Comparing August Smart Lock Connectivity Options
📷 via August.com
My now-useless 3rd-Gen Apple TV. It still has 1080p, but no more HomeKit utility with iOS 10. Whomp. 📷 via Apple.com.
I have an August Smart Lock HomeKit Enabled (that's the second-generation device and is the one I recommend) and an August Smart Keypad. I want to be able to control my lock and keypad remotely so that I can check to make sure the door is locked, let guests in, and be able to manage the keypad codes, including provisioning temporary ones for delivery or other service people, when I'm not at home. Until iOS 10 came out on September 16, 2016, I did all of that by using an old third-generation Apple TV as a WiFi-bridge for the Bluetooth smart lock.
However, Apple unceremoniously dropped HomeKit support from the 3rd-Generation Apple TV in iOS 10. I'm sure there's some security or cost-to-maintain excuse to justify it, but if there is, Apple hasn't published it. Whatever the case, it's a pain in the arse for me.
Since I used a 3rd-gen Apple TV to support remote management of my August Smart Lock With HomeKit (aka 2nd-gen) this basically broke my setup. I no longer had remote access to my Smart Lock. At all. That's because the old Apple TV was acting as a WiFi bridge for the Bluetooth-using lock.
“If you’re interested in buying a smart lock, the August Smart Lock HomeKit Enabled is the one you should get.”
The Apple TV 4, which DOES support Siri via HomeKit on iOS 10. 📷 via Apple.com
So, what to do? I didn't want to, and still don't want to, go buy an Apple TV 4 to use downstairs with my Smart Lock. There's no TV down there or any other application I could use that Apple TV for. All I need is the HomeKit-enabled Bluetooth/WiFi bridge part. Seems like a waste. Figuring out an alternative has been a challenge, as August not only supports the Apple TV 4 for HomeKit-w-Siri support of the lock on iOS, but also offers it's own bridge device called August Connect. They also offer the August Doorbell Cam which serves as a WiFi Bridge so that you can access and manage the lock remotely.
See what I mean about this being a pain?
I needed a product feature/compatability chart, but August doesn't offer one and I can't find one. I decided to make one using informaiton gleaned from August, my customer service emails with them, and the internet at large.
A few notes about this table and my terminology:
- By "local" control I mean via Bluetooth which means you have to be within 20-40 feet of the Smart Lock for it to work.
- By "remote" control I mean via WiFi which means that you can control your lock from anywhere.
| August Smart Lock HomeKit Enabled | August Connect | August Doorbell Cam | Apple TV 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | The best smart lock out there. | Use this if you're on Android or iOS and don't want a doorbell camera. | Use this if you're on Android or iOS and do want a doorbell camera. | Use this if you want Siri capabilities. |
| Access Lock Via: | Bluetooth only. | Bluetooth or WiFi. | Bluetooth or WiFi. | Bluetooth or WiFi. |
| Remote Management | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| HomeKit Support | ✓ (via Bluetooth only) |
✗ | ✗ | ✓ (w Remote access) |
| Siri Support | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Works with iOS app | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Works with Android app | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Notes | Allows local provisioning of August Smart Keypad. Bluetooth (v4.0 Smart). |
Allows remote provisioning of August Smart Keypad. Bluetooth (v4.0 Smart), WiFi (5Ghz and 2.4Ghz b/g/n) |
Allows remote provisioning of August Smart Keypad. Has Doorbell cam with remote viewing. Bluetooth (v4.0 Smart), WiFi (5Ghz and 2.4Ghz b/g/n). |
Does not allow remote provisioning of August Smart Keypad. Bluetooth (v4.0 Smart), 802.11ac Wi‑Fi with MIMO, 10/100 Ethernet |
Conclusions
If you want a smart lock, get an August Smart Lock HomeKit Enabled.
Now, say you want to extend your lock's features and...
You have an Android phone and you...
Want to be able to access your Smart Lock remotely and don't want a doorbell cam, get an August Connect.
Want to be able to access your Smart Lock remotely and want a doorbell cam, get an August Doorbell Cam.
You have an iPhone and you...
Want to be able to access your Smart Lock remotely, don't want a doorbell cam, and don't want Siri support, get an August Connect.
Want to be able to access your Smart Lock remotely, want a doorbell cam, and don't want Siri support, get an August Doorbell Cam.
Want to be able to access your Smart Lock remotely, don't want a doorbell cam, and do want Siri support, get an Apple TV 4.
Want to be able to access your Smart Lock remotely, want a doorbell cam, and want Siri support, get an August Doorbell Cam and an Apple TV 4.
Regardless, you probably want to add an August Smart Keypad to your lock. They are handy.
Post Mortem
Even after putting all of this together, I still don't know what I'm going to do. This stuff is expensive.
Sources: August.com, Apple.com, August email support