Originally published at: http://boingboing.net/2017/08/14/airbnbs-preferred-smart-lock.html
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According to a letter sent by Lockstate, there is no way to unbrick the locks now; they have to be returned and replaced.
Fuckup aside, isn’t this a good thing? If the manufacturer can remotely release your lock, how hard could it be for a burglar with a butt set?
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Perhaps being locked is a default state of the mechanical innards for these devices, but imagine the opposite.
If my fob or keycard doesn’t function at work and I can’t get in… or. if those doors are rendered unlocked… really don’t give two shakes, that is an issue for my office to deal with if they want to go that route. The brain trust that spec’d the smart key/locks for my office were obviously based in Florida and didn’t take into account our keys stop working in the winter because of the cold. Security has to bring in an extra person JUST to run around building to let people into their offices.
I just hope building & fire codes keep mandating the need for a physical key.
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Credit to the manufacturer for not trying to dump the responsibility somewhere else or cover it up, which seems to be the go-to response normally.
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IoTehehe…
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Good words there, far better than the usual, corp-speak, no-pology.
Now to see how well they follow through.
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Do these locks have a key fallback?
Anyways, seems like the smart move would be to use a “dumb” lockbox that holds a key (and has a combination that can be changed between guests).
Then you install a second lock to use when you’re home so someone can’t just copy the key and have unfettered access to the home. (Plus you can lock both locks - twice the security, no internet of shit issues!)
That’s only a partial solution. What if you aren’t able to return home between guests to physically change the combination?
Then you’re also not able to return home to physically change the sheets and I, for one, shall be staying elsewhere.
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Then you’re buying up a residential property solely for commercial use, and you should probably reconsider your life choices.
Keep in mind that every piece of property in the world is being used commercially in the sense that people are either renting it or have purchased it, and it will eventually sell or rent when the next tenant or owner comes along. Also keep in mind that the idea of subletting or renting your (residential) property has existed for eons. In other words the residential/commercial distinction is all but meaningless. So I’m not sure I see your point.
Is there any way I can listen in when you present this argumentation to the competent building supervisory authority / trade supervisory authority / health and safety executive / fire department / internal revenue service / bank manager / etc?
Whoever calls first, I’m not picky.
That’s absolutely not true. Lowering supply increases demand and increases prices.
When people illegally turn their apartments into full time bed and breakfasts, they deplete the housing market and drive up costs for law abiding renters.
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