ULTRALOQ’s New Take on Location Based Locks
ULTRALOQ has launched the Bolt Mission, its first ultra-wideband (UWB) smart lock compatible with Apple Home. Instead of relying on GPS-based geofencing, it combines UWB, Bluetooth Low Energy, and radar sensing to detect when a user is actually approaching the door, enabling more reliable hands-free unlocking. The new lineup also includes the Bolt Pro and Latch 5 Pro, both supporting the cross-platform Aliro standard for wallet-based tap-to-unlock. All three locks are Matter-certified and work with Apple, Google, and Amazon smart home ecosystems.
The Circana Take:
- As one of the few UWB-enabled smart locks on the market today, the ULTRALOQ Bolt Mission highlights how smart home access is evolving beyond unreliable geofencing and Bluetooth-only detection.
- By using ultra-wideband technology to determine a user’s precise location and direction of travel, it promises more accurate, frictionless entry. Its support for Apple Home and Matter also signals growing adoption of advanced, cross-platform access standards.
June Oven Shuts Down
The June Oven, a once-popular AI-powered smart countertop oven acquired by Weber in 2021, lost its connected features in September when Weber shut down the product’s cloud services and app support. The shutdown is a reality check for the smart home industry: a premium appliance known for food recognition, remote monitoring, and app control is now largely reduced to basic oven functions.
The Circana Take:
- The June Oven shutdown shows that even recurring subscription revenue does not guarantee long-term support for smart home products. June charged monthly fees for premium features like remote control, live camera access, and guided recipes, yet Weber still discontinued the platform after ending hardware production.
- The episode highlights the risks of cloud-dependent devices and reinforces demand for local control, open standards, and stronger support commitments