Yale Unveils New Smart Lock Compatible with Google Nest and Matter Platforms
Yale, the renowned lock manufacturer, has announced a new smart lock designed to seamlessly integrate with Google’s Nest video doorbells. This latest offering is compatible with any Matter-enabled smart home platform, including Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings, signaling a shift towards more open smart home standards.
The Yale Smart Lock, set to launch this summer with a price tag of $170, is a full-deadbolt replacement featuring a keypad and keyway. It will be available in gray, white, and black finishes to complement Nest doorbells. The lock boasts an impressive battery life of up to 12 months using four AA batteries.
In terms of connectivity, the Yale Smart Lock works with the Yale Access app over Bluetooth and any Matter-certified smart home app via a compatible Matter controller and Thread border router. While it lacks built-in Wi-Fi, users can connect it through a Yale Connect Wi-Fi Bridge if necessary. The lock comes with built-in Matter-over-Thread connectivity, eliminating the need for swappable modules.
Through Matter integration, the lock can be managed via Google Home for features such as passcode management, guest access, auto-lock, and battery alerts. While it’s compatible with other Matter apps, feature availability may vary depending on the platform. Yale has emphasized that there are no proprietary features favoring Google Home over other platforms.
This release marks Yale’s second Matter-enabled smart lock, following the Yale Assure SL. The company has also announced plans to upgrade its Yale Approach retrofit smart lock to Matter-over-Thread, although a Matter-over-Thread module for the Assure 2 products is yet to be released.
Coinciding with this announcement, Google and Yale have confirmed the discontinuation of manufacturing for the Nest x Yale Lock. However, existing devices will continue to function and receive updates.
This move by Yale underscores the industry’s growing commitment to open smart home standards, potentially reshaping the landscape of smart home technology in the coming years.
