AMAZON KEY SERVICE LAUNCHES IN AREA CITIES

Amazon Key services launch this week in 36 cities, including some locally.

The service, offered exclusively for Prime members, will be available today. Amazon Key allows customers to have their packages securely delivered inside their home without having to be there. Using the Amazon Key app, customers stay in control and can track their delivery with real-time notifications, watch the delivery happening live or review a video of the delivery after it is complete, according to Amazon.

The services are not currently available in Dayton and the surrounding areas, but it is available in West Chester Twp. and Cincinnati. More locations will be rolling out over time.

Amazon Key In-Home Kit starts at $249.99. Here’s how it works:

“This state-of-the-art technology doesn’t simply replace a key with a digital pass code. Each time a delivery driver requests access to a customer’s home, Amazon verifies that the correct driver is at the right address, at the intended time, through an encrypted authentication process. Once this process is successfully completed, Amazon Cloud Cam starts recording and the door is then unlocked. No access codes or keys are ever provided to delivery drivers. And, for added peace of mind, in-home delivery is backed by Amazon’s Happiness Guarantee,” Amazon said in a statement.

Amazon has been expanding rapidly in the Southwest Ohio region. The online retailer has announced fulfillment centers across Ohio, including one in Monroe that will bring 1,000 jobs to the region.

Amazon will also hire locally at its fulfillment centers for the holidays. The online retailer has made an effort to win customers this holiday season through convenience and product options. Amazon has launched its Amazon Handmade Gift Shop, which will feature thousands of handcrafted items from artisans across the globe.