Philips just launched a slew of new products, headlined by the Philips Home Access 5000 Series Palm Recognition Smart Lock. The device works not just with a physical key, PIN code, or Philips mobile app, but also with the built-in palm scanner — making it one of the most futuristic smart locks of 2024.
According to Philips, the scanner works by tracking “unique palm vein patterns,” making it nearly impossible to hack and offering families an ultra-secure way to lock their front door. Setup is just as easy as most other smart locks, thanks to built-in Wi-Fi so you can get up and running without the need for a secondary bridge. It also works with voice commands via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
As an added bonus, the 5000 Series Palm Recognition Smart Lock is equipped with a doorbell button and chime. Having a doorbell on a smart lock might be confusing for guests, so the button will glow when visitors are nearby to help them figure out how to alert the homeowners. When the button is pressed, it’ll send an alert to the included doorbell chime — which can be plugged into a standard electrical outlet and features five volume levels plus 38 unique melodies.
There’s a lot of functionality packed into the Philips Home Access 5000 Series Palm Recognition Smart Lock, and that makes it a bit larger than other smart locks. It’s still a good-looking device, though it’s not quite as streamlined as models like the Yale Assure Lock 2.
Along with the 5000 Series, the Retrofit Lock 3000 Series is also available, which is a retrofit smart lock that can be controlled with an available wireless keypad or through the mobile app. Beyond smart locks, Philips launched the 7000 Series Video Doorbell, which captures 2K footage, supports HDR for enhanced colors, and uses both low-angle and ultrawide viewing angles to eliminate blind spots.
All three products are now available for purchase, with the Philips Home Access 5000 Series Palm Recognition Smart Lock costing $360. The Retrofit Lock 3000 Series is available in two formats ($260 when bundled with the Wireless Key, $220 as a standalone lock), while the 7000 Series Smart Video Doorbell is $230. All three launched into crowded markets, with competitors like Yale, Arlo, and Ring offering similar products. But with unique features and striking designs, the new products are nice alternatives to the existing options.
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