“I don’t understand the situation that the house key is ‘end of service'”. The service termination of the smart lock product “Qrio Smart Lock (Q-SL1)” that opens and closes the key with a smartphone is spreading ripples on SNS.
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Qrio Smart Lock
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Announcement of Qrio (from the official website)
“It’s getting difficult to maintain the service because it’s a one-time purchase type product.”
The smart lock “Q-SL1” was released in August 2015 by Sony Group subsidiary Qrio (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo).
Attach the device to the entrance door and install and use a compatible app on your smartphone. You can open and close the key in conjunction with your smartphone. Through the app, it is also possible to check the status of your home key from outside and share duplicate keys with family and friends. In 2018, the successor model “Q-SL2” appeared.
Qrio announced on its official website on May 8, 2023 that it will terminate the Q-SL1 service at the end of October.
“Since its launch in 2015, it has been patronized by many users, but five years have passed since the last shipment, and it is becoming difficult to maintain the service because it is a one-time purchase product. , Unfortunately, we have decided to terminate the service of the old product “Qrio Smart Lock (Q-SL1)”.
On SNS, it became a hot topic such as “The house key service will be terminated…”, and some people complained that they would not be able to open and close the key after the service ended.
J-CAST News applied for an interview with the company on the 10th, but there was a postscript on the Qrio official website on the same day.
According to the postscript, although functions that do not require communication with the server, such as unlocking by connecting to the app, will not immediately stop working, “Since important functions related to security cannot be guaranteed, We ask that you refrain from continuing.”
In addition, only the first “Q-SL1” will be terminated this time, and regarding the successor “Q-SL2”, “We will strive to provide services so that customers can use it with peace of mind.” there is
“Comprehensive consideration of the latest market environment and business conditions”
Qrio responded on the 16th. It was explained that the old product announced that it would stop providing software updates in 2021, three years after the final shipment. I also asked if there is a possibility that the successor Q-SL2 will also end the service in the future, but there was no answer.
On SNS, there are voices saying that if it was a subscription model service instead of a one-time purchase, it might have been possible to continue.
“I guess Qrio wanted to sell as many units as possible by covering the server maintenance costs themselves. In the middle of the day, it feels like the price has been reset so that the maintenance fee can be charged first.”
The successor Q-SL2 is sold on the official mail order site for 25,300 yen including tax. On the other hand, the Q-SL1, which was discontinued in 2018, has been sold for around 10,000 yen on Amazon and other mail-order sites even after the end of service was announced.
In Qrio’s announcement regarding the end of service, it was also announced that it would guide the sale of the successor Q-SL2 to users of Q-SL1.
“Many users may be replacing their devices in a certain cycle.”
Mr. Fujiyama, who himself uses smart locks regularly, points out the following about the characteristics of the device.
“I think the device itself will eventually break. The position of the hole, turning direction, and angle differ depending on the key, and the Q-SL1 detects them when it comes into contact with metal. If it’s installed on a door used by hundreds of people in a public place, it might break.
On top of that, he speculates, “Many users may be replacing their phones in a certain cycle.”
The background to this is the evolution of smart locks and the intensity of competition.
“CANDY HOUSE announced the SESAME 5 last month. It is thinner and can accommodate more keys. We also introduced an angle sensor, which improved durability.The NFC tag function, which can be opened and closed by holding a smartphone over it like an IC card, was quickly introduced.”
There are also companies that develop services beyond smart locks.
“Switchbot develops various products that realize smart homes, and one of them is a smart lock. It is possible to automate according to
As mentioned earlier, Mr. Fujiyama says that replacement is necessary like other home appliances, but there are cases where smart locks are introduced for commercial use such as condominiums, so smart locks will spread further in the future. showed the point of view.
2023-05-27 02:00:00
#house #key #service #Ripple #smart #lock #Qrio #correspondence #home #appliance #writer
