[Originally posted on 10 January 2020]

Announced back at CES, when times were simpler, the Yale Linus Smart Door Lock addresses all the concerns people had with the Yale Conexis L1. The new locks offers smart lock functionality while retaining the outdoor hardware and lock cylinder, this therefore allows you to carry on using your key as a backup and retain the aesthetics of your outdoor door handles (I have a double door, so the Conexis L1 gives me mismatched handles.)

This is similar to the approach taken by Danalock and Nuki. Priced at £219.98 it is a little more expensive than Nuki who charge £259 but include the bridge for remote access. The Yale Connect Wi-Fi Bridge is £69.98 taking the total cost of the two to £289.96.

While I liked the Nuki Smart Lock, the plastic build was a little off-putting for something so expensive, I have not used the Linus yet, but it at least looks like a nicer design.

Danalock or the all in one Ultion Smart Lock are cheaper, however, they don’t have bridge functionality and instead need you to pair it up with Samsung SmartThings or a Z-Wave system.

Preview	Product	Rating	Price
	Yale 05/101200/SI – Linus Smart Lock – Silver – Keyless and…	No ratings yet	£219.99	Buy on Amazon
	Yale 05/401g00/WH –Connect Wi-Fi Bridge for Linus – Remote…	No ratings yet	£69.99	Buy on Amazon

Original Post from CES

This is a reasonably existing bit of news (for me) from CES. Yale has introduced a new smart lock, the Linus Smart Lock. I have been impressed with their smart locks before including the Yale Conexis L1, but many people dislike the reliance of an electrical smart lock for your main (or only) door. The main concern is that the lock will decide not to lock, or lock you out. It wasn’t something I experienced myself, but it has been reported in some cases.

I loved the concept of the Nuki Smart Lock 2.0 but it was very plasticy and light, which didn’t inspire confidence for a device costing over £200.

The Yale Linus offers similar functionality to Nuki, upgrading your existing lock and keys to a smart solution, being more of a smart key turner than a smart lock. It was designed in conjunction with August and Béhar, and August has been hugely successful in the US, this represents the first time their tech has ventured into the global market including the UK.

While I have not had a hands-on with the lock, the overall design and build quality appear to be superior to the Nuki. This is a thinner elongated solution which looks like it should be easier to mount.

Build quality will be important here if they can make something superior to the Nuki, this could be the smart lock I finally commit to.

There is also no mention of battery life, this will likely be less than the Yale Conexis L1 or the recently announced Netatmo Smart Lock. The lock has to physically turn a key so requires more effort, the Nuki lasts 4-6 months normally. With this system, you will never have to worry about the battery failing, or electrical failure, as you can still use your existing keys.

The Yale Linus works via Bluetooth and it is compatible with the Yale Connect Wi-Fi Bridge, which confers integration with voice assistant platforms like Google Assistant, Alexa, and HomeKit, plus third-party services like Airbnb and IFTTT.

There is no word on price, or availability yet.

Full Press Release

Yale, the
leading home security expert has today at CES 2020 announced Linus®, a brand new motorised Smart Lock, that will bring Yale
consumers a high level of security and first-class class design.

Powered by advanced software and the user-friendly
Yale Access app, the Linus® Smart Lock will offer Yale consumers added functionalities, such as the
ability to lock and unlock their door, grant keyless access and keep track of
who comes and goes, all through their smartphone.

With the Smart Door Locks Report launched by IFSEC Global and ASSA ABLOY in 2018 finding that 96 per cent of survey takers consider the design and style of their smart lock to be of importance, Yale has strived to meet the growing demand for highly aesthetic smart home solutions by partnering up with Yves Behar, a Swiss designer and entrepreneur.  Offering a smart and modern design, Linus® will be available in silver and black, allowing Yale consumers to choose a style that suits their home.

The brand-new Linus® Smart Lock features innovative DoorSense
Technology that will notify the consumer when their door is open or closed,
giving them peace of mind knowing that their door is securely closed and
locked. The Smart Lock can also be set up to lock automatically via
the Yale Access app, as soon as the door is closed or after a set amount of
time, thanks to the Linus® auto-lock function. The auto-unlock recognises a homeowner’s
arrival and unlocks as they approach. The Linus® Smart Lock
will track lock operations, such as locks or unlocks, details of which can be found
in the ‘Access History’ on the Yale Access app.

‘’Placing the security of the people and things that matter
most to us is always at the absolute forefront of any Yale project. It was very
important to us to give Linus® owners an even higher level
of protection, as well as added convenience and flexibility, both being highly
sought after in our time pressured lives’’ – says Martin Marron, Managing Director, Yale UK.

Linus® offers consumers the added
convenience of a smartphone or Apple Watch becoming a key with a simple tap to
lock or unlock the door.  Forgot your
phone? The user can simply type a PIN code into the Yale Smart Keypad to unlock
it with just one touch.

Easy to install and compatible with
surfaces including wood, render and brick, the wire-free Smart Keypad is
perfect to manage access for children, guests or trusted workmen. Moreover, the
ability to grant digital keys for a few weeks, hours or minutes, means Linus®
users can say goodbye to the fear of lost or stolen keys.

The new Linus Smart Lock is Bluetooth enabled and with the addition of the Yale Connect Wi-Fi Bridge, remote access and voice assistant integrations become possible, such as Amazon Alexa, the Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit, as well as top hosting platforms including Airbnb, and IFTTT, a web-based service offering additional connections.

Linus can connect to a smartphone, the Yale Smart Keypad and the Yale Connect Wi-Fi Bridge via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), whereas the Yale Connect Wi-Fi Bridge can connect to a router via Wi-Fi. Offering our consumers an even higher level of security, the Linus® Smart Lock is protected with 2-factor security and BLE technology encryption with an additional encryption code. In case of loss of the connected smartphone, the Yale Access app and all virtual keys on any associated devices can be disabled at any time via the Yale website.

Yale strives to
drive the home security industry forward through the introduction of Linus® and the Yale Access app, both having the potential to open
up a range of unique possibilities such as guest home access, in-home delivery
and services, all of which are of high demand in
today’s society.  

Whether the smart lock user is a holiday rental owner, has a cleaner or
dog walker who visits the home regularly, or someone who has friends and family
visiting often, the Linus® Smart Lock can help make their life
easier.

‘’Thanks to the introduction of Linus® and the Yale
Access app, home services such as dog
walking, parcel delivery or cleaning can be facilitated through our smart home
security system, allowing our customers to manage their time better and spend
it doing things they enjoy’’ – concludes Martin Marron.

Posted by Mighty Gadget Blog: UK Technology News and Reviews