Yale’s Google Home smart lock arrives with higher price due to tariffs
▼ Summary
– The new Yale Smart Lock is designed for Google Home and Matter but works with multiple platforms like Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings due to Matter-over-Thread connectivity.
– The lock’s price increased slightly due to tariff and production costs, but its features remain unchanged from the initial announcement, replacing the discontinued Nest x Yale lock.
– Available in white, black, and gray, the lock offers 12-month battery life, faster response times, and multiple control methods, including keypad, key, and voice commands via Google Assistant, Alexa, or Siri.
– Unlike the Nest x Yale lock, the new model lacks integration with security systems at launch and does not include an auto-unlock feature, though it has a keyway and push-button keypad.
– The lock can be set up directly in the Google Home app without the Yale app but requires a Matter controller and Thread border router for full functionality, with Bluetooth control available via the Yale Home app when in range.
Yale’s latest smart lock for Google Home arrives with a higher price tag, driven by tariff-related cost increases. The device, built for seamless integration with Google Home and Matter, offers cross-platform compatibility with Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, and other major smart home ecosystems. Despite the price hike, its core features remain unchanged from earlier announcements, including support for Matter-over-Thread connectivity for faster response times and extended battery life.
The Yale Smart Lock with Matter comes in white, black, and soon gray, matching Google’s Nest doorbells, and replaces traditional deadbolts with a modern touch. Unlike its predecessor, the Nest x Yale lock, this model lacks integration with security systems at launch, a surprising omission given Yale’s partnership with ADT. However, it introduces a backlit push-button keypad and a physical keyway, catering to user preferences for multiple access methods.
Thread-based connectivity ensures smoother performance compared to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth locks, with a claimed 12-month battery life on four AA batteries. Users can control the lock remotely via the Google Home app or voice assistants like Google Assistant, Alexa, and Siri. Notably, Google confirmed voice PIN unlocking through Assistant, adding an extra layer of convenience.
While the lock works across Matter-supported platforms, Google Home users benefit from deeper integration, including customizable access codes, activity logs, and live doorbell-linked controls. Setup is streamlined within the Google Home app, eliminating the need for Yale’s proprietary software, though a Matter controller and Thread border router are required for full functionality.
One trade-off is the absence of auto-unlock, a feature available in Yale’s Assure 2 line. The design also leans heavily toward Google’s aesthetic, lacking the brushed metal finishes of earlier models, which may disappoint those upgrading from the Nest x Yale lock. Still, for users invested in Google’s ecosystem, the lock delivers a secure, versatile, and future-proof smart home solution, albeit at a steeper cost.
(Source: The Verge)
