STACK #225 July 2023

TECH FEATURE

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If you’re ready to invest in the future of locks, we’ve pulled together a few options for all budgets that more than cover the brief. Unlocking your options

Eufy Security Wi-Fi Smart Lock This smart lock proves you don’t have to break the budget to be in the game. Wi-Fi connected for total remote access, it offers PIN code access, an

auto-lock feature to lock the door behind you if you have your hands full, and can be fully integrated with Google Assistant and Alexa. You can even use a standard key!

For thousands of years, doors have been locked and unlocked with a form of mechanism utilising a key. Now, history has indeed been left in the past as more and more people turn to smart locks. Words Bec Summer

Eufy Security Wi-Fi Smart Lock Touch A Wi-Fi and Bluetooth lock compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa

I t sounds like technology lifted from the pages of an Arthur C. Clarke sci-fi novel - a front door lock is opened by a fingerprint or a PIN code. But that future is now, and smart locks have become an effective tool for our busy modern lives. What is a smart lock? In short, a smart lock is a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi (sometimes both) enabled lock that can be operated using a PIN code, a fingerprint (biometrics), a smartphone app, or even your voice! How do they work? All brands have a companion app, and this is the smart lock nerve centre. The app contains many features where users can lock or unlock the door, issue temporary PIN codes for tradespeople, assign separate codes for visiting relatives or the dog walker, and set up geofencing so that the door unlocks automatically when the user is in proximity. The features on a Bluetooth-enabled smart lock can only be accessed when the smart device is within range of Bluetooth connectivity. However, if the smart lock is connected to the home network via Wi-Fi, the user has complete control of the lock – and its features - whether they’re in Melbourne or Manchester. Some smart locks require a bridge to connect the device to the home network, while others have Wi-Fi built into the unit. Most are powered

with a rechargeable battery, and battery life can be monitored via the app (typically, low-power warnings will be sent as a notification). And many feature a hidden traditional key slot and/ or a micro USB port for a battery pack should the lock need temporary power to open. What are the benefits? First and foremost, it alleviates the need to carry a key and eliminates the possibility of forgetting or losing it. And you don’t have to worry about locking yourself out or hiding a key under the plant pot. The door can be unlocked remotely to let a friend in, and custom codes can be assigned for temporary visitors. Automatic unlocking through geofencing and voice activation offers convenience for hands laden with shopping or children, and users can monitor who comes and goes through the app. Some smart locks even include a built-in camera to check who’s at the door. And if you leave the house without remembering to lock the door, a Wi-Fi-connected smart lock can be remotely locked through a smart device with a sweep of the finger. Are they difficult to install? Most smart locks have been configured to fit existing locks, so if you – or someone you know – are familiar with the basics of a toolbox, installation shouldn’t cause too many issues.

voice control, the durable Touch has

multiple locking options, including PIN code, smartphone, and the convenience of a fingerprint scanner. A sensor will automatically lock the door behind you when it detects that it's closed. The rechargeable battery has a purported 365-day life span.

Eufy Security Video Smart Lock

Providing an overall security solution, this well-designed smart lock offers all the smarts through the lock. It combines it with a doorbell and, crucially, a 2K camera that works equally well at night. Unlocking options include a touchpad, a mobile app, voice control, a key, and fingerprint identification will get you through the door in just over a second. And to prevent constant annoying notifications on your smart device, the AI will differentiate people from animals and tree branches.

42 JULY 2023

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