Hampton Products International today announced plans to introduce its first HomeKit-enabled product under its Brink's Home Security brand, debuting the Array digital deadbolt. The Array is a cloud and app-enabled digital door lock that can be unlocked via an iPhone.
Designed to connect to an existing Wi-Fi router, the Array digital deadbolt does not require additional hubs or accessories, resulting in a simple installation process with a single screwdriver. It also uses a unique power management system that consists of a battery combined with a photovoltaic panel that's able to power the lock from indoor and outdoor lighting sources. With this power system, the Array does not require battery replacements or charging and is able to last for multiple years.
As with most smart door locks, the Array connects to an iPhone using an app, which is able to provide functions like temporary door keys and tracking. The app can be used to open the door, or it can be opened with a touchpad or traditional key. HomeKit integration allows the door to be opened with Siri voice commands and it allows the lock to integrate with other HomeKit products.
"When we began development of Array over two years ago, we started with the premise that a connected deadbolt shouldn't be complex or inconvenient for homeowners to use. Our goal was to provide a highly secure, digital deadbolt homeowners could rely on without needing to purchase additional equipment or connect through a gateway hub. We selected Wi-Fi because of its ubiquity, and worked with development partners to build a power management solution into the Array deadbolts that won't require frequent battery replacements or home rewiring," said Jim Hartung, executive vice president, Hampton Products.
The Brink's Home Security Array Digital Deadbolt will be available for purchase starting in late 2016. It will be available in multiple finishes, including satin nickel, Tuscan bronze, and polished brass. Information on pricing is not yet available.
Top Rated Comments
Of the ten or so burlaries that have affected me, my family or my neighbours, none have been via lock picking and I very much doubt they would have been via hacking had there been smartlocks on the doors & windows. Burglars break doors and windows, or get in through doors what weren't locked.
These smart locks (or maybe future iterations) would probably have deterred or curtailed half of the above burglaries, either by alerting the owner to an unlocked door, allowing remote locking, locking the doors automatically at night, or alerting the absent owner to a violent impact on the door.
I'm not saying this lock sends such alerts, but that's where we're headed. Imagine a lock which send an alert to your phone if somebody so much as even touches the handle. Thats upping the risks for would-be burglars quite considerably.
#1 - Does your Motor have a wifi logo on it? If so, you can already connect it to the internet, no money or equipment needed. Check the manufacturer's website for directions. I wasn't so fortunate to have one of these.
#2 - Does your Motor have a MyQ logo on it? MyQ is a protocol that numerous motor manufacturers have agreed to so that their accessories and whatnot can be compatible. We the consumers win. Unless yours is Genie, because they're a bunch of buttholes and haven't added MyQ compatibility to their products.
Anyways, if you have the MyQ logo, you can buy a bridge for $30. I got a Chamberland branded one from Home Depot. The process is: plug it into your router and power. Create an account on their website. Enter the serial number that's on the bridge on the website. Press the learn button on the website. You now have 5 minutes to press the learn button on the motor. And you're done. You can now login to your account from anywhere with an internet connection and see the status of your garage and control it. You can also set it up to send you alerts if you forget to close it or something.
#3 - If you don't have a MyQ logo or Wifi logo, there are kits for most other motors that have you replace the button mounted on your wall with something that can connect to the internet. Those cost $50 for kits that are entirely build it yourself or closer to $200 for kits which are already assembled and just need you to wire them up to your motor.
MyQ was introduced in ~2010. If your motor is newer than that and not Genie, you probably have MyQ. If your motor is older than that, you probably don't.
My front door is behind a porch, and it's dark in the porch the whole day, so...
On the one hand, I want the toughest possible door lock that can withstand a small tank *Tim The Toolman Grund* uagh uagh uagh.
On the other hand, all the windows including the one right next to the door can easily be broken with pretty much any hard object, so the strength of the lock is pretty moot. Further, getting the kind of glass that resists breaking from thrown bricks (tempered or reinforced) is super expensive.
The only conclusion I've come to is that whatever lock I get, it must be stronger than my neighbors' locks. :-D