Ecobee integrates smart locks into its app. Although the company doesn’t make its own smart locks, you can now control Wi-Fi-enabled smart locks at Yale and August using the Ecobee app. This feature could prevent people from entering your room by switching apps and ringing your smart doorbell. However, this feature is locked by subscription, so it’s not just for user convenience.
This integration adds an “unlock” button to the live view in the Ecobee app. So you can let visitors in from the same screen you confirm they’re the person you want them to come in. (Handy!) The Ecobee app also allows you to automatically lock your door when you activate your security system. (This is also convenient!)
Not very convenient: This feature is locked behind Ecobee’s smart security system, so you’ll have to pay to take advantage of these perks. Premium service costs $5 per month or $50 per year. Also, as The Verge points out, you can’t unlock your August or Yale device from Ecobee’s smart thermostat.
If you’re already paying for Ecobee’s subscription service, this can be a useful perk. If not, you’ll have to ask yourself if it’s worth paying the premium to avoid the extremely tedious task of firing up your phone’s app switcher and jumping to another smart home app.
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