Amazon Key debuted late last year in select markets as a suite of features adjacent to in-home delivery for Prime members, and now all of its functionalities except for in-home delivery itself are available nationwide, the company said Thursday. In-home delivery in the 37 cities and surrounding areas where it’s already happening will continue as it currently it. Regardless, both Prime members and non-subscribers outside of those areas can now benefit from keyless entry, guest access, door monitoring, and remote locking and unlocking through the Amazon Key system. Additionally, the selection of available smart locks compatible with Amazon Key has been expanded and now includes locks from major manufacturers Kwikset and Yale.
The service has no monthly fee in and of itself, and starter kits that include an indoor camera to point at your door and a smart lock have been discounted on a promotional basis, with discounts running from $109.99 to $139.99. While not as comprehensive as home security solutions from the likes of Vivint, the new countrywide version of Amazon Key is a fairly affordable way to enjoy the benefits of an internet-connected smart lock and a connected video camera. The selection of available smart locks has now been expanded to eight models, though there is still only one available camera, being the special Amazon Key Edition of the Amazon Cloud Cam. Customers can generate unique unlock codes for each guest, and get notifications when their home is entered or locked up. As a bonus, the system is compatible with Alexa, so customers can control it using devices like the Echo, Echo Show, and Fire TV.
With Amazon Key’s more basic features having gone nationwide, in-home delivery is likely to follow in the near future. Amazon Key is still not to be considered a comprehensive home security system as it lacks an alarm function, outdoor-facing doorbell camera, and integrated sensors. All the same, it’s certainly more secure than leaving a key lying around when you’re expecting a guest that may arrive while you’re not at home, and with promotional discounts in effect, it’s presently one of the most accessible — i.e. cheapest — ways to update your home for a bit of added security and constant connectivity.
UPDATE: It turns out you don’t have to be a Prime member in order to get Amazon Key, only if you want to opt-in to in-home delivery service. Also, none of the starter kits have doorbell cameras, though they all include Amazon Cloud Cam (Amazon Key Edition), an indoor camera. All of this info is now included in the article itself.