How Do You Calm a Crying Baby? With a Little AI, and Lots of Design

I remember when Yves Béhar first showed me the August smart lock. It was years ago, before the product--which replaces the conventional combination of a metal key and mechanical tumbler with an authenticated mobile device and WiFi-connected electronic unit--was announced to the world. The designer dropped by my office at the Time & Life Building in Midtown Manhattan to give me a sneak peek. He demonstrated its utility by using his smartphone to digitally grant me access to his California beach house, right then and there. With a tap of his finger, he revoked it. Today I live a short walk from the Pacific Ocean and could actually take him up on the offer.