Ring’s first smart lock can be hand-cranked when its battery dies

Ring is entering the smart lock market, according to TechCrunch. The company's first smart lock tackles a common fear: getting locked out when the battery dies. Ring founder Jamie Siminoff says the idea came from buying a lock for a vacation home he worried would rarely get used. His solution: a hand-crank power dial. Turn it a few times, and the lock powers up just long enough to open. Once inside, users can remove the rechargeable battery pack and charge it normally. Siminoff says the battery lasts about a year, with app alerts before it runs low. The lock offers four entry methods: fingerprint reader, touchscreen keypad, the Ring app, or Alexa. It fits standard single-cylinder deadbolts and comes in black, silver, or brass. Ring also unveiled four new 4K cameras alongside the lock. The smart lock launches in the U.S. in early 2027, pending FCC authorization. Full article link in bio.