Ecobee smart home users can now unlock Yale and August smart locks from its app
Ecobee integrates smart locks into its app. The company doesn’t make smart locks itself, but now you can control Wi-Fi-enabled ones from Yale and August using the Ecobee app. The feature can prevent you from switching apps to let someone ring your smart doorbell. However, it is locked after registration, so user eligibility is not the only motive here.
The integration adds an “unlock” button to the live view of the Ecobee app. Therefore, you can allow visitors to log in on the same screen where you confirm that the person you want is logged in. (It works!) The Ecobee app also lets you lock your doors automatically when you arm your security system. (It works too!)
Ease of use: You’ll need to pay to enjoy these benefits because the feature is locked (ahem) behind Ecobee’s Smart Security system. Premium service costs $5 monthly or $50 annually. And as The Verge notes, it won’t let you turn your August or Yale devices on Ecobee smart thermostats.
This can be an easy benefit if you already pay for Ecobee’s subscription service. If not, you’ll have to ask yourself if it’s worth paying to avoid the tedious task of pulling out your phone’s app switcher to jump to another smart-home app.
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