Smart Locks vs. Dumb Locks. A proper lock is a crucial component to home security, keeping unwanted intruders from four legged pests to would be burglars at bay. And while we certainly cant knock the classic deadbolt, some locks have a few more tricks up their sleeves than others. The new kid on the block, the smart lock, has enough cool features to entice everyone from Airbnb owners to close knit families. Compared to the traditional lock, however, it could saddle you with more trouble than youre willing to handle at the expense of convenience. On Tuesday, Techcrunch writer John Biggs had his phone number stolen by a hacker who gained control Read more Read. Competition. Locks, whether smart or dumb, are designed to keep intruders and other unwanted people out while at the same time letting the right people in without much hassle. Whether physical or digital, youll still need some sort of key to gain access. Traditional locks. Whether you want to call them dumb, traditional, or analog, regular door locks do one thing, and one thing well keep things from getting in. While the innards of a traditional lock vary based on manufacturer, security rating, or locking mechanism, they usually open with the turn of a key. Smart locks. Smart locks take advantage of something youve got on you all the time your smartphone. Whether youre connecting via Bluetooth, using geolocation to identify when youre home, or controlling the lock through a Wi Fi enabled app, you can use your smart lock and smartphone in concert to open the door, key free. There are relatively few smart lock varieties available, partially because of its novelty and status as a relative newcomer to the market. Smart Locks Are a Future Were Not Quite Ready For Yet Smart locks trounce traditional locks when it comes to convenience. Be prepared to spend anywhere from 1. Some smart locks can open doors through corresponding apps, letting you grant people access from miles away. That convenience, coupled with other cool features like temporary keys and automatic locking based on geolocation, make it a lock perfect for todays internet of things society. Unfortunately, theyre just as insecure as the rest of the smart home tech we use. An automatic firmware update broke Lock. States internet enabled smart locks for around 5. Read more Read. Not only are smart locks susceptible to attacks from malicious parties, they can be disabled by the company itself depending on the software involved. Recently, smart lock company Lockstate accidentally bricked hundreds of its own smart locks through a botched software update. The locks, recommended by Airbnb for use by hosts, left renters locked out of their temporary homes with little recourse. When we asked a group of security experts whether theyd use smart locks themselves, we were met with mixed responses. Not a great sign. Traditional Locks Work, as Long as Youve Got an Extra Key The no fuss access a traditional lock provides is convenient, as long as you have your own key. The number of options available to you when purchasing a traditional lock are nearly limitless, and you can find one based on your security needs pretty easily. Prices for traditional locks range from 2. Breaking a traditional lock is also more difficult than hacking a smart lock. For one, you need to be next to the lock instead of on a computer, miles away. Where a traditional lock fails is where a smart lock excels, however. If your friend wants in while youre out and about, theyll have to have a key of their own to unlock your dumb lock. If you cant meet with them youll need to leave it for them in an inconspicuous location, lest someone else discover it please, dont leave it under the mat. That level of insecurity might be enough to turn people off of traditional locks, but a little planning and an extra key or two at home tend to solve this issue pretty easily. Verdict Smart Locks Are Useful, But Not Ready For Primetime I recently replaced my front doors flimsy lock with a fancier, traditional deadbolt lock. While I did consider a smart lock, I didnt want to deal with the potential inability to get inside my own home thanks to some hackers online, a company pushing a faulty software update. Besides, explaining smart home technology to my landlord wouldve been another hassle, despite his easygoing temperament. If This Then That IFTTT is a useful tool for automating actions between your webapps, but it canRead more Read While adding smarts to devices like light bulbs, watches, or even security cameras makes sense, trusting access to your home to a nascent and expensive security system is something you should avoid, at least for now. If youre serious about this whole home of the future business, then consider a smart lock from a trusted lock brand instead of a newfound startup. C7B.zoom.jpg?fit=inside 430:430' alt='Watch Showdown In Manila Tube Free' title='Watch Showdown In Manila Tube Free' />Smoking Showdown Vape Pens vs. Joints. The dim glow of an e cigarette activating has become the butt of quite a few jokes about the concept of cool. While theyre not hip, the tech behind them is, especially when paired with cannabis. Watch Showdown In Manila Tube Free' title='Watch Showdown In Manila Tube Free' />But not everyone wants to smoke their marijuana out of what looks like a Bluetooth enabled straw. Sometimes a joint works just fine, especially among friends. So which ones best Competition. Vaping, like smoking a cannabis cigarette, provides you with a pretty easy way to consume the plant. One is powered via USB port, the other with a lighter. Theyll both get you high. Security has been increased at Manila Airport after direct flights from Turkey to the Philippines increased fears of terrorists trying to enter Australia. A proper lock is a crucial component to home security, keeping unwanted intruders from fourlegged pests to wouldbe burglars at bay. And while we certainly cant. Vapes. Ah, vaping. The future of enjoying cannabis. Vaping, either with cannabis oil in cartridges or ground up cannabis flower inside a heating chamber, heats the cannabis without burning it, vaporizing the active ingredient and getting you high. If youve ever been inside a weed store, whether thats medical or recreational, you know thatRead more Read. Joints. Rolling a joint is the tried and true way to get high. Grind up your herb, get some rolling papers, and light up. Sure, its smoking, but its definitely healthier for you than actual cigarettes. Vapes The Dorky Future of Enjoying Cannabis. While vaping does look dorky, its advantage over smoking a classic joint is convenience is worth the nerd points. Besides, cannabis is probably the coolest thing you can vape, so you automatically win that round. You can carry a vaporizer practically anywhere, as long as youre following the law wherever you are. They range in size from pen sized vaporizers with twist off cannabis cartridges to handheld units the size of a point and shoot camera. Dont get it twisted. Youre not exactly engaging in a healthy activity by partaking in some vaporizing. But its still healthier than smoking a cigarette. With fewer toxins and no combustion involved, it generates fewer carcinogens, and doesnt produce any smoke, only vapor. Joints Cannabis for People Who Drive Stick. Watch Hanover Street Streaming. Joints are the classic cannabis consumption method of choice. Get your rolling paper, filter, and ground cannabis, and light it up. Smoking one with friends is always a blast, and doesnt look like youre all getting your DNA analyzed. Also, its a battery free experience, so you dont have to worry about where you put your charging cable. So youre about to hop on a plane, but you want to bring your legally acquired medical marijuanaRead more Read. Of course, assembling a joint from scratch is a pain when compared to pulling out a pen and taking a quick puff whenever you want. In addition, all your saliva residue might hold the rolled result together, but its not exactly germ free. A joint is also more noticeable than a pen, and while you might get away with using a vape pen inside an establishment, smoking indoors is usually a no no. Vapings For Dorks, But Its The Future of Cannabis Consumption. Vape fans, rejoice While you will look like a geek for years to come, vaping is simply the most convenient way to enjoy a bit of cannabis. You dont need to start a fire, you can take a puff basically anywhere, and theres no smoke.