Apple Withdraws August And Kevo Smart Locks From Its Shelves

According to an article in Techhive, a tech industry online magazine, Apple have pulled the popular August and Kwikset Kevo Smart Locks from their stores.

Apparently Apple have decided to only include products that adhere to their chosen HomeKit Smartphone platform.

While this may be interesting news for Apple iPhone users and existing owners of August and Kevo products, I think it is not surprising.

Apple is a forward thinking tech giant that offers premium quality products at premium prices and aligning themselves with cheap stuff doesnt really seem an appropriate fit for America's leading company.

We have posted articles about the August Smart Lock and also the Kwikset Kevo in the recent past and we continue to remain totally unimpressed by the products.

There is no doubt that electronics embedded in door locks is here to stay. But the quality of door lock, you choose to have on your home or office can say much about you. Choose wisely.

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Audi, BMW And Mercedes Targeted - Bold Thieves Operating Smash And Grab Pattern

Many car owners feel pretty secure leaving their car keys in a bowl when they get home from work. Yet, statistics show that the increased boldness of thieves to break in while you are home, is increased. According to a recent report in the Herald Sun newspaper, Sgt Ferguson, of the Moorabbin Police force said, "“We’re seeing a trend where people are breaking into houses while you’re there, "

Forget picking locks for a minute.
Burglars know that the most productive method of entry is to smash their way in.
As locksmiths, it is our desire to create the simplest yet secure product meeting our customers budgets.

We offer simple, cost effective products aimed at stopping the "Smash and Grab".

From preventing Door Frame Failure to preventing Glass Breakage we can protect against the smash and grab.

According to the article thieves are targeting Audi, BMW and Mercedes owners among many luxury brands. They lurk nearby waiting to pounce when they see your vehicle. Often these thieves will use your car to cause mayhem.

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Pocket Doors Are The Future Of Building - Maximising Internal Living Space Actually Increases The Value Of Your Home

Our best selling product, the fabulous Lockwood 7444 Keyed Pocket Door Lock, continues to outsell almost any other product in our inventory.

The ease of installation and the smart/modern look, is sought after by many and varying customers across North America.

We are receiving increased interest and orders from builder-contractors too, who sometimes call me and say that they are tired of being "sold to" by an number of supposed "experts", who suggest that their product recommendation is the only choice to solve an obviously simple problem of just securing a pocket door.

The increasing number of property owners who rent out their properties, yet want to keep one cupboard full of their tools and other housing necessities secured from community use. Many are building cupboards that use a pocket door because pocket doors minimize the space requirements often required by typical outward opening swinging cupboard doors (often 9'²). that is 9 square feet of space required to be left empty, just to be able to use a door.

A pocket door saves that space, but often there are few quality products that can secure a pocket door suitably.

Using a pocket door, instead of a swinging door increases the usable living space of a room. In today's competitive housing market, more and more homeowners are seeking to maximize the amount of space inside their homes. Installing pocket doors does just that. It increases the usable living space of rooms in a dwelling. Consequently, more useful living space, adds greater value to a home and it's resale value.

We had mentioned about a temporary price reduction for the Lockwood 7444 Keyed Pocket Door Lock back at the beginning of September and that the price will be increasing around November 1st.
We have continued this discounted price a little bit longer but we will be returning to the old price by the end of the month (probably sooner).

If you are on the fence about purchasing, it will be going back to the original price of $125.00 each very soon, so get on and purchase now to save at least $10.

D&D Technologies Release New Hydraulic Gate Closer/Hinge Hybrid

D&D Technologies, the world leading gate locking system and hinge producer from Australia have just introduced another revolutionary item to their vast range of superior gate hardware and locking systems. The SureClose ReadyFit Closer And Hinge will dramatically improve new or existing gates and how they operate.

Watch the video above to see the simple installation and setting.
This product will work with gates up to 260lbs.
It is for outward opening fittings, which makes it ideal for swimming pool enclosures, especially at country club estates, housing communities, gated communities or anywhere with a communal access swimming pool or gated entry.

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We Are Back - New Posts Coming That Detail Finds from Our Trip Abroad

We return from abroad armed with new information and details about new products, updates to old products and new items that we believe many of our readers will find interesting.

Stay tuned!

Popular Mechanics Article Shares Opinion About New Age Smart-Locks

A new article has appeared today in Popular Mechanics magazine (online - and due to be printed in the October 2015 print edition) giving readers an opinion of the authors feeling about the new smart locks that are being seen across America.

The article, written by popular guest author Schuyler Towne (also an admin at Lockpicking101.com), offers an opinion that is supported by many lock industry professionals, home handymen, DIY'ers, building contractors and any homeowner that has seen the failure of their new prized smart lock.

Schuyler makes a really good point that many residential locks today might look really good, but dont actually improve the security of your home. In fact, the emergence of electronics in many smart locks has forced the manufacturers to skimp a little on the security aspect of these locks, by packing the needed wiring in place of better construction, using battery technology that really hasnt improved since the last century, all in the aim to keep costs competitive.

Like many locksmiths and other industry professionals, Schuyler points out that the age of the mechanical key will still be with us for a great many years to come. Sure, the beauty of being able to operate your entry with your smart phone is appealing (at least until the smartphone battery dies or the lock batteries wear out), but in reality, most of us are still going to be carrying the mechanical key "just in case", no?

Or the ability to give temporary access to the babysitter or the scheduled utility repair-person with a one off access code, certainly does present a part of the appeal factor because you no longer need to give them a key or leave one out under the flower pot, right?

But in reality, leaving out your spare key can open another can of worms. By NOT using a restricted key or key control system.

We do offer some better quality "smart" locks that can be installed with restricted key control cylinders instead of the ones that come with the average lock, that prevents unauthorized duplication.

Of course most restricted key control cylinders are significantly more expensive and can add significantly to your cost, but how much is the contents of your home really worth to you?

How much is your families safety and security really worth, compared to the average smart lock, where almost anyone and their relative can access so easily?

The article appears in the source below.

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A Locksmith In - A New Directory For Locksmiths

A new directory/portal in currently being built for genuine locksmiths to list their businesses and numbers.

The administrators are offering 1 free page that they will design for locksmiths and include a link to their own website.

This will be a permanent record that we hope many locksmiths will avail themselves of.

If you are a locksmith and would like another source to be listed in, for no charge, consider being an early adopter.

We all know that a wider online presence can only help our businesses.

Check out www.alocksmithin.com

Post Revisited - Knock 'N Lock - A Revolution In Access Control Technology

We have the complete parts and price list for this very interesting, yet disruptive technology. While in the video, they say it is tailored to commercial, industrial, government and defense properties, many of their products do find a market in the specialty residential market too.

Knock N' Lock unique access control products have been around a few years now. We first published an article here back in June 2007.

The video above gives a typical scenario where the product can be typically suited. There are, of course many other applications where this product is especially useful.

Essentially, the lock system uses no visible outside keyhole and consequently ensures total access control to authorised remote control users. Yes, you still require to use the especially designed key, but without a conventional keyhole of any kind, surreptitious attack of a conventional keyhole is avoided, significantly enhancing the security of the application.

View the company website in the source below for further details about this superb access control solution.

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