U-tec has taken the covers off of the Ultraloq Bolt Matter Fingerprint Edition ahead of CES 2024.
Touted as one of the world’s first smart Wi-Fi deadbolts compatible with Matter, it could well be the first Matter-over-Thread smart lock that features a fingerprint reader, although there may be more on show in Vegas next week.
Thread is a big deal in the smart lock world as it offers more automation options than a Bluetooth-only lock, while also allowing for a longer battery life, which is of course not possible with a Wi-Fi smart lock.
There are other Matter smart locks with fingerprint readers, such as the Aqara U100, but that’s a Wi-Fi device.
The Ultraloq Bolt Matter Fingerprint Edition features not only fingerprint recognition, but also unlocking options such as passcodes, mobile app access and backup keys.
Battery life is touted at a year and it will cost $299 when it goes on sale later in Q1.
There will also be a non Matter, HomeKit, version and a NFC and Wi-Fi version (no fingerprint reader) that works with Apple Home Key, Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings.
Both of these models will be available for $249 and will land in February,
Wi-Fi Mesh smart lighting bulbs
U-tec will also be using CES 2024 to show off its new Bright A19 1100LM smart light bulbs, which the company says is the world’s first bulb to offer Wi-Fi mesh connectivity.
Unlike a normal Wi-Fi smart light bulb, which simply connects to your router or a mesh satellite, the U-tec Wi-Fi mesh is built into the bulbs themselves.
One bulb is the link to the router and the rest talk to each other using Wi-Fi; much like Hue bulbs do using Zigbee – but without the need for an extra hub or bridge.
Just the first ‘root’ bulb actually connects to your router and even if you set up multiple bulbs, it will just count as one extra Wi-Fi device on your router.
They work with smart home ecosystems such as Alexa, Google and SmartThings; we’re told a Matter update later this year will add Matter (and therefore HomeKit) to the mix too.
The Bright A19 1100LM smart light bulbs, which offer multi-colors and 1,100 lumen will be on sale in February for $15.99
U Home
The new Ultraloq models and the Bright Wi-Fi bulbs will all be controlled within U-tec’s new U Home platform, which will also be the base for some other new U-tec devices launching at CES 2024.
Devices such as a pair of new Ulticam smart security cameras (launching in June), a smart dimmer switch for the Bright bulbs and a smart plug.
