New devices & apps in the world of keys and locks

Nov 13, 2013 by

Often one of the first things you do after you move in, (or even on the day you take possession) is change your locks.

You would think that much like the wheel there isn’t much new under the sun. Here are some new cool tech options for getting in and out of your home or apartment.

If you can’t be at home and want a mover to do a physical onsite, you can provide the salesperson with a temporary code to do a physical walk through. Occasionally on the day of the move, the mover will get to your new home before you do. You can have the crew start unloading by unlocking remotely with an app, or with a temporary code on an electronic lock. You will usually need to be present at the beginning or end of a move to sign paperwork. If as part of your move you have that one piece going 200 miles away on another day, don’t spend hours driving just to turn a key. There’s now an app for that or a new piece of tech.

  • key.me  1-888-380-0394 / support@key.me a new NYC based startup. You can scan your physical keys with an app and store it in the cloud for free. If when you get locked out, you can go to a kiosk (currently in Manhattan only) and have a new key, keyed right there. They call it a digital keychain, but basically it’s on demand printing from the cloud for your keys in a local kiosk for $20 vs $200 for a locksmith visit. You can also make a copy you physically have in hand at the kiosks for under $6 or if you wait they will mail you a copy of your key for $4 to $7 or even allow you to have a locksmith make a new key with the saved data for $10. This could be useful for agents showing homes and apartments. If the agent is near a kiosk uptown and the key is at the office downtown. You can have your new key in 30 seconds. Not even a double rush NYC bike messenger can beat that time.
Share scanned keys

Share scanned keys

  • lockitron.com hello@lockitron.com With the internet and an an app you can now (almost) be like Captain Kirk walking onto the bridge of the Enterprise. The lockitron attaches to the inside of your door and physically turns the deadbolt. You can have it unlock the door as you approach it or lock and unlock it anywhere in the world. 9 for preorder in Fall 2013. Great for airbnb landlords and real estate agents. If you can’t be at home and want a mover to do a physical onsite, you can unlock the door for the salesperson to do a physical walk through when they arrive at your door.

  • Electronic Locks You can rekey your lock, or install anew lock and deadbolt. There are some new smarthome tech options and techie non internet connected options at you local home improvement store. You can use a push button access with different codes, or a fingerprint scanner. There are non internet connected devices and they run on batteries in case of a power outage. 100 choices at Lowes prices range from to 0. 126 choices at Home Depot prices range from $70 to $500.

 

 

Iris home connect tech at lowes

Iris home connect tech at lowes

Iris home automation choices at Lowes Home Improvement center

Iris home automation choices at Lowes Home Improvement center

 

Of course there are many other uses for this technology such as letting in a repairman, or babysitter, or absent minded significant other.

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