Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Household

Continue reading USB-authenticated deadbolt lock promises to only let geeks pass

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Household

We first spotted Schlage’s web-controlled Z-Wave door locks back in May, but Schlage was still working out details on everything from the name to pricing, and it looks like ditching that key for online access will be pretty pricey: a LiNK lock “starter kit” will run $299 for a lock and Z-Wave Ethernet bridge that enables network control, with additional locks going for $199. On top of that, you’ll be charged $12.99 a month for access to the LiNK portal and mobile apps, including 100MB of video storage if you add a video camera to the system. Good luck with that, Schlage — turns out regular keys don’t charge a monthly fee to keep doors locked.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Apple’s taking a pretty lackadaisical attitude toward one of the most easily avoided security flaws in recent memory, calling the iPhone’s passcode lock bypass a “minor iPhone security issue” and saying that a fix will be rolled out in September. Thanks, Apple; we suppose it’d be a little too much trouble to ask for a fix sooner, even though you already fixed it once in 1.1.4. For what it’s worth, a company spokeswoman is quick to point out that the flaw can easily be hidden by changing the home button double-click functionality to take you to the home screen, but most users don’t know that, now do they? Way to show some hustle, guys — cookies and gold stars all around.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

What kind of security does $7 buy you? You’re looking at it: the Thanko USB combination lock. It apparently fits onto any USB drive and likely offers about as much security as a UFO Detector or Targus iPod Lock. Then again, maybe your personal data just isn’t that interesting.

[Via Akihabara News]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Household

The Z-Wave standard for home automation has already proven itself to be a pretty versatile bit of technology, and it looks like its now set to ensnare yet another part of your house, with lock-maker Schlage set to introduce some web-enabled Z-Wave door locks. Those will let you lock or unlock your door from your PC, cellphone or any other wireless, web-enabled device — or, of course, from the lock itself. That’s done with the aid of a Z-Wave gateway that connects to your router, which relays the RF signals to and from the lock (or one of up to 256 other Z-Wave devices), and gives you the added benefit of extending the life of the batteries in the lock, which Schlage says should last for up to three years. Otherwise, the details on the locks themselves are pretty light, with the folks at Schlage only going so far as to say that they’ll look “pretty similar” to their non-Z-Wave locks (pictured at right), and that they’ll be “affordable,” though presumably not less than the $150 their current locks go for.

[Thanks, Steve]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Household

digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/gadgets/Kwikset_s_SmartKey_gives_lock_bumpers_a_whole_new_challenge’; No, we don’t recommend testing out your lock bumping skills on any building which you don’t own, but just in case you’ve fallen victim to a bumper in the past, Kwikset is out to put you back in charge of whatever’s behind door number three. Available in handsets, deadbolts, knobs and levers, the SmartKey technology effectively eliminates the possibility of using a rigged key to exploit the lock, and better still, the included Learn Tool enables owners to re-key a lock in under half a minute if necessary. Reportedly, the side-locking bar deadbolt system features ANSI Grade 1 certification and has passed “the most stringent lock picking standard.” ‘Course, it’s only a matter of time before the tinkerers of the world have even this all figured out, but hey, at least SmartKey puts you ever-so-slightly ahead of the curve, right?

[Via Apartment Therapy]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Household

Let’s face it: there’s a myriad ways to open one’s garage door, but you won’t find us kvetching over a new, relatively affordable alternative to the tried and true numeric keypad. Master Lock’s smartTouch GDO is a universal add-on device that ditches the numbers and relies instead on the swiping of your digit to open the connected door. Purportedly, you can register up to 20 users on a single device, ensuring that your entire fraternity will have the ability to sneak in through the garage door if they misplace the house key. Sadly, it’s not likely to arrive before the Spring semester starts, but you can snap one up shortly after Rush Week for $129.95.

[Via Gearlog]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Household, Transportation

What? A month not long enough to scrounge up 29,500 pennies? That’s really too bad, as the limited edition Keyport Slide is now available to anyone willing to fork over the aforementioned quantity of cash. Granted, we still think that’s a touch entirely too pricey for what you’re getting, but hey, at least you can pick between four colors, right?

[Thanks, William]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!