Chamberlain’s Smart Lock Secures Doors and Garages from Strangers
▼ Summary
– Chamberlain has announced the myQ Secure View 3-in-1 Smart Lock, a $279.99 device that functions as a lock and a 2K HDR video doorbell.
– The lock uses face detection to automatically lock or unlock your door, requiring users to scan their faces in the myQ app for recognition.
– Advanced features like video saving and detailed notifications require a $7.99 monthly subscription, though basic alerts are available without it.
– The lock can also be unlocked via fingerprint, PIN, mobile app, or physical key, connects to Wi-Fi, and offers a six-month battery life.
– It operates within Chamberlain’s closed ecosystem and does not integrate with major platforms like Apple Home or Google Home, only with select security services.
A new smart lock from Chamberlain integrates a high-definition video doorbell with facial recognition technology to automatically secure your home. Announced at the recent CES event, the myQ Secure View 3-in-1 Smart Lock is priced at $279.99 and is designed to work seamlessly with the company’s existing garage door openers and security accessories. The system uses advanced face detection to lock or unlock your door based on who it sees approaching, aiming to provide a hands-free layer of security.
For the facial recognition to function, household members must first register their faces through the dedicated myQ mobile application. Once enrolled, the device can identify authorized individuals and unlock the door as they approach. More critically, if the camera detects an unfamiliar person, it can automatically lock the door and even command a connected myQ garage door to close. This integration extends to other Chamberlain products like the myQ Chime, Smart Garage Video Keypad, and outdoor cameras, creating a unified security network.
However, accessing this core facial recognition feature, along with several other advanced capabilities, requires a monthly subscription. The myQ Secure View subscription costs $7.99 per month, unlocking video history storage for up to 30 days, customizable motion alerts, and detailed notifications that specify whether an alert was triggered by a person, vehicle, animal, or package. Without a subscription, users will still receive basic motion and lock access alerts, but these notifications will lack descriptive details about what the camera actually saw.
Beyond facial recognition, the lock offers multiple alternative entry methods. Users can gain access via a built-in fingerprint reader, a personalized PIN code, the myQ app, or a traditional physical key. The device connects directly to your home Wi-Fi network, promising an unlock time of approximately two seconds and a battery life that can last up to six months on a single charge.
A significant consideration for potential buyers is the product’s limited compatibility. True to Chamberlain’s closed ecosystem approach, the myQ Secure View lock does not integrate with major third-party smart home platforms like Apple Home, Google Home, or Amazon Alexa. Instead, it is designed to work primarily with other subscription-based security services, including Vivint, Ring, and Alarm.com. This means it cannot be easily incorporated into a broader, multi-brand smart home setup.
The smart lock is currently available for existing myQ system users and is scheduled for a general release to all customers on January 13th. This launch represents Chamberlain’s continued strategy of building a proprietary, interconnected suite of security products that operate independently of the wider smart home market.
(Source: The Verge)
