Failure Modes of New Technology

[alexxkay]

A while back, Tom installed a new lock on the front door. It has fancy new technology: if you have a new enough phone in your pocket (and the apt loaded) you can toggle the lock just by touching it. No more need to carry a key around!

Of course, new technology brings with it new and unforeseen failure modes. The lock plate that Tom installed was a little bit loose. Sometimes it would jiggle in such a way that the powered lock mechanism was unable to actually lock the door. But folks had gotten into the habit of just touching the the lock mechanism and walking away, not realizing that the door wasn't always actually locked!

Comments

[alexx-kay.livejournal.com]

Could be. Apparently the system is at least clever enough to email the owner when it needs new batteries. And it does still function with a physical key.