Gate is a smart lock with an integrated video doorbell

[Shawn Knight]

Internet-connected doorbells and smart door locks have been readily available for a while now. While the two products are distinctly different, they also loosely file under the same category in that they’re accessories for your home’s entryway.

Running with that idea, a team of engineers from Google, Sandia National Lab and Qualcomm quit their jobs a few years back to develop an apparatus that took the strengths of each product and rolled them into an all-encompassing smart home accessory.

Gate, which recently wrapped up an Indiegogo campaign that managed to raise 291 percent of its funding goal, is a Wi-Fi-connected smart deadbolt-style lock with 256-bit encryption that can be opened with a physical key and controlled remotely from a mobile device or computer.

There’s also a keypad entry system should you happen to forget your key and don’t have your phone on hand or if you want to grant other people temporary access to your home (think Airbnb). Gate can even send notifications to your phone each some someone unlocks the door.

What’s more, the smart lock features a motion-activated 720p camera with two-way audio that also serves as a doorbell. This functionality essentially eliminates the need for a smart doorbell system.

From inside the home, the lock can be opened and closed simply by spinning a dial. The lock runs on a rechargeable battery pack that should last about four months between charges. In the event the battery dies while you’re away, you can simply use the physical key to get inside. That likely won’t be a problem, however, as the lock will send push notifications a few days in advance telling you that the battery is running low.

Gate’s Indiegogo campaign wrapped up late last month although it appears as though you can still back the project. You’ll need to part ways with at least $274 for the deadbolt, a savings of $25 off the retail price. Early backers should receive their rewards in March 2017 barring any unforeseen hurdles.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/67236-gate-smart-lock-integrated-video-doorbell.html

 

[Kunming]

Yeah let's make a WiFi-enabled lock, because it's not like internet-connected things have been hacked before right? I'm sure all manner of thieves will be gushing at the immense user-friendliness that comes standard: nice little inter-ceptable notifications of when the lock is nearly out of power! Sweet.

 

[Uncle Al]

My nasty little dog is less expensive, keeps away the bad guys and the rotten kids, and won't be hacked by anything less than a Ruth-Chris 18 oz filet, which isn't going to easily fit under the door!

 

[BSim500]

Connecting your front door to the Internet is probably the lamest "security" device I've ever heard. Please just stop hyping this "Internet connected security" junk when real security lies in keeping critical points of entry well away from the Internet.

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

Well this little gimmick will never work here. It will have been stolen within 2 hours, max, and the thief will be knocking on your door trying to sell it back to you within 3 simply because he didn't know what he stole, neither did his fence. It just looked very enticing and pricey.

 

[Capaill]

Will it send you a notification telling you it has just been stolen?

 

[Phr3d]

As someone who read the article, I'll look closely once I see a couple reviews - @300 it's a bit precious, but the motion-cam for anyone who approaches it, 256bit wi-fi only connectivity to app, stainless, key and 2-way communication IS a lot in one device (uhhh, which is a Deadbolt, have you installed one? I'll WAGer stealing it is definitely not in anyone's ability, particularly when you're on live cam even Looking at it, lol).
Longevity is a worry, of course.