Kwikset Kevo 2nd Gen Bluetooth Smart Lock (2016) Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET
Tyler Lizenby/CNET
Pair the Kwikset Kevo Bluetooth Deadbolt with your phone or with a keychain fob, and you can unlock your front door just by tapping on it. It’s a cool, convenient, one-of-a-kind smart lock, and we liked it a lot when we first tested one out back in 2013 — but a vulnerability to a very specific kind of brute-force attack kept us from recommending it outright.
Now, three years later, Kwikset is back with a second-gen Kevo. Save for a smaller, sleeker interior design, it looks largely the same as before, but Kwikset is promising a host of subtle improvements — including easier installation and better defense against those kinds of brute attacks.
At a retail price of $229, the second-gen Kevo costs $10 more than the original Kevo did back in 2013. That’s the same price you’ll pay for the newest version of the August Smart Lock, so it looks like we’ve got a bit of a smart-home showdown coming to your front door.
We’ve already installed a second-gen Kevo at the CNET Smart Home, and we’ll have a full review in the coming weeks — including a look at how it holds up to the sort of torque attacks that defeated it before. For now, here are our first impressions.
The inside half of the second-gen Kevo is noticeably more compact than before.
Tyler Lizenby/CNET
Smart, subtle tweaks
The new Kevo isn’t much different than the old one. You’ll still pair it with your Android or iOS device, then touch the lock when you want it to open. If the Kevo detects your phone in close proximity outside the door, it’ll flash green, unlock and let you inside. You can still control it remotely using the app whenever you’re in Bluetooth range, and you can still pair it with the optional Kevo Plus Bluetooth-to-Wi-Fi plug-in bridge accessory if you want to control it from anywhere. From outside of your house, as before, the Kevo Kwikset second-gen still looks like a normal, everyday dumb lock.
The Kevo app does a nice job of walking you through the setup process. All you really need is a screwdriver and a tape measure.
Screenshots by Ry Crist/CNET
The key differences (sorry) are on the inside. Most noticeable among them: the interior design, where the battery housing is much smaller than before. It’s also a full metal enclosure now, an upgrade from the first Kevo, which had a plastic housing. There’s also a new screw that you can tighten to lock the interior housing shut — that’ll help prevent people from opening the lock and resetting it.
Kwikset worked to make the installation easier, too. You’ll still find a helpful, step-by-step walkthrough in the Kevo app, but now it’s beefed up with interactive graphics, animations and videos. Inside, the two halves of the lock now connect using a single wire that’s less finicky than before. The separate calibration process — an annoying but necessary part of the setup last time around — is gone now: the second-gen Kevo will automatically calibrate itself.
You can manage users and view each lock’s activity history in the Kevo app for Android and iOS devices.
Screenshot by Ry Crist/CNET
App-enabled entry
Something that bugged us last time around was that Kwikset charged $1.99 for each “eKey” you created to allow someone else to unlock your Kevo. That’s roughly as much as you’d pay to make someone a copy of your key, but it still felt pretty stingy, given that an eKey is really just an email from Kwikset that grants a user permission to access your lock in the Kevo app.
Three years later, Kwikset handles eKeys a little bit differently. They come in three types: Anytime eKeys, Guest eKeys, and Scheduled eKeys. Like the name suggests, Anytime eKeys will work indefinitely until you revoke access — you get two for free, and then you’ll pay $1.99 for each one after that.
Guest eKeys are just Anytime eKeys that only work for 24 hours, then expire. You get as many of those as you want for free.
Scheduled eKeys come with optional schedule restraints — you can give them an expiration date, or restrict them to work only on certain days or at certain times. They cost $1.99 each.
That’s a step in the right direction, but still, it’s disappointing that Kwikset sees fit to charge you for the luxury of using the luxury smart lock you already spent hundreds of dollars on. Full user management should be a default smart lock feature, not a pay-as-you-go add-on.
Kevo has also added some notable third-party smart-home integrations since last time around. You can sync it up with the Nest Learning Thermostat or with the Honeywell Wi-Fi Thermostat to trigger your HVAC system as you come and go. It’ll also work with the Ring and Skybell HD video doorbells, letting you use the phone to unlock the door for people who need to get in.
Let’s talk about the lock
Like with the first Kevo, the deadbolt at the heart of the lock is Kwikset’s SmartKey deadbolt, which comes with a special tool that allows owners to re-key the lock without need for a locksmith.
As far as security, the SmartKey deadbolt has a lot going for it. For starters, it uses a patented horizontal slider in place of the traditional key and pin tumblers, which means that would-be thieves can’t get in by “bumping” the lock. It also passes UL 437, the most stringent test against lock picking conducted by the independent researchers at Underwriters Laboratories. Even security expert Marc Weber Tobias, a vocal Kevo critic, told us that the SmartKey deadbolt was nearly impossible to pick.
Kwikset claims the Kevo’s SmartKey deadbolt is stronger than before.
Josh Miller/CNET
Tobias was the one who identified the SmartKey deadbolt’s vulnerabilities to brute-force torque attacks in 2013. No single lock is going to prevent someone from breaking into your home if they’re determined to do so, but we were concerned with what Tobias found, since it’s a SmartKey-specific attack that relies on common tools like a screwdriver and a hammer. When we tested it for ourselves, we were able to use the technique to successfully bypass the first-gen Kevo in less than a minute.
Now, Kwikset tells us that the SmartKey deadbolt in the second-gen Kevo is an updated model — and the company assured us that the same bypass technique won’t work this time. If that’s the case, it’ll be a legitimate security upgrade, and a useful addition to the lock’s existing protections against picking and bumping.
Of course, with smart locks, you have to consider security against hacking and other cyber threats, too. Kwikset deserves some credit here. A recent investigation into Bluetooth lock security found flaws with several smart padlocks and deadbolts, including the August Smart Lock (a hack we were able to verify). Despite their best efforts, those same researchers were unable to hack the Kwikset Kevo at all.
Outlook
Kevo’s unique touch-to-open approach sets it apart from other smart locks and makes it a tangible convenience upgrade for your front door. On top of that, Kwikset’s approach to handling eKey access, while still not ideal, seems easier to swallow than last time around. If it works as reliably as last time and also performs better against brute force attacks, it could be the new smart lock to beat. We’ll have the full verdict from the CNET Smart Home after we’ve had some more time to test it out.
How to use Google Cast in Chrome
Google Cast is now integrated into Chrome, making it easier to stream content to Cast-aware devices.
After two years, the Google Cast protocol has shed its beta tag and is now fully integrated into Chrome. Google launched the Cast extension as a way of connecting Chromecasts and Cast-enabled Android TVs to Chrome, but with today’s native integration you no longer need the extension to stream content from the browser to other devices.
Websites that support Google Cast — Netflix, YouTube, Plex, Google Play Movies and Music to name a few — now feature the Cast icon, allowing you to send content to your Chromecast, Chromecast Audio, or your Android TV with ease. Even if a website isn’t Cast-ready, you have the ability to cast a particular tab or your entire desktop by heading into Chrome’s settings. You can also stream the contents of your desktop to Hangouts.
The feature has existed in the dev builds and beta channel for some time now, with rollout commencing on the stable build in July. Now that the Cast option is fully integrated, all users running Chrome 52 and above can natively use the protocol to stream content.
How to cast to your Chromecast or Android TV from Chrome
Navigate to the Chrome settings menu located in the right corner of the browser.
Select the Cast button.
Select the Cast-aware device to which you want to cast content.
If you want to cast a particular tab, click on the arrow next to the Cast to field.
Select Cast tab if you want to cast a single tab to your Chromecast device, or use Cast desktop to stream your entire desktop.
Pick the Cast-aware device to which you want to cast content.
There are a few features that don’t work as of now. For instance, if you’re trying to cast your desktop through Chrome on Mac or Chrome OS, you won’t hear any audio:
Note that you can only cast your desktop audio from Windows. If you cast your desktop from a Mac or Chrome OS computer, you’ll see the contents of your screen on your TV but won’t be able to hear any audio from your computer.
You can also cast content quickly through the right-click context menu in Chrome. Just right-click anywhere on a tab and select the Cast option to start streaming content.
Google mentions that over 38 million casts have been sent from Chrome in the last month, with over 50 million hours of content streamed using the protocol. Do you use Google Cast to stream content to Chromecasts or Android TVs?
Save $60 on a Pebble Time right now!
Right now you can grab a Pebble Time for just $90 at Amazon, a $60 savings from its original price. Whether you are looking for a replacement of your current Pebble, or wanting to try a smartwatch out for the first time, this deal is one you won’t want to miss out on. The Pebble Time is the first smartwatch with a color display from Pebble, and it offers amazing battery life, awesome new health tracking features, and much more. You can check your notifications from your wrist, use voice commands and of course see what time it is with ease.
The Pebble Time is available in red, white and black currently at the discounted price. We don’t know how long this deal will last, so if you are interested you’ll want to act quickly.
See at Amazon
Go Time! Episode 7: Analyze like Blanche
Episode 7 of Go Time has arrived!
Go Time returns for episode 7 with a member of Valor, Mystic, and Instinct to talk about everything going on in the world of Pokemon Go. Jen, Russell and Erin were all here to talk this week about the big new addition to the game, the appraisal feature. We also shared our favorite catch of the week, and then delved into the rapidly growing world of fanart for the Pokemon Go world. Last but not least, we also talk about how banning cheaters may have had an impact on the number of users playing the game.
Every week we’ve got more to discuss, so we hope you’ll start to join us!
- Google Play
- Soundcloud
- iTunes
- Or add us to your podcatcher of choice!
You can also join our Facebook page to keep up on all things Pokémon Go. See you in the world!
Pokémon Go
- Join our Pokémon Go forums!
- How to deal with GPS errors in-game
- Which team should you choose?
- How to play without killing your battery
- The Ultimate Pokémon Go Game Guide!
- Listen to the Pokémon Go podcast!
Samsung Galaxy S8 to have dual camera like the iPhone 7 Plus
With Apple’s iPhone 7 launch scheduled for next week, not only is it an exciting time to be an Apple fanboy, but there’s plenty for those who prefer Android to mull over too.
Android fans will undoubtedly be keeping a beady eye on proceedings to see if there are any features on the new iPhones that don’t exist on their handsets; the rumoured dual camera, for example, with two sensors that combine for better photos.
That’s hotly tipped to appear on the iPhone 7 Plus, but Android lovers shouldn’t look on with jealous eyes. Samsung is now also tipped to adopt similar technology with its flagship phone for next year.
We’ve previously heard murmurings on a similar line, but the latest rumour about the Samsung Galaxy S8 reinforces that it too will have a dual rear camera, with 12 and 13-megapixel sensors combining to provide images with greater depth of field and professional-style bokeh effects.
- Samsung Galaxy S8: What we want to see and what’s the story so far?
It will also have an 8-megapixel camera on the front, it is said, so will take fantastic selfies to boot.
Considering that the phone is also reported to come with a 4K display, it could very well be the handset to beat in 2017.
Of course, at this early stage you have to take everything with a pinch of salt. The source for the dual camera news is a Weibo poster who runs SamMobile China, so that adds a tad more weight, but so much can change before next spring.
One thing you can rely on is that we’ll keep you up to date until then.
Sonos now controllable via Spotify app, Amazon voice control coming 2017
Sonos, the wireless multi-room speaker system, has confirmed that it will soon allow users to have full control of their system via the desktop and mobile Spotify app. It also announced it would be adding voice support via Amazon’s Alexa powered products, such as Amazon Echo or Dash.
The two announcements made ahead of IFA in Berlin, will allow Spotify users to completely bypass the dedicated Sonos app, along with bark music requests via the Amazon Echo device from anywhere around the home.
On the Spotify front, the new Spotify/Sonos app will deliver a similar experience already available to Spotify Connect users. Users will be able to play music directly from the Spotify app to any specific Sonos speaker, as well as select multiple speakers, allowing them to create grouped speaker zones.
The two companies say they’ve worked closely together to ensure the experience is “seamless”.
The collaboration also means users will be able to control their Sonos system away from the home. That could be perfect for users who have Wi-Fi “blind spots” in the home, or as Sonos suggests, allow users to have the music playing before they walk into their home.
The company will release a beta of the new feature in October, with a roll out thereafter. Sonos has said that it is also hoping to be able to offer a similar experience through other music services in the future.
Amazon
In terms of Amazon Echo, Sonos says that all users will be able to control their music by using an Amazon Echo-enabled device from early 2017.
Available as a software update to existing and new Sonos users, music lovers will be able to ask what’s playing, pause a track and select which Sonos speakers to play to via the Amazon Alexa service, without having to pick up a device like an iPad or smartphone.
Subscribe to SelectTV, the world’s largest entertainment library, now up to 54 per cent off
Hulu and Netflix might be solid streaming services, but they can’t provide you with cable’s top networks.
That’s why there’s SelectTV. Bringing the best of cable and web-based streaming together, SelectTV boasts the world’s biggest library of shows, movies, TV networks, and more. Plus, Pocket-lint readers can save big on subscriptions for a limited time.
Normally £47.52, a 1-year subscription to Select TV is on sale for only £25.08 ($19 USD).
Select TV lets you access a colossal library of shows, movies, radio stations, and even live channels from over 150 countries, and it’s all done through its simple browser interface. Easy to set up, SelectTV connects to your home through Google Chromecast or a simple HDMI cable, and it’s compatible with any device.
With SelectTV, you not only get access to thousands of shows and movies, but you also get to enjoy over 1,000 curated channels with the latest episodes from top networks. Plus, you can watch the latest TV and box office hits with Select TV’s Pay Per View service. What’s more, you even get access to thousands of radio stations from across the world.
SelectTV also offers a complete calendar of live events, sports games, and more, all streamed live from the web. Whether you’re hoping to follow your favorite sports team or tune into a live concert, SelectTV has your viewing covered.
For a limited time, Pocket-lint readers can take nearly half off their SelectTV subscriptions. Get a year for £25.08 ($19 USD) or three for three for just £64.68 ($49 USD).
Mophie’s cheapest battery packs yet start at just $30
There are two things Mophie has always been known for: Delivering attractive mobile cases and battery packs that fit right alongside Apple’s aesthetic, and making you pay a premium to own its products. That all changes with the company’s next batch of mobile battery packs, which are up to 50 percent cheaper than their previous models. They’re still sleek, but of course, Mophie had to make some manufacturing tweaks to lower its production costs. Now instead of being encased entirely in metal, they’re sandwiched between two pieces of aluminum.
As with the company’s last Powerstations, they’re basically just bricks for connecting your own two USB cables and charging whatever device you want. The svelte new 3,000 mAh Powerstation Mini goes for just $30, compared to $60 for the previous cheapest model (though that one came with a 4,000 mAh) battery. That’s big enough to recharge most Android phones completely, and it’s almost two full charges for the iPhone 6S. The 6,000 mAh Powerstation, meanwhile, sells for $50 instead of $80 like the last model.
Rounding out the selection, the 10,000 mAh Powerstation XL comes in at $70, while the 20,000 mAh XXL is $100. And if you’ve got a newer Android phone with USB-C, you can opt for the 10,000 mAh Powerstation USB-C model for $100.
If you’d rather have a built-in cable, Mophie’s new Powerstation Plus line starts at $60 for the 4,000 mAh version. Instead of having separate models for micro-USB and Apple’s Lightning connector, all of the revamped Powerstation Plus packs have swappable tips to flip between those two standards. And for people who bought Mophie’s Charge Force wireless charging cases, there’s a 10,000 mAh Powerstation with that technology integrated for $100 as well.
It’s hard to get excited about portable power packs these days, but it’s heartening to see a premium brand like Mophie seriously rethinking its prices.
Samsung launches first Exynos chip with all radios built in
Samsung has revealed a new chip that could have a ripple effect on its high-end smartphones, and will make IoT devices and smartphones for developing markets faster, slimmer and cheaper. The quad-core 7570 is the first Exynos chip to have all wireless tech, including Cat.4 LTE, WiFi, Bluetooth, FM and GNSS (GPS), built in to a single chip. It has 70 percent more performance and uses 30 percent less battery power than its predecessor, with everything squeezed into a 20 percent smaller package.
The chip can also handle signal processing for up to 8-megapixel front and 13-megapixel back cameras, Full HD video, and a WXGA screen (1,366 x 768 resolution). Samsung was able to pack all that in by using 14-nanometer manufacturing for the first time on a budget chip. So far, that’s been reserved for its higher-end processors, including the top-of-the-line Exynos 8890.
Though the latest chip isn’t that interesting, performance-wise, it may have a ripple effect on the high-end market. While Exynos chips like the 8890 have similar performance to rival Snapdragon models, they have limited LTE and CDMA (3G) options. That’s mainly why it still uses Qualcomm chips in US versions of its flagship Galaxy S7 and Galaxy Note 7 models. If it can squeeze more radio options into next-gen flagship processors, though, it may be able to wean itself off of its rival’s tech.
In addition, Google wants $50 Android One smartphones for the developing world, but as we found out, there are a lot of compromises to building one at that price. Samsung’s Exynos 7570 might not go into devices that cheap, but it shows that packing in more functionality via smaller transistors is likely the best way to build cheap phones that are still decent.
Source: Samsung
Sonos opens up: Spotify Connect and Amazon Echo control is coming
As much as Sonos is known for high-quality connected speakers, it’s also built up a reputation for lackluster software and a closed ecosystem. And that’s getting harder to live with as alternative platforms like Google’s Cast (formerly Chromecast) are flourishing alongside smart partnerships (see Vizio’s recent TVs) and inexpensive devices like the Chromecast Audio. So to course correct, Sonos announced today that it’s opening up its platform to Spotify Connect, and it has also kicked off a “long-term strategic collaboration” with Amazon to integrate Echo voice control with its speakers.
The Spotify Connect support will be particularly useful for anyone who’s grown tired of Sonos’s software. You’ll be able to control the company’s speakers from within any Spotify app. You’ll even be able to get music playing across multiple rooms, since all of your Sonos groups will appear inside Spotify. The Sonos app will also recognize the songs Spotify is delivering, so if your friend is streaming a song you’ve never heard, you’ll be able to add it to your library easily.
The Amazon Echo integration works as you’d expect. You can ask Alexa to play music on specific Sonos speakers, and if an unfamiliar tune pops up in a playlist, you can also ask what is actually playing. You’ll have to wait a while to marry Sonos and Amazon’s Echo, though. The integration will be available in private beta later this year, but it won’t reach general users until 2017.
As for other updates, you’ll soon be able to control your Sonos speakers even when you’re away from your home WiFi network. That’ll let you get the party started a bit early on your drive home from work (or at least easily annoy your family or roomates). Sonos is also joining the Open Music Initiative, a non-profit group dedicated to open sourcing access to music. That’s a big sign that the company will open up its platform even more down the line.
Developing…
AIVAnet 