The Keyless Key -- answer to hundreds of years of key-volution

 

Why is the front door, which is probably the most important element protecting my house, the only device still using two hundred year old lock technology?

 

I open my car with a remote then start the car by pushing a button with no key.  I open my garage door with a remote, lock my car with a remote and close the garage with a remote.  Then I get to my front door in the dark and have to fumble for keys and find the little slot to put the key in in the dark. 

 

Then I turn on the lights automatically and switch on my home entertainment system with a remote.  My stove and coffee pot can even start automatically, as can my lights. So what's with this front door key from the middle ages?

 

If I loose my key I have to stand in the cold and spend hundreds on a locksmith. If I want to give the maid or repairman a key I have to meet them or hide it somehere and be a risk that a semi-stranger has my key.

 

Well no more since I found Kevo by Kwikset. This keyless lock is amazing. I touch the lock in the dark and it lights up and unlocks the door!  Locking it works the same way, with a simple touch. 

 

If I want to let someone in while I’m not there I can send a code to their smartphone; the code can be good for just an hour or as long as I want. I also know when they come and go.  No more early outs for hourly workers and no more “forgot to lock the door” fears!

 

The remote touch function works with a fob in your pocket or with certain smart phones such as iphone and Androids with the latest 5.0 lollipop system.  Bluetooth works the magic.

 

Customer service is fantastic. Friendly Kevo specialists patiently walked me through the simple installation and also later updating the software when my Samsung phone updated its operating system. They said I have a lifetime warranty!  Beat that anywhere.

 

One of nice things about the Kevo is that fact that it doesn’t look like anything other than an ordinary door lock.  Let’s face it, it’s probably not a great idea to advertise to the world that your home is filled with technology.  Tons of technology probably makes a home more attractive to a thief.  The fact that at first glance the Kevo looks like a regular garden variety door lock means it won’t attract any unwanted attention.  The Kevo comes in three different finishes so you’re likely to find one that matches your home’s decor.  Installation isn’t difficult and if you’ve already got a deadbolt in place you only need a screwdriver to install it.  Once it’s up and running using the Kevo is a real joy and just another example of how technology can continue to make our lives easier and safer. 

 

One of the coolest features of the Kevo is the ability to send out temporary keys.  Often times we’ll have people that need to gain access to our home when we are not there.  Whether it’s our cleaning team, a painter, the pet sitter or a contractor.  Giving out so many actual real keys probably isn’t a good idea.  The more keys to your home floating around the more chance one might become lost and eventually be found by someone who isn’t meant to be able to access your home.  This scary problem is easily solved with the use of the Kevo.  The iOS application allows you to easily send a person an electronic e-key to your home, and you can make it a temporary key at that.  These keys can be made active or not active at any time and can be assigned and re-assigned to different people over and over again.   The Kevo locks comes with two permanent e-keys.  If you require more than two e-keys you’ll need to purchase additional ones for $1.99 each. But the temporary guest keys are unlimited.

 

Rentals is another great application for these keys.  At the end of the rent term the entry permission can be revoked, like in a hotel.

 

The application also supports push notifications so that when anyone you’ve setup to use your Kevo unlocks or locks it you’ll get alerted right on your phone.

 

You can learn more about the Kwikset Kevo by visiting Kevo.com

by Rob Long, editor