Jeffrey Donenfeld

Tag: airbnb

  • Coming home to the Igloo Home Deadbolt 02

    Coming home to the Igloo Home Deadbolt 02

    Smarlocks, compatible with smart home, are increasingly popular lately. Major brands like Kwikset and Schlage make consumer focused models with basic features and a focus on basic smarthome access – but Igloohome has gone much farther than that with the IglooHome Deadbolt 02. This smart lock not only adds a keypad for owner access via code, but features a host of advanced features and 3rd party tie ins that make this a truly useful piece of gear. I’ve lived with the Deadbolt 02 over the last few months – here’s my experience. I’ll spare you the technical specs and features you can lookup on IglooHome’s website, and skip straight to my impressions.

    In Short: Despite a few software bugs and hardware nuances, the Deadbolt 02 is an excellent product that’s become a welcome part of my everyday life. If you’re looking for a deadbolt that can both give you basic keypad access, as well as generate new codes for guests and service workers offline, this is the one to get. 

     

    What It Is

    The Deadbolt 02 is a keypad access deadbolt, with a standard key cylinder as a backup. It’s battery powered, and meant to be primarily accessed via the keypad. A key cylinder and standard key are there for backup, as is a bluetooth key on your phone for alternative access. The deadbolt is all weather, and features a useful smartphone app for giving access and managing the lock. Additionally, it integrates with AirBnB for guest booking access.

    Who It’s For

    The Deadbolt 02 is for the smarthome power user who not only needs keycode access to their home for themselves, but is sophisticated enough to need to give keypad access to guests, service workers, and friends – and doesn’t want to share one code with everybody. If you take your home security seriously, but want to give easy access to authorized people too, this is a great option.

    Testing Method

    I had this lock installed on my front door. I used it daily, friends used it occasionally, service workers used it occasionally, as did air bnb guests. I used the app for generating keys and giving access, used the bluetooth feature, and did a firmware upgrade wirelessly.

    First Impressions

    Getting it out of the box and setting it up was relatively easy. If your door is fairly standard, installation is straightforward. I was impressed by the slick look, good looks, and unassuming black faceplate. I also appreciated the covered key cylinder. On the lesser side, I was dissapointed to see a relatively common SC1 keyway and standard hardware store keyway – making picking this lock relatively easy for a decently skilled lockpick.  A higher security cylinder would have been a great great addition.

    Like

    I love the keypad functionality – I never have to carry a key, and simply tap in my code. Additionally, the piece of mind of a 9V battery backup, and standard key cylinder is good. Additionally, the ability to generate new codes remotely – like for unexpected guests who need access while I’m away – is a huge benefit. Actually, it’s one of the key benefits to me. I also love the AirBnB integration, and it works reliably every time.

    AirBnB Integration

    Airbnb hosts, rejoice! We have partnered Airbnb to synchronize your reservations with access to your home or property, so that you would not have to worry about check-in and check-out of guests again.

    When a guest’s accommodation booking is confirmed, we send a unique PIN code to the guest. They will use it to enter your property throughout their stay. At the end of the stay, the guest’s PIN code expires. When the next accommodation booking is confirmed, a new PIN code is generated for the next guest.

    The constant changing of PIN codes heightens security of the property, so you have peace of mind.

    Don’t Like

    The main main issue with this lock is that the standard key cylinder is a cheap, easy to pick, run of the mill hardware store keyway. As a lock and security enthusiast, it’s embarrasing to have this keyway on my house. A high security keyway, or something a bit more esoteric or obscure would make this thing almost perfect.

    I’ve noticed that in the hot summer heat here in Colorado, the keypad can get a bit finniky with touches. Not a huge issue, but sometimes it’s not as responsive as it should be.

    Should you buy it?

    Yes, but get the newer version with a better keyway.

    Final thoughts

    Despite a few software bugs and hardware nuances, the Deadbolt 02 is an excellent product that’s become a welcome part of my everyday life. If you’re looking for a deadbolt that can both give you basic keypad access, as well as generate new codes for guests and service workers offline, this is the one to get.

    Find it

    Direct from Igloo Home

    Specs

    • Door thickness 38mm to 50mm
    • Clearance from door edge >110mm
    • Type of door Wooden doors (right/left-hand compatible)
    • Outer body 60x142x30 (mm)
    • Inner body 65x160x50(mm)
    • Weight 1.50kg
    • Outer body Zn, ABS
    • Inner body Zn, ABS
    • Operation method PIN code, Bluetooth Key, Emergency Key (2 provided)
    • Color Black
    • Operation temperature 0°C ~40°C
    • Emergency Power DC9V Alkaline Battery (not included)
    • Certification IP45 (advise to install under sheltered areas)
    • Power 4 AA Batteries (lasts up to 9 months)
    • Warranty 1 year on electronic/mechanical defects
  • A Week In San Francisco Thanks to AirBnB

    A Week In San Francisco Thanks to AirBnB

    This week I’ll be staying in San Francisco, thanks to a sweet hook up from AirBnB. I’ll be staying with host Kendra, and miraculously paying $20/night. Awesome!

  • Read These Tips, or Nobody Will Ever Let You Be an Airbnb Guest Again

    Since being forced to suspend my AirBnB’ing of my apt in NYC, I don’t really have to take these pointers into account anymore, they’re still good to know. In my time hosting AirBnB guests at my apartment, I’ve seen a seriously wide range of interesting people and strange behavior.

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    The list in short, with my comments on personal experiences:

    BEFORE BOOKING:

    • Don’t ask to see the place.
      • Yep, this has certainly happened to me. People wanting to check the place out for their parents booking, or whatever reason. Way too much time involved in this. Are my 20 professional photos and numerous reviews and extensive description not enough?
    • Don’t ask to pay in cash.
      • Has definitely happened to me. And no, I will not accept cash. That’s the whole reason I like using AirBnB – they handle the payments.
    • Don’t ask what it will cost.
      • Use the website, it calculates the cost for your automatically. That’s why the website is there. Use it.
    • Don’t ask questions the listing already answers.
      • See that extensive FAQ section in the description? Read it. It has all of the answers. Out of all of the questions about my place I’ve gotten, only about 5% of them have been legit questions that were A. Important and B. Not covered in my description.
    • Don’t flirt.
      • Yeah, French girls coming to NYC on holiday? Don’t flirt with me, I’m not going to give you a discount. Has happened twice.
    • Don’t ignore your email.
      • Waiting to respond to my requests for confirmation, or other info from you until the day before your arrive is not ok. That’s why I didn’t have the air mattress set up for you – because I left town 3 days prior to your arrival, but you didn’t bother answering my email regarding the air mattress until right before you got on the plane. Fail.
    • Don’t miss arrival and departure times
      • If you show up 3 hours early, I’ll still be trying to get out of the apartment. Has happened to me numerous times.

    DURING AND AFTER A STAY

    • Gifts aren’t necessary (but they are appreciated!)
      • I’ve never gotten a gift from a guest, but I have always left my guests with gifts of wine and chocolate.
    • Be considerate with company
      • I had two drunk french guests go into the wrong door – at the building next to mine which looks almost identical except for the number. They went up to the apartment with the same number as my own, and when their key naturally didn’t work in the door, they started pounding on the door and yelling. At 4 in the morning. Not ok.
    • Ask about the bathroom schedule
      • Actually, hasn’t been an issue.
    • Go out and have fun
    • Clean up
    • Communicate problems or questions
    • Respect the review
      • If you’re disappointed in the apartment because you didn’t read the specific description, don’t take it out in the review. Know what you’re getting, and be reasonable about your expectations.

    The full list:

    Read These Tips, or Nobody Will Ever Let You Be an Airbnb Guest Again.

  • How About A Rent-By-Day Office to Accompany your AirBnB apt? Loosecubes.

    How About A Rent-By-Day Office to Accompany your AirBnB apt? Loosecubes.

    Good friend Kelly just shared this new site with me. Loosecubes is like the AirBnB for officespace. Companies can post their free desk and office space on the site, and workers of all types – freelancers, travelers, etc can find temporary working space at those open desks.

    Loosecubes’ blurb:

    What is Loosecubes?
    Loosecubes is a global office sharing community. We connect members who have an empty desk, studio or sofa with other members who need a productive and inspiring place to work. Loosecubes makes it easy to find the right people to share your workday with.

    How does it work?
    Loosecubes matches business owners who have extra space to share by the day with members who need a place to work every now and again. Entrepreneurs, travelers, remote workers and independents can find a great workspace wherever and whenever they need it.

    Things seem to be going well for Loosecubes. They were written up in JWT’s 100 Things To Watch in 2012, and were recently featured in a Smart Planet Blog Post. I’ll definitely be signing up, as a renter right now, and possibly a host soon, depending on how my new office’s space shapes up.

    I love this new-ish concept of open space sharing. People have extra space not being used, and can put it up for use on an open marketplace. Market forces dictate the pricing, and people who need space get it. Keeps things lean and optimized. I’m a huge fan of AirBnB, and use it frequently with my own space.

    Find shared office space by the day or month on Loosecubes.

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  • Apartment in Amsterdam

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    My own apartment in Amsterdam for $50/night, found on AirBnB? Yes please, thank you.

    Just arrived in Amsterdam. Haven’t slept at all lately, but excited to explore!

    See this image in my Flickr Photostream.

  • Infographic: AirBnB’s Explosive Growth

    Infographic: AirBnB’s Explosive Growth

    Since I’ve been traveling for the past few months, I’ve used AirBnB to fill my NYC apartment. Here’s a nifty infographic charting their explosive growth in over the last few months:

  • AirBnB Gets Major Press from Conan O’Brien

    AirBnB Gets Major Press from Conan O’Brien

    AirBnB has been moving up in the the ranks of vacation rental sites lately. Recently, they had a great promo opportunity through the Conan O’Brien show. In a stroke of guerilla marketing genius, AirBnB got Team Coco to list the Conan O’Brien TV studio as a place to stay on AirBnB. No specific product placement or commercials, just an awesome, all encopassing product plug, endorsement, and extended, multi-night demonstration. Who could ask for anything better?

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  • iStopOver Says I’m a Certified Marathon Host!

    iStopOver Says I’m a Certified Marathon Host!

    Lately, as I’ve written about many times before, I’ve been using emerging vacation rental site AirBnB – both as a Host and as a Guest. I’ve used them all over the United States, and have hosted people from all over the world. AirBnB has risen to capture a huge section of the industry very quickly, laying waste to the look and function of other larger, but inferior sites such as VRBO. I think that AirBnB, with their superior business model and site function, will soon be an industry leader.

    As the online vacation rental property market heats up, there have been a few other competitors coming on to the scene. One prominent one I’ve been interacting with lately has been iStopOver. iStopOver has a similar value proposition to AirBnB, however they take a bit more of a personal and event-oriented approach. Users on iStopOver looking for accomodatiosn can talk to a live booking agent, who then goes out and contacts hosts – like myself, personally via telephone. In my experience working with them, having the personal interaction seems like a great idea for guests – but for hosts, it can sometimes be a bit cumbersome and inefficient. Receiving calls at all hours from iStopOver reps asking me about my calendar just doesn’t seem to work. I’m often times out and about, and don’t have immediate access to my booking calendar. And since I manage multiple properties all on multiple sites, accepting a booking is not always as simple as a quick calendar check. However, I think that it’s nice to have close access to live humans, and the iStopOver site does also have its own booking interface.

    The other distinguishing factor of iStopOver is their focus on events. They’ve been actively promoting bookings through their site by focusing on popular local events, and gathering a database of hosts who can host guests for those specific event. This is similar to what rideshare site Ridehack is doing by organizing carpools to and from popular events. (Full disclosure, I’m currently working on a project with Ridehack.) I suppose because I’m both a host on iStopOver, as well as a marathon runner, I was recently written up on the iStopOver Blog as a “Certified Marathon Host. From the blog post:

    As you might know, the New York City Marathon is coming up oh-so-soon on Sunday, November 6th! This is a huge event in NYC, are we’re so happy to support all of the runners and cheerers in a number of ways. The running community is so strong – we love it! If you’re heading to New York City to run or cheer – we want to make sure you save on accommodation! You can use the code NYCM when booking to save 60% off your service fee!

    Also, we have a pretty awesome contest going on – head on over to our Facebook page and tell us why you’re running in the marathon or who you’re going to cheer for and you could WIN $500 in NYC accommodation from iStopOver! Sweet! Make sure you enter today and spread the word.

    Read the full post at iStopOver’s Blog

  • Infographic: Airbnb, the Expedia Alternative for VC Moguls

    Infographic: Airbnb, the Expedia Alternative for VC Moguls

    Another day, another great infographic. And another great piece of news about fast growing website AirBnB. I’ve been an AirBnB traveler and host for some time now, and absolutely love the site. Here are two infographics covering their explosive growth, coutesty of Fast Co Design.

    Infographic of the Day: Airbnb, the Expedia Alternative for VC Moguls | Co. Design

  • Becoming an AirBnB Superhost

    Becoming an AirBnB Superhost

    This summer since I’ve been traveling – a lot. However, I’m still keeping my apartment in NYC, because of its great location, and so I can have a place to crash and refuel between adventures. Keeping an apartment but not living in it full time is expensive, and luckily I’ve been able to rent my place out quite reliably on new apartment rental site AirBnB. Over the past year, I’ve rented to very many guests, and apparently have gotten lots of good reviews. In a recent exchange with some friends at AirBnB, I was invited to apply for their AirBnb Superhost program, which gives some added services to their power users. I just submitted my application and I’m not sure if I’ll be accepted or not, but for now, here’s what I wrote in my application – along with my intro video.

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