In a move to strengthen its position in the smart home market, Ecobee has announced a partnership with Yale and August to integrate their smart locks with Ecobee's video doorbell and security system. This new collaboration allows users to control their smart locks directly from the Ecobee app, enhancing the overall smart home experience.

The integration enables users to unlock their doors from the Ecobee app's live view, making it easier to grant access to guests or service providers. Additionally, Ecobee's Smart Security system can now be set to lock doors when armed, providing an added layer of security.

While this partnership is a significant step forward for Ecobee, it's worth noting that the feature requires an Ecobee subscription plan, which starts at $5 a month or $50 annually. This move may be seen as a way for Ecobee to generate more recurring revenue.

The smart home market is becoming increasingly competitive, with companies like Ring and Apple offering similar integrations for free. Ecobee's decision to charge for this feature may impact its adoption rates. Furthermore, the company's lack of support for the Matter smart home standard, which promises local control and wider interoperability, may also affect its market position.