CES 2014: Kwikset’s Kevo Will Soon Offer Remote Locking, Unlocking Capability
by Brent Dirks
January 9, 2014
Kwikset’s Bluetooth-enabled Kevo will soon be receiving some nice upgrades that will make the smart lock system even more useful.
At CES 2014 in Las Vegas, the company announced that it will unveil a Bluetooth gateway for the product sometime this summer. It will allow current and future users to lock and unlock their door remotely from anywhere with the free, companion iOS app.
In the near future, the iPhone app will also provide real-time notifications to users when the door is unlocked by touch, a key fob, or even a traditional key.
You can purchase the Kevo now for $219 from Amazon.com. Buyers can select from a brass, nickel, or bronze finish to better match their existing door hardware.
The system, which officially landed for sale back in October, uses Bluetooth 4.0 technology. If a lock recognizes the paired device or keyfob, users simply need touch the lock to open the door.
It’s powered by a set of 4AA batteries that should last for more than a year with normal usage. And even if the batteries do happen to go out, a key can still be used.
No word on what the Bluetooth gateway will cost when it hits the market. But that addition makes the entire system much more of a complete package that should better compete against other options like Lockitron.