Amazon Key service launches in 36 cities, including some local cities

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

The service, offered exclusively for Prime members, will be available on Wednesday. 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.

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

"Amazon Key gives customers peace of mind knowing their orders have been safely delivered to their homes and are waiting for them when they walk through their doors," said Peter Larsen, vice president of Amazon's delivery technology.

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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 passcode. 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.

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