Smart Locks: The Future of Home Security

Smart locks are changing the way we secure our homes. One standout model is the Lockly Visage, part of the Zeno Series, which retails for $349. This lock offers facial recognition, automatic unlocking when you're nearby, and works with Apple Home Kit. The Lockly Visage is not just about looks; it's packed with features. It uses a unique rotating keypad layout called PIN Genie technology. This layout changes each time you use it, making it harder for intruders to guess your code by watching your hand movements or smudge patterns on the lock. The Lockly Visage is part of a lineup that includes other innovative models like the Lockly Vision, which has a built-in 2K video doorbell, and the Lockly Secure Pro Zeno, which has a sleeker design. The Lockly PIN Genie Pro Zeno is a more affordable option with Home Key support. One of the standout features of the Lockly Visage is its facial recognition capability. Many of us are used to facial recognition on our smartphones, so having it on a smart lock seems like a natural progression. However, there are concerns about how the lock uses facial biometric data and the potential for someone to unlock the door with a photo. After installing the Lockly Visage, setting up the facial recognition feature was straightforward. The lock scans your face like an iPhone when you first set up Face ID. Once set up, the lock automatically unlocks as you approach it. The Lockly Visage uses "binocular facial recognition, " which uses two cameras to scan a person's face in 3D, making it harder for someone to fool the system with photos or videos. The system also uses radar detection to detect motion when someone approaches the lock, regardless of visibility. Installing the Lockly Visage is relatively easy, but it has a lot of thick wiring that can be tricky to fit inside the housing. The Lockly app has had several updates since the lock's release, making it more user-friendly. You can add different fingerprints, facial biometric data, or key codes for multiple users, which was initially not possible. Before the Lockly Visage, the Aqara U100 smart lock was used on the front door for a year. The Lockly Visage replaced it, and it feels sturdier with an exterior metal construction compared to the Aqara's plastic one. However, the Visage's deadbolt mechanism doesn't engage and disengage as smoothly as the U100's. The Lockly Visage outperforms the Aqara U100 in terms of accuracy and reliability. It's incredibly accurate at reading fingerprints and its facial recognition is consistently reliable. The lock supports multiple unlocking methods, including facial recognition, Apple Home Key, fingerprints, and key codes, remotely through the app and with a physical key. The Lockly Visage is expensive at $349, but it's likely to be the only smart lock you'll need for many years. Unlike most smart locks on the market, it doesn't use disposable batteries but operates with a removable and rechargeable Lockly battery pack. Each Lockly Visage comes with two rechargeable batteries, so you can keep one fully charged and swap it out when the battery depletes.