Release of Yale Smart Lock with Matter

The Yale Smart Lock with Matter is set to hit the market on June 24th, priced at $189.99. This is a $20 increase from its initial announcement in March, attributed to tariff impacts, as reported by Yale to The Verge. The lock will be available on both Amazon and Yale’s official website.

Compatibility and Features

Yale emphasizes that the new smart lock is optimized for Google Home and Matter, designed with Google Home’s Nest video doorbells in mind. However, its Matter-over-Thread connectivity allows for integration across multiple smart home platforms, including Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings.

Price Increase Explanation

Catelyn Herman, Yale’s senior product manager, explained in a briefing to The Verge that rising tariff and overall product costs necessitated the price hike. All other features remain unchanged since the initial announcement, which also disclosed the discontinuation of their previous collaboration with Google: the Nest x Yale lock.

Design and Functionality

The lock is available in white, black, and gray, promising a 12-month battery life with four AA batteries. The Matter-over-Thread connectivity enhances response times compared to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth options. It features diverse control methods, including a backlit push-button keypad and key access, alongside remote functionalities via Google Home and voice commands using Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Siri.

Comparative Features and Limitations

In contrast to the Nest x Yale lock, this new model does not integrate with any security systems at launch, a surprising omission given Yale and Google’s alliance with the home security firm ADT. Though designed primarily for Google Home, the lock can function with any Matter-supporting platform.

Installation and Connectivity Requirements

Setting up the lock can be done through the Google Home app or any Matter-compatible app, with no necessity for the Yale app. However, it requires a Matter controller and Thread border router for optimal use with Google Home.

Conclusion

The Yale Smart Lock can also be controlled using the Yale Home app through Bluetooth when in range but lacks built-in Wi-Fi capabilities. Although a Yale Wi-Fi Connect bridge is available for $90, utilizing a Google TV Streamer for Thread connectivity is more beneficial.