By Todd Bernhard on Fri, 02/05/2016
The folks from Dog & Bone have expanded beyond cases and now offer the LockSmart ($89.95) Bluetooth-enabled padlock. I had the chance to see it at CES and try it at home. The LockSmart has some serious heft and should provide serious competition to traditional padlocks like MasterLock. Of course it has a "smart" advantage, namely the ability to unlock it using the free, simple, and easy to use app I liked that it is "shareable" so you can allow authorized users the ability to unlock it. It's not just for one person and their phone. And you can choose to unlock by Touch ID, tapping the icon or entering a passcode in the app.
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Additionally, the app will send alerts when an authorized user unlocks it or the battery level drops. In fact, that's my biggest concern. What if the power fails and I can't gain access? You need to think long and hard about what you want to protect with the LockSmart. The battery is supposed to last for two years or 3,000 opens, which is a lot, but since it's brand new, you can't exactly test that claim. A LockSmart on your country home that you visit once a year might lose power before you try to access it, if you don't remember to charge it yearly. On the other hand, a locker at the gym would be a short-term use case that makes sense. Just don't lock your phone inside the locker as there is no mechanical backup mechanism.
Pros
- Serious heft
- Simple, easy to use app
- Shareable with authorized users
- Alerts when unlocked or battery levels drop
Cons
- Requires power
- No backup mechanical method
Final Verdict
If you are want a smarter padlock, consider the LockSmart from Dog and Bone. Just be aware of its capabilities and limitations.
