Keyport keyholder streamlines your keyring, won't change the world

While not quite as ridiculous as rigging up a Wiimote-controlled doorputer to pop your locks, the multi-key KeyPort "universal fob" is almost as hilariously overengineered. Although not as revolutionary as the company is claiming, the slide-out design seems like a pretty slick way to manage your keys, and they're also saying that RFID and RF chips will be integrated into the device to handle your building- and auto-entering needs. Interestingly, none of the swoopy Flash animations on the KeyPort website show the unit having any actual controls for these features, or what happens if you have a VW flippy-key, or one of those huge commercial Medeco keys, but that's not really the point of swoopy Flash animations, now is it? Peep a couple more tasteful renderings of the KeyPort after the jump, and be sure to check out the "forum" link on the KeyPort website to read the company's blog, which compares the importance of the KeyPort to Linux and, um, Gandhi.

[bs @ Apr 27th 2007 4:45AM]

How do you get through a metal detector at an airport with one of these?

[Tom @ Apr 27th 2007 4:55AM]

Um... the same way you would with any other set of keys? I'm not sure what the difficult concept is here.

[VSHZR @ Apr 27th 2007 5:22AM]

Seems like a faster way to lose your keys

[gaspode @ Apr 27th 2007 5:36AM]

Funny you should mention this,
that is exactly what my grandpa said, when the first key chains turned up...

[VSHZR @ Apr 27th 2007 5:42AM]

damn now I feel real old at 23

[Wilson @ Apr 27th 2007 6:02AM]

don't know why, but it looks bit like a saw which can be used to attack someone LOL...

[benjamin @ Apr 27th 2007 6:24AM]

havent we advanced past keys yet? like to button remotes that will even start your car on unlocking it,, & can be re-programmed to open you house too?
& as for streamline?? it looks huge! i think most cellphones are smaller than that! -hey now theres an idea,, bluetooth to you locks.....

[Chuckles McGee @ Apr 27th 2007 6:50AM]

I think before they worry about keyless entry though, Bluetooth location would be pretty awesome. You could "find" the keyport from your PC, cell or other bluetooth device, connect to it with your passcode, and the unit would beep like crazy. Not much point in wireless entry if you can't find the darn thing!

[PEZ @ Apr 27th 2007 6:53AM]

I think its funny how you and gizmodo are on totally opposite sides of the fence when it comes to swoopy flash animations.

[Lazarus Dark @ Apr 27th 2007 8:40AM]

I actually kind of like it, but it all comes down to price. If I can go to home depot and get six keys copied to it for twenty bucks total, I'm in. If its twentyfive or more, I'll have to think about it.

[JBo @ Apr 27th 2007 9:44AM]

Come on, if you have a VW flippy key, you're really getting what you deserve.

[Rick Lyon @ Apr 27th 2007 9:52AM]

I like it. AH, but how the hell can you tell what key you need!?!? I have two identical kets for two deadbolts. I have the look at the serials to tell them apart. I wouldn't be able to se anything but the notched part.

Cool ida, just not practical.

[b @ Apr 27th 2007 3:20PM]

If you look closely, you notice that all the sliders have a different number of notches in them from 1-6. Seems easier to remember than a serial number.

[Rick Lyon @ Apr 27th 2007 9:52AM]

follow up- Should of had a tiny labeling area where you could add label 'top deadbolt' 'garage door' 'fence lock north', etc

[Bryan @ Apr 27th 2007 10:05AM]

Seriously Rick? you cent remember that X key is in the #1 position and Y is in the #2

[Rick Lyon @ Apr 27th 2007 10:11AM]

Seriously? No I can't remember given my situation. This thing holds what 5 keys, I won't be able to remember the key order for keys I use maybe once a month. I have a garage opener, so I rarely use the two house keys. I lock the fence once a every six months and have two locks. So I'd have two sets of identical keys. Why should I have to remember which key is #3 6 months from now? Labels are much more piratical. Why should I buy something that makes me work more? You buy things to simplify your life, fumbling with this unit trying to remember which key is #4 is anti-intuitive. Seriously.

[uberfu @ Apr 27th 2007 10:08AM]

This device is nothing new_

I've seen stuff like this before_

The new thing about it is the potential RFID and the fact that it indeed has a shiney Flash presentation [but it makes you lose interest after 5 minutes]

[apothus @ Apr 27th 2007 10:13AM]

Personally i like the product, well designed and will stop my keys scratching my cell when they are both in the same pocket but i think they have overlooked an important point.

First lets agree that this device would be relatively pointless unless it held you car keys? dont most moddern car keys need to be precision cut and i know that many incorporate and rfid like system to disable immobilisers (unless you have a seperate central locking controller).

A fantastic idea but i think it will have a few stumbling blocks

[Ryan @ Apr 27th 2007 11:52AM]

Rick, why not just get key X and Y cut in different colours (no I didn't spell that wrong... Australian)

[Mark @ Apr 27th 2007 11:56AM]

bs - I am guessing you could just put it in the little tray @ the metal detector.

If I am going RFID I am not going to use that thing. I'll get the chip injected into my hand.

[TIMMAH! @ Apr 27th 2007 12:45PM]

Finally a way to carry my keys without puncturing my scrotum!!! Yay! (I still don't put pens in my pocket though...)

[notgonna @ Apr 27th 2007 12:59PM]

I can't think of a better engineered device for snapping off an ignition key.

[N. @ Apr 27th 2007 1:36PM]

Rick - you have a key on your keychain you use twice a year? That's kinda pointless.

[Rick Lyon @ Apr 27th 2007 3:28PM]

Of course it is, but can you remember what key is in slot #5 6 months of non usage from now? It's not that I remembered the serial number, it's the serial is different so I can distinguish which is the newer key and therefore the top lock. The numbers on the sliders still don't help for remembering similar looking keys that you don't use weekly. It'd be easier to look at a key and remember where it goes as opposed to looking at #4 and trying to remember if that's the right key.

[KC @ Apr 27th 2007 5:35PM]

Is that a keyport, or are you just happy to see me?

[Z @ Apr 27th 2007 7:32PM]

I'd love to have one of these. I hope they can deliver on the RFID ignition and alarm features.

[OddManOut @ Apr 27th 2007 11:00PM]

"Should of had a tiny labeling area where you could add label 'top deadbolt' 'garage door' 'fence lock north', etc"

Yeah, I was thinking like the other poster, but I'd just have the buttons be different colors.

Or 'colours' for those of you in Oz or the UK :)

Can I substitute a knife blade/can opener/bottle opener/screw driver etc for one or more of the blades ?

Bah...I should probably just stick to my SAK + Lockpick Jacknife as fobs setup...

[garratt @ Apr 28th 2007 12:07AM]

Seems like a pretty novel idea. But the idea of sliding each individual key out seems rather time consuming; SPRING LOADED deployment and retraction would be a MUST. If that were the case i think the same would go for this product. Read: cellphone, IPOD, creditcard, metrocard and keys same pocket NO SCRATCHES!!! The implications for this are huge, if done right.

[garratt @ Apr 28th 2007 12:27AM]

Seems like the natural evolution of one of the few things that we all use everyday but that has gone more or less unchanged for generations.

[garratt @ Apr 28th 2007 12:27AM]

Seems like the natural evolution of one of the few things that we all use everyday but that has gone more or less unchanged for generations.

[benjamin @ Apr 28th 2007 7:13PM]

oddmanout is getting close,, why dont swiss army knives get in on the action,, maybe if you forget which key is which it could have a flashing light & a voice that tells you what key it is for (really,, if you forget what key#4  are for, your gunna forget what they are on your keychain too) & empty port #6 is for collecting pocket lint

[tekdemon @ Apr 29th 2007 5:39PM]

Go figure that so many random ideas I thought of years ago would actually show up on Engadget this last week (the other one was the fact that Colorware actually exists...I thought about starting a company to do just that...when I was 16, then realized people probably wouldn't care too much for the insane price premiums I'd have to charge...oh well, guess colorware made it work).

BTW, my version of the keyport was somewhat cooler than this implementation, but at least this one isn't vaporware ;)