Kwikset is back with a lock that opens at the touch of a finger

By now, many different companies have their own takes on smart locks. Everyone is looking for the perfect combination of features, simplicity and security to make consumers comfortable allowing technology to control entrance to their homes. Kwikset is now taking another crack at the smart lock market after releasing a completely keyless smart lock earlier this year. Unlike that lock, the Kevo Smart Lock includes a keyhole in case anyone has to resort to old-fashioned metal keys to get into their home.

That keyhole could be important if someone's smartphone dies. The Kevo Smart Lock relies on Bluetooth to recognize if an authorized person is nearby. Then all it takes is the touch of a finger and the door will unlock. The convenience of this allows homeowners to grant electronic keys to others and revoke them at any time. People can also unlock the door from their smartphone instead of walking all the way to the front door to open it for a guest. What an age we live in.

Of course, just as modern technology brings new conveniences, those perks can disappear if we're left without power. The previous Kwikset smart lock didn't have the option to use a physical key, which meant if the main batteries died, users would have to use a backup 9V battery to open the door. For many users, the inclusion of the keyhole in the Kevo Smart Lock likely increases the appeal of the lock. On the face of it, Kwikset isn't bringing much that's new to smart locks with this new product. Many China manufacturers are making smart door locks using wireless standards and fingerprint scanners. However, the success of products like this relies heavily on implementation. Provided the software is sleek enough and it's simple to share and revoke keys, there could be enough added value here to win over some portion of the market.