Skip to main content

Lockly is bringing Matter and facial recognition to your front door in 2024

The Lockly Visage Smart Lock
Lockly

Lockly makes some of the most intriguing smart locks on the market — including the premium Vision Elite and minimalist Flex Touch Pro — and now the company is gearing up to bring Matter and facial recognition to its lineup. Several new devices were revealed at CES 2024, including a Matter hub that’s backward compatible with most existing Lockly products.

The Matter Link Hub is Lockly’s first attempt at bringing the interoperability standard to its roster. By syncing your smart lock to the hub, you’ll be able to integrate it with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and (for the first time) the Apple Home app. Best of all, you won’t need to sacrifice any countertop space for the Matter Link Hub, as it connects directly to an electrical outlet and should take no more than a few minutes to install.

Recommended Videos

Lockly also revealed the Visage Smart Lock — a high-end smart lock equipped with facial recognition technology and support for Apple HomeKey and the Apple Home app. It’s expected to work with Matter, though its certification is still pending approval. Other standout features include a fingerprint sensor, a digital keypad, the ability to issue temporary codes, and built-in Wi-Fi for remote access.

While Lockly primarily focused on products designed for the average homeowner, the LocklyPro team — focused on commercial applications — debuted a new collaboration with Alarm.com. The Lockly Guard Deadbolt Z-Wave will allow users to control its performance remotely through the Alarm.com app. It will be available in two formats, allowing users to choose one either with or without a fingerprint scanner.

The Matter Link will be available sometime this year for $80. The Visage Smart Lock will launch this summer for $349, while release and pricing details for the Lockly Guard Deadbolt Z-Wave are yet to be announced.

Jon Bitner
Jon Bitner is a writer covering consumer electronics, technology, and gaming. His work has been published on various websites…
The latest Philips smart lock can read your palm to open your front door
The Philips Palm Reader smart lock on a blue door.

Philips just launched a slew of new products, headlined by the Philips Home Access 5000 Series Palm Recognition Smart Lock. The device works not just with a physical key, PIN code, or Philips mobile app, but also with the built-in palm scanner -- making it one of the most futuristic smart locks of 2024.

According to Philips, the scanner works by tracking "unique palm vein patterns," making it nearly impossible to hack and offering families an ultra-secure way to lock their front door. Setup is just as easy as most other smart locks, thanks to built-in Wi-Fi so you can get up and running without the need for a secondary bridge. It also works with voice commands via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

Read more
The Cync Smart Undercabinet Fixtures bring heaps of functionality to your kitchen
The Cync HD+ Smart Undercabinet Fixtures installed on a cabinet.

Debuted earlier this year during CES 2024, GE Lighting has officially launched its Cync HD+ Smart Undercabinet Fixtures. These unique smart lights are built specifically for undercabinet mounting and support both hardwiring and plug-in power options. The lineup includes multiple sizes as well as a compact puck light, making it easy to mix and match the two styles to personalize your kitchen.

The Smart Undercabinet Fixtures are available in 12-inch, 18-inch, and 24-inch variants, while the puck light clocks in with a 3-inch diameter. All styles can be connected together, ensuring it is easy to control the entire group with the companion Cync mobile app. Along with tunable whites, the lights support millions of other colors and are fully compatible with Matter -- giving them the ability to communicate with hundreds of other smart home products.

Read more
Philips launches its first smart lock with Wi-Fi that can be controlled from anywhere
The Philips Smart Deadbolt with Built-In Wi-Fi being installed on a door.

Philips has officially launched its first smart deadbolt with built-in Wi-Fi (aptly named the Philips Smart Deadbolt with Built-In Wi-Fi), giving users the ability to control their front door regardless of location. There's no need for a secondary bridge or other devices, as the lock itself connects directly to the Philips Home Access App via Wi-Fi, making setup a quick and easy process.

Further streamlining the setup process is the retrofit design of the smart lock. It should easily fit over most existing hardware, so you won't have to change out any deadbolts or worry about passing out new keys. That means the outside portion of your front door will largely look unchanged, though you'll still benefit from "smarts" such as voice command integration, auto-unlock function, door position sensing, and remote access via the mobile app.

Read more