Unlocking the Future: Yale’s New Google Home Smart Lock Launches—Find Out Why It Might Cost You More!

The new Yale Smart Lock with Matter is set to hit stores soon, priced at $189.99. This price jump of $20 since its original announcement reflects the impact of tariffs. You can find the lock available on Amazon and Yale’s website.

This smart lock was designed for Google Home and Matter, making it compatible with Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, and other smart home platforms. Catelyn Herman, a senior product manager at Yale, noted that the increase in price is tied to rising product and tariff costs.

The Yale Smart Lock boasts a sleek design and will be available in white, gray, and black. It promises a solid battery life of up to 12 months with just four AA batteries. The Matter-over-Thread connectivity allows it to respond faster than traditional Wi-Fi or Bluetooth locks.

You can operate this lock in several ways: through a backlit keypad, with a physical key, or remotely via the Google Home app. Voice control is available with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple’s Siri. Jesse Stroh from Google Home mentioned that you can unlock the lock using a voice PIN code.

However, unlike its predecessor, the Nest x Yale Lock, this model doesn’t integrate with any specific security systems at launch, which surprises some users given Yale and Google’s past collaborations with security firms like ADT.

The Yale Smart Lock also allows for user-friendly management of codes, including guest access with scheduling options. Users can receive lock activity notifications through the Home app. While it works on other platforms, Google Home users will find the best experience with this lock.

Recent trends show a growing interest in smart home devices, especially after reports indicated that 35% of U.S. households now own at least one smart home device. The push for seamless connectivity among these devices reflects a market eager for integrated security solutions.

Though the smart lock offers various control options, it lacks an auto-unlock feature available in some of Yale’s other models. The inclusion of a physical keyway, however, reflects user preferences based on Yale’s research.

Setting up the lock is straightforward, as you can do it directly in the Google Home app without needing the Yale app. However, it does require a Matter controller and a Thread border router to function fully, especially within the Google Home ecosystem.

For those without these, the lock can still be controlled via Bluetooth using the Yale Home app, but only when you’re nearby. There is an optional Yale Wi-Fi Connect bridge available for $90, though some may prefer investing in broader solutions like the Google TV Streamer, which combines Matter hub functionality with streaming capabilities.

As the smart home market evolves, consumers will appreciate devices like the Yale Smart Lock that provide convenience and integration, though they may have to adapt to design shifts and functionality changes compared to older models.

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