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August Home’s smart locks now come with a deeper Amazon Alexa integration

By Karl Utermohlen Updated June 15, 2022

August Home — Image used with permission by copyright holder

August Home recently unveiled a trio of smart home security products — two new smart locks and a smart doorbell — designed to improve the safety of your home. The devices come equipped with DoorSense, which August says is an intelligent, integrated sensor that can tell you whether a door is closed.

And now, DoorSense has been added to the August Smart Lock skill for Amazon Alexa, which means you can ask your favorite AI assistant not only if your door is open or closed, but if it’s locked as well. To utilize the new skill, simply say, “Alexa, ask August, lock my door” or “Alexa, ask August if my door is locked.”

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The

August Smart Lock Pro

, which the company calls “the most advanced smart lock on the market,” supports Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and Z-Wave Plus and connects with your smartphone to ensure you are the only person who can unlock the device with a digital smart key.

The third-generation August Home lock includes a Wi-Fi hub and a Z-Wave Plus radio that is compatible with Samsung SmartThings and Wink. The company says that the new Bluetooth chipset has a longer battery life compared to its predecessor.

Forget to completely shut the door when you left for work this morning? The Smart Lock Pro can tell you that. The device connects to the cloud service in order to monitor how long the door has been open, if it opens accidentally, or if it’s forced open by someone else. It

August Smart Lock Pro

.

“With the Smart Lock Pro, we’ve created a lock that gives people total control over their front door in ways that aren’t possible with a traditional lock,” said Jason Johnson, CEO of August Home, in a press release. “Now, people can make sure their door is closed and locked from anywhere. We’re also expanding our offering to include a more affordable lock so everyone can make their door safer and smarter.”

The

August Smart Lock

, which will set you back $149, doesn’t include the Wi-Fi hub, but is a good entry point for consumers seeking to test out smart locks. Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant are compatible with this device, allowing you to lock or unlock your door through voice commands. The lock features a new-generation Bluetooth chip and a traditional door knob design.

The Doorbell Cam Pro will tell you who is at your door in real time with motion detectors — even if you’re not at home. The $199 gadget also has a built-in flood light. Another feature of the doorbell is HindSight, which records any movement that takes place behind your door. The smart technology records these movements, as well as several seconds of footage that took place before any motion was detected. The device is waterproof and retails for $199.

The two smart locks are available now, while the doorbell can be pre-ordered now, and will begin shipping October 10.

Update: August Home adds DoorSense skill to Amazon Alexa.

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Karl Utermohlen

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Karl Utermohlen is a finance and tech journalist with an MFA in creative writing from the University of Idaho. his do Zelda…

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