| Cult of Mac

Get your home security on lock with this smart, app-controlled deadbolt

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Check your door from your iPhone with this smart lock.
Lock your door from your iPhone with the Bosma Aegis.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Do you ever arrive at work and have that little panicky moment where you’re unsure if you locked the door? Do you go back? Call a neighbor? Hope your autopilot self was responsible today?

Why not just pull out your phone and check to be sure? With the Bosma Aegis, you can control your deadbolt with an app, but that’s not all you can do. For a limited time, the Bosma Aegis Smart Door Lock is only $79.99 (regularly $119) with code SMARTLOCK. If you’re interested, act fast though — this sale only lasts through August 2022.

Aqara offers a third, more-advanced smart lock for HomeKit and Home Key

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The Aqara Smart Door Lock D100 Zigbee works with HomeKit and Home Key.
The Aqara Smart Door Lock D100 Zigbee works with HomeKit and Home Key.
Photo: Aqara

Aquara launched its third and most-advanced smart lock for HomeKit and Home Key on Thursday, the D100 Zigbee.

Unlike the previously released N100 Zigbee and A100 Zigbee, which are handle locks, the new D100 is an automatic mortise lock that lets users open a door without pushing a handle or turning a knob.

It’s expected to roll out in more countries soon, but for now you can get it in parts of Asia and the Middle East. You can find more information about its distribution below.

Eufy’s new fingerprint ID smart lock is also a 2K security camera and doorbell

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Eufy's new smart lock is also a wide-angle security camera and a motion-detecting doorbell.
Eufy's new smart lock is also a wide-angle security camera and a motion-detecting doorbell.
Photo: Eufy

Eufy has a new Kickstarter campaign for what it calls “the see-everything smart lock.” It’s the Eufy Video Smart Lock, a 3-in-1 device that works as a fingerprint-detecting lock, a 2K, wide-angle camera and a dual motion-detection doorbell, the company said.

Now that’s a capable gadget. And it has a substantial price to match. See below.

Aqara’s new smart lock works with HomeKit and Home Key

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With its support for Apple's HomeKit and Home Key, we hope the new Aqara Smart Door Lock A100 Zigbee comes to the US soon.
With its support for Apple's HomeKit and Home Key, we hope the new Aqara Smart Door Lock A100 Zigbee comes to the US soon.
Photo: Aqara

In the market for a smart door lock that works with Apple’s HomeKit automation system as well as Home Keys you can keep in the Wallet app? Look no further than the new Aqara Smart Door Lock A100 Zigbee.

It features support for leading home automation protocols and advanced authentication tech, the company said Monday. Trouble is, you can only get it in Malaysia and Singapore so far, with other countries coming soon.

But U.S. availability? As yet unknown.

Apple Home Services chief leaves after less than 3 years on the job

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Apple Home Services chief Sam Jadallah left his post after less than three years.
Apple Home Services chief Sam Jadallah left his post after less than three years.
Photo: Apple

Apple hired Sam Jadallah in February 2019 to lead its smart home initiatives as head of the Home Services department. Last week, he posted word of his departure on LinkedIn.

Neither Jadallah nor Apple has given a reason for the departure. After two years and nine months on the job, Jadallah wrote:

That’s a wrap with Apple. I’m so grateful for the friendships that will endure and the opportunity to shape and create new capabilities for people and homes around the world. As a corporate exec, investor and entrepreneur, it was a treat to be an entrepreneur within Apple and to create products at scale.

Fortify your doors with reinforced smart locks

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Aura Lock
Upgrade your home security with one of these advanced door locks.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Security is key, whether online or IRL. Thanks to smartlocks, though, secure doors don’t need keys. Install one on your door, and you can enter and exit more securely, using a simple code or even your thumbprint. That’s just what these two smart locks bring to any home or office.

Level Touch smart lock turns your fingertip into a key

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The new Level Touch smart lock opens with a touch -- and other ways, too.
The new Level Touch smart lock opens with a touch -- and other ways, too.
Photo: Level Home

Level Home’s second HomeKit-compatible smart lock lets you use your fingertip as a key. But you won’t even really need that finger tap to open your door. The new lock, called the Level Touch, offers a variety of entry methods — including fully automatic (triggered by your smartphone’s Bluetooth connection when you arrive home).

“With Level Touch, keys are optional,” the company said in a press release Tuesday unveiling the new device. “You can enter and exit in any way that is most convenient for you, with the touch of a finger, using your voice or even an included programmable keycard. All of this while maintaining the highest level of residential security of any smart lock to date.”

Level Lock is an ‘invisible’ HomeKit lock with Apple in its DNA

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A new invisible HomeKit lock called Level Lock works with your existing deadbolt.
Level Lock takes a stealth approach to HomeKit.
Photo: Level Home

A new “invisible” HomeKit-compatible lock means you won’t need to sacrifice fancy door hardware to get smart lock functionality. Level Lock replaces your existing deadbolt’s guts, hiding seamlessly inside your door.

It’s an innovative approach to smart lock design. That’s not too surprising, though, considering Level Home was founded by a couple of ex-Apple employees.

Apple patches HomeKit bug that left smart locks vulnerable

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HomeKit devices
This isn't good.
Photo: Apple

A huge vulnerability within Apple’s HomeKit software has been discovered that potentially could have allowed attackers to gain access to smart accessories like locks and garage doors.

The zero-day vulnerability was reportedly patched by Apple within the last few days but certainly shows that HomeKit might be quite as secure as some users think.