had one with my last deadbolt smart lock. Also, the latch bolt that I had on my door had rounded edges, and the one that came with this lock had square edges that did not fit my door. Luckily I have an awesome man in my life who was able to assist me with grinding the metal edges so that it would fit. These negatives really aren’t directed at the product itself…it’s more to just let you know that with any installation, there can be issues with customization that will need to be addressed. Another negative is with the alarm sensitivity. I did not notice a difference between them, as the alarm goes off if you simply knock on my door (see video above), no matter which setting it’s on. If it’s set to low sensitivity, a simple knock should only cause 2 beeps and as you can see, the alarm went off in medium sensitivity mode with just a knock. As mentioned before, my front door is not tight and tends to move a lot when the deadbolt is in use and occasionally even cars going down the road can make it jiggle. This could be a reason why I don’t notice a difference in the settings.
Final thoughts
I absolutely love this lock. I think the satin nickel finish would look a lot better on my door, but other than that I think the design is wonderful. The Bluetooth range is excellent, it’s easy and convenient to use and I enjoy knowing that anytime I want to allow someone to have access to the home, I can give it to them whether I am there or not. The battery seems to last a long time because, after a month of usage, it hasn’t dropped a bit. I’m still not quite sure if the alarm feature sensitivity is a problem because my door fits loosely, or there really isn’t much difference in the settings. Regardless, I would highly recommend this lock to those with rental property or offices that need to be accessed by different people at different times. You’ll be able to track who is coming and going and have comfort knowing that your property is secure, yet available at all times.
Price: $249.00 Where to buy: Amazon Source: The sample of this product was provided by: PIN Genie
