[eggbrain]

Why use a car? Relies on:

  Gas to run
  You making sure everything is well maintained
  Expensive vs biking
  Auto mechanics needed if your car breaks down

Anyone in your area could easily steal your car or explode it rendering it useless.

Doesn't seem like a very good risk/reward ratio to me.

Kidding aside, you must not have read very carefully, since it has NFC and Bluetooth as backups. The DDOS scenario would require a targeted attack, and wouldn't render it useless anyways as per the above. The device works for renters who can't change their lock, but still want some convenience.

Yes, it has some drawbacks. But I think it is an incredibly well thought out device that I'm jumping on.

[trotsky]

wouldn't it be more like why make a coal driven steam engine when diesel models had been out for 30 years?

[eggbrain]

The device offers many features current lock-and-key models don't, and can be used by a wide variety of people (whereas you cant use custom locks for apartments). Your analogy above really makes no sense.

But going back to your original post, at least two of your drawbacks were wrong, and the others seemed to be nay saying for simply the joy of doing so. A DDOS attack on someones wireless to stop them from getting in?

  A) Something that wouldn't have affected the lock since Bluetooth and NFC works

  B) A targeted scenario that might as well be "well locks don't protect against rocks thrown through windows!

Why use a laptop to write notes (that requires your laptop to have power/working correctly) when a simple pen and paper will do? We can trivialize anything using that methodology.

[veemjeem]

I don't understand why you're so negative. It's a new product that has new benefits, and new drawbacks. The same could be said about the calculator when it first came out. You couldn't even compute logarithms on the first calculator model, but the slide rule had no problems. Most people were faster using the slide rule so it felt like the calculator was a backwards technological progression.

Should we try to innovate on the calculator or go back to using slide rules?

[tripzilch]

Great example. While the calculator is a great invention, it's also caused many people over two generations of not being able to perform simple arithmetic in their head. Of course, we're hackers and we try to keep our minds fresh by doing simple tricks such as calculating the total value on the receipt before checkout (or the ubiquitous 35% off stickers a certain Dutch supermarket has)--don't we ;) And almost nobody knows how to use a slide rule any more.

And while that's sad, it doesn't make the calculator less great.

[philwebster]

There are more advantages to this than you realize. For instance, my father is a quadriplegic and has limited dexterity so it is extremely difficult for him to handle keys. If he wanted the ability to lock a door on his way out, it would be much easier for him to make a few taps on his iPad and be on his way.

[bduerst]

I'd say it's analogous to making a diesel engine when standard combustion engines already exist.

[Charles__L]

Yes, but what are ways it is possible to break into a car? Break a window (drawback: sets off a car alarm)

Duplicate the a key (drawback: requires original key) Steal car when open (drawback: not many people leave there car open)

How could you break in a key

[Charles__L]

Yes, but what are ways it is possible to break into a car?

  Break a window (drawback: sets off a car alarm)
  
  Duplicate or steal the a key (drawback: requires original key)

  Steal car when open (drawback: not many people leave there car open)

How could you break in a Lockitron (or prevent someone from using it)?

  Steal a persons phone (much easier than stealing a key. A phone  is taken out more often than a set of keys)

  Cut telephone wires for wi-fi (a little extreme, but possible)

  Hack there password.

Besides, how much motion does it require to open a lock with a key? I guess it makes sense to use it to unlock or lock your house remotely, but when have you been in that kind of situation? If someone needs a key, just give them a copy.