Got a gift card for the holidays, but don’t know what to spend it on? We’d suggest adding a smart lock to your connected home. Best Buy’s deal on the August Smart Lock Pro is a good one and not much more expensive than what we saw over the holidays. At just $179 , you’ll save $101 over the normal retail price.
Impatient and want it now? You may be able to pick it up today. While some of our local stores were out of stock, most had enough of the silver version on hand to be able to guarantee pickup within an hour (if you’re looking for the black version, however, you might need to order it — availability is much more sparse there).
Best Buy’s deal also includes the August Connect Wi-Fi Bridge, an accessory that allows your Smart Lock to connect to other smart home devices via your Wi-Fi network. While you can get a cheaper version of the Smart Lock without it, we strongly recommend the Pro version as a smart lock is not as useful without some connectivity.
With that connectivity, you can use services like IFTTT to connect your lock to other smart home devices in your home, for example, turning on the lights in your home when the lock is disengaged, and so forth. The standard version limits you to using the August app to lock and unlock your doors, which we find a bit disappointing (and which is why we recommend the Pro instead).
The Pro version also includes both Zigbee support and, more importantly for Apple fans, HomeKit support. The standard Smart Lock has neither. It also has a smaller footprint overall (it replaces the deadbolt lock dial on your door), making it easier to mount in some cases, depending on where that lock is located.
With this impressive price cut, the August Smart Lock Pro is a better deal than ever for people looking to upgrade their home security and adopt additional smart home technology. Don’t wait too long, however, we’ve seen this price jump by as much as $20 to $30 over the past few days with little if any warning.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.
With AI progressing so fast, it's only a matter of time before we start getting AI companions like the ones we used to see in movies like R2-D2, Wall-E, or Baymax. Now, Singapore-based OKA Technology has unveiled Mori, a cute little AI companion that looks less like a conventional home robot and more like someone turned the Pokémon Foongus into a table lamp.
Mori isn't meant to clean your house or control your smart home, but to serve as what OKA calls a "Nature Companion." It uses subtle movements, warm lighting, nature-inspired sounds, and small reactions to make its presence around the house feel calming rather than distracting. Mori can sit quietly while you read, sway along to music, welcome you when you enter a room, or encourage you to slow down for a moment without requiring a screen or a conversation.
Quick Recap: Life with twins and a pile of bottles