Schlage sense review

Up I have been looking to get a smart lock/deadbolt for a while now.  Schlage sense is one of the products that I have considered.  

Today I finally decided to buy it and give it a try.

The installation is pretty easy.  It took me about half hour to take out my old lock and installed the new one.  I have not change any lock in my life before.  So I think it was pretty easy.  For information, you can download the app and view the installation video.

After its installed, the pairing was pretty easy too.  It did failed once and I had to reset the lock.  The second time works smoothly without issue.  The homekit remote works perfectly.  I tries turning off my wifi and it still works remotely pretty 100% of the time.  I have a 3rd generation Apple TV which is sitting on the opposite end of my house.  It's right around 30 gets from the door.  It actually performs better than I expected.  I was able to invite my wife to join my homekit and she is able to use Siri to control the lock too.

*One thing that I had in doubt was using siri on the lock screen of my iPhone.  I worried that people can get my phone and use Siri to open my door.  It turns out that Apple (HomeKit) or Schlage did the right thing by required user to unlock phone before Siri will process the request.  So, stranger can try to use Siri to unlock my door.  But they will failed.  However, they can still do other things with Siri ... which is probably something that they should lock too.

Once it's all paired, you can see you door status from the main screen.  And you can always lock/unlock from this screen.

You have the following settimgs.  They are very self-explanatory from the screen shots.

To setup passcode, you can give it a name and (in my case) a 8 digits code.  There are the options to set schedule for the passcode or allow all day access.

The activity logs contain the most recent 100 activities that happened.  As you can see, you can see how the door is unlocked/locked by thumb turn or by mobile device or by a passcode (the title of the passcode is showing)

I'm pretty happy with the Schlage sense. I do have a few wishing lists.  The main things are:

• I wish I can create random length passcode and not stick to a single length.  So, I can potentially create a 6-digits code for my parents (who can't remember as easily) and 8-digits code for temporary guests.
• I wish that they can allow one touch unlock like the Kwikset Kevo.  Since it has bluetooth already, hopefully it'll just be a firmware update and an option in the settings. However,  I do understand Schlage's concern about security.  So, I expect they will no release such an update.

***Updated on iOS 10: The lock was in pretty bad shape for about 2 weeks after the iOS 10 update.  The first iOS app and firmware update breaks the lock.  

• The lock was unable to connect to the app most of the time.  Had to do a few reset for the lock to get it connect.  
• the new Home app can't communicate with the lock.
• the remote feature for me became non-existent because it stopped working with 3rd generation AppleTV.  However, I did get it working with using my iPad as the home hub.

The 2nd update from Schlage fixed everything and so far everything is working now.  It's about 2 ~ 3 weeks outage for me.  But it's all good now if you're considering buying the lock.

Apple Watch As Portable Baby Monitor

Recently I discovered an unexpected usage of my Apple Watch ... and that is to use it as a portable baby monitor.  My wife and I take my kids to friends/family places very often.  When our 6 months old needs to take a nap, we usually have to put her down at someone's bed and other flat surface.  We have monitor at home for us to monitor the baby to make sure nothing terribly wrong has happened.  So in a new environment, baby monitor feels like a something that can ease our mind while chilling at with family/friends.

Apple Watch has the ability to remote control iPhone camera to take photos.  By using this feature, I can place my iPhone close to where my baby sleeps and point the camera at her.  By activating the remote camera feature from Apple Watch, I can clearly see how my baby girl is doing.

The photo below is what I can see from my Apple Watch when placing my iPhone on top of the head board.

I can't hear anything but at least I can see if she is moving outside of the pillow area or stuck underneath a pillow.  It provides us an ease of mind.  It's definitely something that I didn't thought as an usage for my Apple Watch when I purchased it.

Maybe this tip can help you as well.  We all know parents are very paranoia ;)

Apple Watch Sport Space Grey with fancy bands

I don't think I'll ever spend $200+ on an extra band.  It's not that I don't appreciate it .... But I just don't find it that much nicer.

Anyway just out of curiosity, I went to Apple Store and try out the classic Buckle and Milanese loop bands with my space grey watch.  Since there is no pictures anywhere for such combination available, it'll at least show me the potential.  Maybe I'll win lottery jackpot and decide to buy one :)

Surprisingly, both bands don't look too bad with the space grey model.  What do you think?

Apple Watch vs Pebble - The world of difference for notification

After using my Apple Watch for more than a week, I think the biggest difference between Pebble and Apple Watch for iPhone users is the notification and the things that you can do with it.

What Pebble can do:

• Vibrate whenever a new notification comes in.  The notification will be displayed on the watch screen.  You can click up and down button to view more information or the middle button to clear it.  That is pretty much all you can do for iPhone users.  I know Android users can reply text messages with some predefined text.  So, it's pretty much just letting you know you can a notification and what is it.  You'll still have to change to your iPhone for any action afterward.

• If you didn't attend to the notification for a while, the notification will display automatically on the screen.  You can then go to the notification manually to view them.
• It vibrates with such a force that you'll know you have a notification for sure.  So, I can usually wear my watch a bit loose.

What Apple Watch can do:

• Display short notification message then the long notification message if you raise your arm soon enough after the haptic tag.  If you're too late, you'll see the red dot on the top of the watch screen the next time you raise your arm.
• By swiping down, you'll get all the notifications that came in.  It'll be the short notification and then you can click on each notification to view the long/full notification message.
• For text message or iMessage, you have the options to reply and dismiss.
• The most important benefit of Apple Watch is the third party implementation of the notification.  For instance, I have been using Outlook on my iPhone as my main email app.  With Outlook notification, I get options to archive, delete, schedule for later, or mark as read.  The most of the time, I can react to the notification without taking my phone out. The only time I need to get my iPhone out is to reply email. 

• When I'm using my iPhone and get a notification, Apple Watch doesn't tap or do anything.  It is good because I don't have to dismiss the same notification twice.  For example, the reminder app can allow me to snooze or complete the task right on my watch.

• The haptic tap is very gentle.  Even tho I have gotten used to it now, I still miss the tag from time to time.  So, I believe when Apple says it's trying to help you doing the important things and not get distracted.
• Display Chinese character flawlessly!!! I don't know what's going on.  But Pebble is still not able to display Chinese characters even tho they have promised the functionality for a long time.  There are some apps that helps with that.  But I can never get it to work ...

I think Pebble is still a very good option for hardcore watch wear who needs to have the watch to be always on and battery last a long time.  But Apple Watch opens so much more possibilities for the iPhone users.  Plus, I don't think Apple will open up as much flexibility for Pebble.  It's sad but I guess that's just the nature of the business.

Apple Watch Sport Unboxing

I finally got my Apple Watch Sport Space Grey 38 mm version today.  Here are some unboxing photos.  The box is definitely different from the stainless version (you can see the unboxing of the stainless version here).  I guess when you paid $250 more for a watch, you should get a nice and bigger box with it too :)

Except the package and the watch casing, the pairing and the functionalities are exactly the same between all models.

Apple Watch Unboxing

Here is the unboxing of an Apple Watch (Stainless) with black sport band.  The Sport model is a different package.

Outside box

The inside box

Opening the inside box

Voila, watch is here !!!

Underneath the watch is the charging cable

Watch on the wrist

The extra half of band

Pairing with the Apple Watch

Pairing

Pebble Steel Vs Apple Watch

I had my appointment to book a try out appointment on Friday.  I tried the 38 mm and 42 mm Apple Watch Sport and the 42 mm stainless edition with the leather loop trap.  The leather loop trap is my favour trap and the one that I want the most.  But it's only compatible with 42 mm and it is pretty expensive ... However, the leather loop trap is really comfortable and feels really good.

One of the things that I didn't know before was which size to pre-order for the Apple Watch (one of the other things also includes ... why do I need one).  So, I asked for two different size of watch to try it out and I compared with the Pebble Steel.

From the following photos, you can see how each model compare to Pebble Steel.

Pebble Steel vs 38 mm Apple Watch Sport white	Pebble Steel vs 42 mm Apple Watch Sport (space grey)
Apple Watch Sport 38 mm (white) and 42 mm (space grey)	Apple Watch 42 mm with blue leather loop

Before the try out appointment, I pre-ordered the 38 mm space grey online in the morning around 3:18 am (ET) after waking up by my 3 months old baby.  But I still have to wait for  4 to 6 weeks before it's delivered ... anyway, that's a different story.  I felt 38 mm is probably the best option considered I don't have a really big and long arm.  But after trying the 42 mm one and compare with my Pebble Steel size by size, I'm a bit confused now.  The 42 mm Apple Watch is basically the same size as my Pebble Steel only a bit thicker (should have taken a photo from the side).  But I'm not sure and don't want to pay that extra $70 for 42 mm ... yeah, I lived in Canada and it's more expensive :(

I'll likely stick with 38 mm only because it's 1st generation and I still don't know if it's worth the price.  So far I think Pebble might be more practical because I only needed the basic functionality.  The battery life and always-on are two very useful and important features for watches.  At the same time, when I'm home with my kids, I can see the following situations that Apple Watch would be useful

• I can actual picking up phone call from my watch and not looking for my phone
• Reply text message directly without looking for my phone
• The remote app will allow me to control iTune without looking for my phone

I prefer to put my phone away when I'm with my kids (trying to be a role model and pay 100% attention to them).  Currently, I can know if the call or message is important enough for me to reach/look for my phone.  But with Apple Watch, I don't even have to look for my phone, I can do all above directly with the watch.

I know they are not good reasons to spend money on gadgets.  But again, there is never good reasons and most of the gadgets are not necessary.  I think I like it, I want it are probably good enough reasons for it.  Anyway, waiting for it to deliver and try it out in real life :)