Ecobee is integrating good locks into its app. The corporate doesn’t make good locks of its personal, however now you can management Wi-Fi-enabled ones from Yale and August utilizing the Ecobee app. The function may forestall you from switching apps to let somebody who rings your good doorbell in. Nonetheless, it’s locked behind a subscription, so consumer comfort isn’t the one motive right here.
The mixing provides an “unlock” button from the Ecobee app’s reside view. So, you’ll be able to let guests in from the identical display screen the place you verify it’s somebody you need coming inside. (Helpful!) The Ecobee app additionally means that you can lock your doorways routinely if you arm your safety system. (Additionally helpful!)
Much less helpful: You’ll must pay as much as get pleasure from these perks as a result of the function is locked (ahem) behind Ecobee’s Sensible Safety system. The premium service prices $5 month-to-month or $50 yearly. And as The Verge notes, it gained’t allow you to unlock your August or Yale gadgets from Ecobee’s good thermostats.
This may very well be a handy perk when you’re already paying for Ecobee’s subscription service. If not, you’ll should ask your self if it’s price a premium to keep away from the oh-so-grueling process of pulling up your telephone’s app switcher to leap to a different smart-home app.