Gadgetory

August is the first smartlock company to offer Siri Alexa and Google assistant voice control this is great from a convenience standpoint but what about security is it really safe to control a lock with your voice the answer really varies by platform folks using Siri to control their door will need an iOS device with the August lock and apple homekit configured they can then lock and unlock their door either within Bluetooth range or remotely with a fourth gen Apple TV no pin or passcode required that may seem like a potential security problem but again a burglar would have to steal or otherwise have access to someone's phone to control the door on demand Alexa offers a custom and a native voice control skill the native skill phrases are more streamlined since you just have to say Alexa lock the door rather than Alexa ask August to lock the door but you can only unlock your door with the custom skill command since someone could realistically shout at Alexa from outside to unlock the door you need to create a secret code as long as you're careful who you say it around and that it isn't something obvious like 1 2 3 4 you should be fine from a security standpoint Google home customers can't unlock doors via voice control but they can ask the Google assistant to lock the door and for the status of the lock auguste says an unlock voice command is coming later this year while voice control and lock security is important to consider I'd personally be comfortable using any of these August integrations in my home and if you aren't yet sold in a platform you certainly have options with August Siri what's the status of the office door your office door is locked great Alexa asked August to unlock the office door okay can I have your pin code sure it's fun I asked dog is to unlock office door and to update the status would you like me to check the state of the law no thanks good boss okay Google lock the door sure do that you might like August want to give it a try yes sure here's August I'm working on your request to lock off this door would you let me to check the state of the law now okay