August's new Smart Lock will integrate with HomeKit

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One year after its entré into the lock industry, August announced the release of three new products: a new smart lock, a keypad and a smart cam . The second-generation August Smart Lock -- HomeKit-Enabled, will be available in the next four to eight weeks for $229, which roughly converted comes to £149 and AU$315. Although August will not concurrently release it internationally, they plan to offer the lock outside the US in the future.

Yes, this is a whole new lock. Similar to Ecobee and other early partners of Apple's HomeKit smart-home effort, August needed to issue a new version of its lock to satisfy the demands of Apple's hardware certification program.

This isn't just a redux of the original with new HomeKit compatibility, though. In response to problems with the old faceplate, the HomeKit-enabled Smart Lock will feature a magnetic grip to hold it in place more securely when you turn it. The company has made other small design changes, such as adding a new pattern to the grip of the lock and a new chrome indicator that shows lock/unlock status. The edges of the lock's body have also been smoothed and rounded a bit so it resembles the shape of a doorknob -- something August doubtless hopes will make it feel more familiar for new users.

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August has assured us that the new HomeKit-compatible lock will work with older August devices, so if you have the original August Connect, then you will be able to remotely access your new HomeKit-compatible August lock. The one exception is where Siri is concerned: While you're in range for Bluetooth connection, you will be able to use Siri to control the lock, but once you're connected to your local Wi-Fi connection, Siri will only work if you have an Apple TV at home. Right now, because Apple is not allowing any third-party products to work as bridging devices between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (that is, the tech which facilitates the iCloud-to-Bluetooth communication that a Bluetooth lock needs), it looks like remote Siri functions will require an Apple TV for the foreseeable future. Even the August Connect can't get you there.

Between Yale's newly announced Linus lock and the soon-to-be released Shlage Sense lock, both Google Nest and Apple HomeKit have significant home-security companies partnering with them. August is jumping in on HomeKit, but especially in light of the Smart Keypad and a price drop for the original Smart Lock to $199, the company seems to still be aiming for a broader range of consumers.