If you’re the type to always lose your keys and have a terrible memory when it comes to memorizing a combinations for your locks, then the Noke padlock just might be the thing you are looking for. The Noke padlock is the world’s first bluetooth enabled padlock and is currently being funded on Kickstarter.
Letting people borrow keys and handing out your combination codes for locks is always risky business, but the Noke should be able to help out. As fancy as it may seem, the Noke padlock is relatively simple. You simply download Noke’s iOS or Android app and the padlock will automatically search for and pair to your Bluetooth 4.0 enabled smart device.
The Noke Padlock
To unlock Noke, you simply press the shackle. The lock will “wake up” and search for your phone or a shared phone (you can do that). The Noke will unlock if your phone is within a few feet. With the way Noke is programmed, you don’t’ have to worry about launching the app first and then unlocking the device. As long as your Bluetooth is on, you’re set.
If for some reason you are uncomfortable with the idea of having the Noke unlocked when your phone is near, you can always limit the range or even turn off the auto-unlock feature altogether. Another great feature you can setup is a notification system which will let you know if the Noke is being opened. So if your family/friends have access to the Noke, you can keep an eye on when it gets unlocked and how often. You can also set it up in a way where others have access at your discretion. You can give your friends a one-time access, permanent (which can be turned off of course), or customized settings.
But with these fancy gadgets, things can also go wrong and they always seem to happen at the wrong time. So what happens if you forget your phone or the phone battery dies? Noke has you covered here as well. Noke’s Quick-Click technology lets you create a custom access code. Simply key in your custom code by pressing on the shackle and Noke padlock will unlock.
One of my biggest concerns would be the internal battery running low or becoming completely depleted. The good news is, the app will give you an early warning of when the battery is starting to get low. To replace the battery, unloke the Noke and twist off the back cover. There, you’ll have access to the old battery. If the battery is for some reason completely drained, you can jump-start the Noke with an external battery. The internal battery in the Noke should last up to a year with regular use and several years if you use the device on occasions.
If you’re concerned about the Noke getting hacked somehow, the creators of the Noke assures us that it’s safe as the Bluetooth 4.0 uses a 128-bit AES CCM encryption algorithm. For additional security, the company has added their own PKI technology and cryptographic key exchange protocol. The Noke is also weather resistant and features four silicone gaskets to help keep the water out.
The lock should be durable as it uses hardened steel and the use of anti-shim technology should hopefully keep thieves away. The device itself also looks pretty cool.
Check out the Noke Kickstarter page for more details. A $59 pledge will get you the Noke padlock which is $30 less than retail. A $79 pledge will get you a lock plus a cable for your bicycle.
