Kwikset has introduced a trio of new smart locks at CES 2019 this morning. Halo is a Wi-Fi-enabled model while the lower-cost Aura features Bluetooth. Today’s news comes on the heels of Apple highlighting various HomeKit-enabled locks from Kwikset and others. Head below for more details on the latest out of CES in Las Vegas.
Kwikset delivers Wi-Fi Halo smart lock at CES
The new Halo smart lock from Kwikset leverages Wi-Fi to connect to the internet without the need for additional hardware. However, its lack of Bluetooth means that popular standards like Z-Wave or Zigbee are now out of the equation. There’s no word yet on any HomeKit compatibility, but yesterday’s focus from Apple does give us hope.
While Wi-Fi does open up a whole new world of connectivity and other features for Halo, there are some concerns. Most notably, battery life. Most locks on the market today leverage Bluetooth LE as a means to connect smartphones and other devices to the built-in radio. That allows those locks to stay online with just a few AA batteries. Wi-Fi naturally uses more power, which may cause a problem. Kwikset is promising at least six months of run-time out of the gate.
Halo will sell for $199 with a traditional keyboard or $229 with a touchscreen on-board. The Halo is expected to ship in the second half of 2019.
Aura lock offers a lower-cost alternative with Bluetooth
Meanwhile, the new Aura Bluetooth smart lock is set to retail for $149 later this year. While Halo offers anywhere connectivity thanks to Wi-Fi, Aura will be limited to local connections with Bluetooth-only. There may be an opportunity in the future for Kwikset to release a Wi-Fi to Bluetooth bridge, but no plans have been formally announced.
Both models will have the usual host of smartphone-enabled features, including the ability to create one-off keys for guests. Customizable alerts and entry-tracking will both be available as is typical within this product category.
Be sure to keep it locked to our CES 2019 guide for all the latest news and product releases out of Las Vegas.
Source: Kwikset
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