LAKE FOREST, Calif., Oct. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Kwikset®, a leading brand of the Hardware & Home Improvement (HHI) division of Spectrum Brands Holdings (NYSE: SPB), answers consumer demand for both convenience and security with its Kevo™ smart lock. The highly anticipated Bluetooth®-enabled deadbolt is now available to order and begins shipping today to homes across America. By simply installing Kevo and downloading the mobile app, your iPhone® becomes your key. Convenient and versatile, Kevo gives owners the ability to unlock the door with their smartphone and a simple touch; send electronic keys (eKeys) to family, friends and service people; and receive notifications whenever a user enters or exits their door.

"Kevo is not just another lock, it represents a shift in lifestyle for busy homeowners. Whether keeping track of your teenage daughter, granting temporary access to a housecleaner or monitoring your front door activity while on vacation, Kevo redefines the meaning of smart, simple security," said Greg Gluchowski, president, Kwikset.

The Total Key Management Solution
Using the Kevo mobile app, homeowners can send eKeys to family, friends or service people, anytime, anywhere. Once an eKey is sent, recipients can simply download the mobile app, if they don't already have it installed, keep their iPhone in their purse or pocket and unlock the door with a simple touch. With several levels of permissions, Kevo Owners and Administrators have authorization to send, delete and disable eKeys within seconds. After distributing eKeys, they can choose to receive notifications when a user locks or unlocks the door, for convenient home security management. Homeowners agree, eKeys are the answer to every-day challenges in key (and home security) management:

"Using Kevo is like living in the future. My new smart lock, and therefore my home, now magically recognizes me by touch. Being able to issue and revoke virtual keys to family members or service providers is priceless. Install was a breeze, even for a guy like me who's never replaced a deadbolt, and it only required a single screwdriver," said David Zatz, blogger at "Zatz Not Funny".  

"I have two dogs that I walk and two children, ages four and two. I am always carrying the kids, groceries and my bags from work, holding the dog's leashes, or with my hands full," said Kathy Z. of "3 Boys and a Dog" blog. "This device is invaluable to me because, instead of fumbling for keys (that I inevitably drop), I can simply touch my lock with one finger and gain access to my home. I always have my phone on me, either in my pant pocket or in my purse, and I can just leave it in there, touch my Kevo and I am in. The convenience factor is huge!"

A Mobile App that Gives You Control and Convenience
Kwikset's Kevo mobile app includes a simple interface that delivers much more than eKey management. After setting up a Kevo account, Owners can customize and control everything through their app, including:

• Managing eKeys and settings associated with each given lock
• Receiving notifications when a user enters or exits the door
• Monitoring lock activity and tracking user history
• Updating Kevo lock software directly from a smartphone
• Instant access to Kevo's Help Center
• Kevo web portal offers the same management features as the app via a browser

The Kwikset Kevo Advantage
Kevo combines UniKey Technologies™, Inc.'s (UniKey) secure touch-to-open technology and Kwikset's 67 years of experience engineering and manufacturing residential door locks. This combination of expertise translates to unmatched convenience and security features that include:

• Inside-outside technology - Kevo offers patent-pending intelligent positioning technology that detects whether an authorized user is inside or outside of the home before granting access, to help prevent unauthorized entry. 
• Touch-to-open convenience - Users can keep their phones in their pocket or purse. No more fumbling for keys, simply touch the lock to open for the ultimate convenience.
• Kevo fob - No smartphone? No problem. Users can enjoy the same touch-to-open convenience with the fob. A single fob can be authorized to work with up to 25 Kevo locks.
• Multiple levels of encryption - Kevo uses multiple levels of encryption to increase digital security and is continually reviewed by industry leading independent security experts. 
• SmartKey¨ technology - Kwikset's patented SmartKey re-key technology provides superior security and re-key convenience unlike any other smart lock on the market.

"History has shown extremely powerful solutions that deliver a simple and elegant user experience evolve industries. Combining forces with Kwikset, we are able to deliver a complete, mass market product that will truly revolutionize the way we gain access to our homes," said Phil Dumas, founder, UniKey.

Compatibility, Pricing and Availability
Kevo is compatible with smartphones that support Bluetooth Smart Ready/Bluetooth 4.0 hardware and have the Kevo mobile app available. The app is currently available for iPhone® 4S, 5, 5c and 5s, as well as the fifth generation iPod® touch, third generation or higher iPad® and iPad mini. The app will become available for additional platforms such as Android™, pending software upgrades that will fully support Bluetooth Smart Ready/Bluetooth 4.0 technology. Homeowners can purchase their Kevo deadbolt for the suggested price of $219 at a wide range of retailers nationwide. For additional information on what is included in the Kevo package and a list of retailers, visit www.Kwikset.com/Kevo. For additional product details, click here. For high resolution images and product requests, visit kwiksetpresskit.com. Interviews with Kwikset and UniKey executives are available upon request.

About Kwikset
Hardware and Home Improvement (HHI) is a major manufacturer and supplier of residential locksets, residential builders' hardware and faucets with a portfolio of renowned brands, including Kwikset®, Weiser®, Baldwin®, National Hardware®, Stanley®, FANAL®, Pfister™ and EZSET®. HHI is a leader in its key markets with #1 positions in U.S. residential locksets (Kwikset), Canada residential locksets (Weiser), U.S. luxury locksets (Baldwin), and U.S. builders' hardware (Stanley-National Hardware), #2 in Mexico residential hardware (Fanal), and #3 in U.S. retail plumbing (Pfister). Headquartered in Orange County, California, HHI has a global sales force and operates manufacturing and distribution facilities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Asia. To learn more about Kwikset, visit http://kwiksetpresskit.com

About Spectrum Brands
HHI is a division of Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPB). Spectrum Brands is a global, diversified consumer products company and a leading supplier of consumer batteries, residential locksets, residential builders' hardware and faucets, shaving and grooming products, personal care products, small household appliances, specialty pet supplies, lawn and garden and home pest control products, and personal insect repellents. Spectrum Brands employs over 12,500 employees worldwide and sells to the top 25 global retailers with products in more than one million stores.

About UniKey Technologies
Born out of first-hand experience launching advanced biometric locking technologies to the consumer channel and opportunistic vision of mass appeal, UniKey was founded on the concept of uniquely combining existing wireless, mobile and Internet technologies to bring your front door into the digital age. UniKey has developed a proprietary and patent-pending "touch-to-open" system that can be easily integrated into existing doors by simply replacing the current lock. No more fumbling for keys when trying to enter your home, but instead securely gain access by simply touching your lock without removing your phone from pocket or purse. For more information on UniKey, please visit smartphone.unikey.com.

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Video with caption: "Learn how Kevo's innovative touch-to-open technology will evolve the way homeowners interact with their locks." Video available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPMf2HL938c

Image with caption: "Kwikset's highly anticipated Bluetooth®-enabled Kevo deadbolt is now available to order and begins shipping today to homes across America." Image available at: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131029/MM06045-a

Image with caption: "www.kwikset.com." Image available at: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131029/MM06045-b

Image with caption: "www.unikey.com." Image available at: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131029/MM06045-c

SOURCE Kwikset