Unlock Your Smart Phone's Front-Door Powers

Locks and keys have served us well for centuries. But they tend to be associated with problems, too. For example, what if you’d like to let someone in, but you’re not home? What if you get locked out? And what if you’d like to know who is in your house and when?

Below you'll find three brand-new solutions that solve existing problems and end inconveniences associated with old-fashioned front-door locks and standard metal keys.

KeyMe App » Replacing a door lock with a fancy smart-phone-controlled lock is a nice idea. But physical keys do have a practical side. They don’t require batteries, an Internet connection or even a functioning smart phone. They can be hidden, shared and used by anyone. But how do you copy your key when you don’t have access to the original?

A new company called KeyMe has an innovative solution. Use its free iOS app to take a picture of your key. Once you've done that, a duplicate can be made by a local locksmith or ordered by mail through the app. The app works because locksmiths need to know only the type of key that’s being made and the biting code, which specifies the depth of the notches.

The company is also installing key-making kiosks at 7-Eleven, first in New York. It envisions a future in which you can get locked out of your house, then go to the local convenience store to print out a new key.

Just don’t forget your phone when you get locked out.


August Smart Lock - $199 » The August Smart Lock is a door lock that uses your smart phone as the key. It’s not actually a lock, but a device that fits over your existing lock. It connects to your phone via Bluetooth and is controlled through the August app.

One benefit is convenience. Rather than your having to remove your key (or your phone) from your pocket and manually unlock the door, the August senses your presence and simply unlocks it for you. It also chimes to let you know for sure when the door is locked.

You can also share your key feature when others have the app. You can even put a time limit on exactly when the key will work. It keeps a log of who enters and leaves the house.


Goji Smart Lock - $245 » Like other smart-phone-controlled locks, the Goji Smart Lock keeps track of who comes in and goes out. But it also takes the logging feature one step further by taking a picture of whoever is at the door and sending it to your iOS or Android phone, whether you’re home or not. If you want the person to come in, you can unlock the door from wherever you are.

Like the August and a few other comparable products, the Goji lets you text your key to others and set up the times those keys will function. Unlike some other products, the Goji works with a Bluetooth key fob, similar to a wireless car key, which can be given to children or others without smart phones.

Goji also comes with service — if something goes wrong, just call the company and a staffer will try to remotely lock or unlock the door. If it can’t, the person will send a locksmith to sort it all out.

Whether one of these or some other smart-phone-augmented key system is best for you, it's clear that innovation is knocking at your front door.

More keyless home entry ideas in the Houzz Home Tech section

URL: Unlock Your Smart Phone's Front-Door Powers http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-21313.html