August Locks was one of the trendiest names in home security when it got bought up by a major lock conglomerate last year. Now the company’s popular smart home security tech is making its way into other products. First up, the latest tool to lock up your home from lock maker Yale, the Assure Lock.
The keypad smart lock from Yale has been on the market for a little while, but a new module will allow you to add August’s unique tech to it. The module can be used to modify existing locks, and will also be bundled with the module in stores so you can use the smart home-friendly tech right out of the box.
With the add-on, Yale’s Assure locks will get the full functionality of August’s popular security tech. That includes an auto-unlock feature that will automatically open up the door for you when you arrive home. The feature uses Bluetooth connectivity to allow the lock to recognize your phone and unlock the door for you so you don’t have to fumble with your keys or enter an access code.
August’s module also adds nearly universal support for the most popular virtual assistants, including Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa, and Google’s Assistant. This adds voice control features to the lock that will allow you to take control with just spoken commands. With support for all three major platforms, you won’t have to commit to just one.
The Yale Assure was called the best looking smart lock by Digital Trends, and August’s smart lock was named the best overall and best app, so the combination of the two is hard to beat.
This likely won’t be the last appearance of August’s tech in existing locks. The company is now under the umbrella of Assa Abloy, which owns a big portfolio of lock makers that includes the aforementioned Yale. Most of the companies are traditional lock makers first, so August may help to bring them into the modern era.
Interestingly, some of the major lock makers have downplayed the rise of smart technology in the past, citing the possibility of hackers and threat actors exploiting the tech and bypassing the physical protection a standard lock provides. But now that August is in the fold, you can expect that stance to change pretty quickly.
Outdoor security cameras are not always practical if you live in an apartment or rental. Drilling into an exterior wall may be off-limits, while pointing a regular indoor camera through a window can create another problem once reflections start showing up after dark.
Baseus is trying to solve both issues with the new PrimeSentinel W1, a $69.99 security camera designed specifically to monitor the outdoors through glass. It mounts directly to a window without drilling and uses a 4K Starlight sensor with an F1.0 aperture for full-color monitoring during the day and at night.
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.