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Google Catches Up to Apple, With Digital Wallet Keys for Your Physical Home Lock

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Google Catches Up to Apple, With Digital Wallet Keys for Your Physical Home Lock

Google Wallet can unlock Android users' doors who have compatible smart locks.

Android users looking for the most high-tech ways to manage their smart locks at home just got some great news. On Tuesday, Google announced it will start offering digital keys in Google Wallet built on Aliro, a new smart lock standard.

When I tested the predictive, futuristic Schlage Sense Pro lock — which uses ultrawideband technology and Apple Home Keys in Apple Wallet — Schlage told me that other brands were adopting Aliro to bring that same seamless usability to more devices, and now the time has come.

The best thing about the lock is that it didn’t require me to tap my phone for an NFC connection or even wave it in the vicinity. The ultrawideband, or UWB tech — think of it like an advanced version of Bluetooth older locks used — sensed a key holder was coming to the door, judged my speed and trajectory based on the signals the lock was getting, and had the door unlocked by the time I reached it, with autolock features locking it back up a minute later.

Home keys in Google Wallet , which have already started rolling out to Public Preview users in Google Home, offer users a lot of similar tricks with the right smart locks. That’s handy not only for saving time fumbling for your phone at the door, but also if your hands are full or you’re busy talking to someone. When I tested Schlage’s version, it could sense when I was actually approaching and when I was simply walking by the door, too, so the lock didn’t randomly open.


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