Apple Stops Selling iPhone-Connected Smart Locks from August and Kevo
Over the course of the last week, Apple appears to have ceased selling two popular smart lock products in its retail stores and online. Neither the August Smart Lock nor the Kwikset Kevo Wireless-Enabled Deadbolt Lock are listed on Apple's website, but both were still for sale on November 13.
The August Smart Lock and the Kwikset Kevo are both Bluetooth-enabled locks that allow users to unlock their doors using their iPhones. It is not clear why Apple has decided to stop selling the locks, but it could be in an effort to highlight only products that offer HomeKit compatibility. The Kwikset Kevo and the August Smart Lock are not HomeKit-enabled products and cannot be used with other HomeKit devices.
While Apple is no longer selling the Kwikset Kevo or the August Smart Lock, it is selling the Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt, another smart lock that does offer HomeKit compatibility. The Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt is in fact the only locking product that offers HomeKit integration thus far. August has debuted a second-generation product that includes HomeKit integration, and when that begins shipping to customers, it's possible Apple may continue offering the August Smart Lock in its stores.
Apple has also pulled the Belkin WeMo switch from its online store, suggesting it may be ceasing to offer several home-connected products that are not also offering HomeKit to avoid confusing its customers.
Apple sells quite a few HomeKit products in its retail stores and online, offering devices from Ecobee, Philips, Elgato, Lutron, and Schlage.
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Top Rated Comments
However, the Schlage can be unlocked via 4 methods, Using the App on your iPhone, using Siri, Using the keypad on the deadbolt itself or using the actual key that comes with it (regular key, you can make duplicates at the hardware store).
If the battery dies (they're supposed to last one year), the first three methods won't work, but the key will always work, like a traditional deadbolt.
I also like that it doesn't have proximity unlock, because I don't trust these devices to be able to figure out if the iPhone that's in proximity is INSIDE the House or OUTSIDE. What if it's inside the house near the door and the house is locked? Anyone can unlock the door by just trying the handle? I don't know.. Anyway, Schlage isn't like this which was a bonus for me. And seeing as the Schlage isn't a true IoT device, the chances of getting it hacked are practically none since it doesn't communicate with the outside world like something like the Ecobee3, Nest products, etc.
Finally, everything inside the house is working beautifully for me, so I know it's really the connection to the outside via the Apple TV / iCloud / Network and a lot of other unknowns and uncontrollable aspects.
I just wish the kevo plus was cheaper. $70 additional to the locks for remote lock/unlock is a bit steep.
Edit - I have been using the locks for about 8 months (since mid April, 2015).