At CES 2015, smart home company August unveiled the August Connect, which is a device that will provide the company's previously released August Smart Lock with a sustained connection to the Internet.
The Internet connection that will be provided to the August Smart Lock will enable users to access the device remotely, and will also integrate it with the user's other smart home devices.
August Smart Lock users can plug in the August Connect into an electricity outlet within their home, connecting the device to the wireless network of the house and to the Internet. Once the connection is established, several features are activated, including the ability of users to remotely check the status of the August Smart Lock and to operate it using the corresponding mobile app on either an Android or iOS smartphone or tablet computer.
One use for the feature would be to allow people such as guests and service providers entry into the home remotely, while at the same time being able to monitor the integrity of all the locks.
"With August Connect, August is expanding the range of functionality for our users, delivering new experiences around secure, intelligent access to the home," August co-founder and CEO Jason Johnson said.
Johnson added that August Connect adds more functionality to the August Smart Lock, which already has Bluetooth connectivity that allows it to fully function even while offline.
The company also announced the release of August's private API, which allows the August Smart Lock to work with trusted partner companies in the industries of home security and home automation.
The new API, along with August Connect, allows users to customize a secure and enhanced entry and exit procedure within their homes in conjunction with third-party gadgets.
August also revealed that its smart lock is now able to work in partnership with Nest, allowing users to set the Nest Learning Thermostat to switch to Home mode once the doors of the home are unlocked, ordering the device to immediately begin cooling down or warming up the house depending on the temperature. The Nest device can also be set to switch to Away mode once all the doors of the home are locked.
Other smart home platforms that August devices will now work with include Logitech Harmony and SmartThings.
August Connect will carry a price of $49.99 for pre-order through the company's website, with the device to be delivered in the middle of February.
