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Touch-screen door lock offers high-tech security

Arrow Revolution Touchscreen Deadbolt is handy if you're always losing your keys. It's also impressive for that postprandial let-me-show-you-my-etchings part of a date.

Tim Hornyak
Crave freelancer Tim Hornyak is the author of "Loving the Machine: The Art and Science of Japanese Robots." He has been writing about Japanese culture and technology for a decade. E-mail Tim.
Tim Hornyak
 
Arrow Lock

My apartment dates from the 1920s. Fortunately, the lock is somewhat newer. But it's a joke compared with this touch-screen dead bolt with voice command. It's kinda like KITT for your door.

The Arrow Revolution Touchscreen Deadbolt is handy if you're always losing your keys. It's also impressive for that postprandial let-me-show-you-my-etchings part of a date.

Once you enter one of 25 access codes that can be stored in it, you can lock others out from the inside for privacy. There is a key override for emergencies, though.

The Revolution has voice-guided programming in English, Spanish, or French. Too bad it doesn't talk to strangers who come a-knocking.

The simple, weather-resistant touch screen sits in a housing that can be added to a standard, prepared door in less than 15 minutes. Batteries last about one year.

The Revolution Touchscreen ships in July and is expected to sell for about $250. There's also a push-button version for less.