key fob
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New Toyota cars don't include remote starting on key fobs
Toyota has confirmed that new Toyota cars won't include remote starting from their key fobs — you'll have to use the mobile app.
Researchers found another way to potentially clone Model S key fobs
Last year, researchers discovered a vulnerability in the Tesla Model S key fob that would've allowed thieves to clone it in just a couple of seconds. The automaker and the key fob's manufacturer, Pektron, created a new version that upgrades its 40-bit encryption to an 80-bit one to make it harder to crack. But now Lennert Wouters of Belgian university KU Leuven has revealed (as reported by Wired) that it's still possible to wirelessly crack the new key fob's encryption.
Kia made a tiny Faraday cage to protect your wireless key from thieves
Many existing keyless entry systems aren't secure, but few people are likely to replace their cars just to reduce the chances of a determined thief making off with their ride. Kia UK has an official stopgap solution, though. It's taking a cue from third parties and releasing KiaSafe, a case that serves as a minuscule Faraday cage to block the key's wireless signals. There's nothing particularly special to it -- it's ultimately a metal-lined pouch -- but that's all might you need to prevent someone from swiping your car while you're asleep.
Navin miniHomer keychain GPS will lead you to your car, won't help find your keys
Still have a bit more room on that keychain ring next to your DAP, photo frame, Atari controller and, um, keys? Then you might want to keep an eye out for Navin's new miniHomer GPS compass, which won't give you actual turn-by-turn directions, but will at least point you towards up to five different locations of your choosing (including your car's spot in the parking lot). To ensure the device keeps on ticking during particularly arduous trips away from your car, the miniHomer is also waterproof to IPX7 standards, and it promises a "low power consumption," although Navin doesn't seem to be making any firm promises about battery life just yet (it's recharged via USB). It also isn't saying anything about a price, but it looks like this one should be out sometime in November.[Via SlashGear]
Nike+iPod gets repurposed as wireless key fob
Got a Nike+iPod kit laying around but not doing much exercising with it? Then you might want to follow the lead of SparkFun's Nate, who took the device and turned it into a decidedly non-exercise minded wireless key fob -- or iFob, as Nate has dubbed it. That, as you might expect, isn't exactly a completely straightforward process, and also involves putting an Arduino Pro Mini into the mix, not to mention a bit of minor surgery to both your car and your car's original key fob. If that doesn't scare you off, however, you can find the complete instructions and plenty of helpful pics at the link below, although you're on your own if you want to build something that actually starts your car.[Via GadgetReview]
Cellphone jammer crammed into key fob, ends texting / talking while driving
Face it, kids. You missed the best time to be a teenager by around five or so years. As it stands now, technology is cutting into that adolescent fun, with device like Ford's MyKey and this one here ensuring that you're actually safe behind the wheel. In all seriousness, the terribly named Key2SafeDriving is a fine concept (at least in the parent's eye), as it fuses a cellphone jammer (of sorts) into a key fob in order to put the kibosh on freeway conversations. Essentially, the signal blocking kicks into action anytime the "key" portion is flicked out, connecting to a handset via Bluetooth or RFID and forcing it into "driving mode." No actual jamming, per se, is going on; it's more like a manual override of the ringer. Anyone who phones / texts you while you're safely driving will receive an automated response informing them of such, though we are told that handsfree devices can be utilized. Researchers at the University of Utah are hoping to see it on the market within six months via a private company "at a cost of less than $50 per key plus a yet-undetermined monthly service fee."[Via Gadgets-Weblog]
Keyport Slide now ready for your $295
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]
Rogue vehicle leaves motorists stranded in car park
We've definitely heard of cellphones causing certain keys to not work properly, but this story just takes the proverbial cake. For reasons unknown, a small family car left in a UK car park was found to be intermittently sending out signals which blocked over a dozen other key fobs from functioning. Reportedly, the vehicle's owner was "unaware of the problems his car had been causing," but the malicious whip had been setting off alarms and leaving motorists without a way to unlock and / or crank up their own rides. Interestingly, there's no mention as to what exactly was wreaking all that havoc, but the owner of the ill-willed motorcar has reportedly promised to fix the issue (or call off the prank). [Via TheRegister]
Keyport availability announced, priced outrageously
Those actually looking forward to snapping up the oh-so-capable Keyport keyholder can commence celebrating, as the firm has just announced that sales have begun and that the first batch will ship out worldwide next month. Interestingly, it looks like you'll have to inquire yourself if seeking more details about general pricing and specifications, but we are told that a Limited Edition Keyport Slide will soon be available to those select individuals on the "reserve list" for a staggering $295. And that's not even including the $75 shipping fee for those outside of America (saywha?) plus applicable duties / taxes. We'll be sticking with the oval, thanks.
Freedom Input's Bluetooth GPS receiver hangs on your keychain
It's not like the Bluetooth GPS receiver market really needed another combatant, but for those who prefer carrying as much as of their life as possible on a key ring, this one's for you. Coming in at a minuscule 1.54- x 1.3- x 0.79-inches in size, this SiRF Star III-equipped device can connect simultaneously to up to 20 satellite channels, operate for ten hours on a single charge, sports a tracking sensitivity of 159 dBm, supports an external antenna, and purportedly plays nice with your BT-enabled device from up to ten meters away thanks to Bluetooth 2.0. Charging is handled by the included cigarette adapter or USB charger, and while we wouldn't be keen on losing a $99.99 receiver right along with our keys, this should prove quite convenient if you're the organized type.[Via NaviGadget]
Nissan NA warns that cellphones could disable intelligent keys
For proud owners of Nissan's newest Altima or Infiniti's G35 sedan, we certainly hope you don't habitually stuff your shiny new I-Key in the same pocket as that diminutive handset, or you may return from your next stop to find yourself totally immobile. In a rather bizarre (and strangely ambiguous) announcement, Nissan North America has claimed that owners of the 2007 Altima and G35 should make certain that their "intelligent key" is kept at least "one inch away" from their cellphone at all times, as getting too close for comfort could cause the keys to be "erased, rendering them unable to unlock or start the car." Interestingly, a Nissan spokesperson stated that the company found "incoming and outgoing calls had the potential to alter the electronic code within the I-Key," and as if that weren't tragic enough, the keys seemingly can't be reprogrammed afterwards. Of course, the firm assured everyone that the issue was only in "a very small percentage" of the total keys (and cars) sold, and while a new iteration will be out this fall, you can presumably rent a car and drive to your dealer for a replacement if the glitch hits your whip.
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.
PayPal to offer security key fobs for additional account protection
For every stupendous scam that crafty / immoral individuals pull off on eBay, there's at least a couple phishing scams out there trying to jack your precious eBay or PayPal password and access your hard-earned dollars. PayPal is readying a VeriSign security key that will resemble the RSA SecureID we corporate workers are all too familiar with with, and will sport a monochrome LCD screen that rotates a six-digit password every 30 seconds. Clients who opt to use this device will be able to enter it along with their usual username / password credentials when logging in, which would prevent scammers from accessing their account without the key fob in hand. The firm has been testing the device with employees for "several months," and plans to start trialing it with customers "within a month or so." Personal account owners in America, Germany, and Australia will eventually have the option of picking one up for a one-time fee of $5, while business accounts will receive the unit gratis, but if you're not savvy enough to pass on by those tempting scams, five bucks could be a small price to pay to keep your cash out of strangers' hands.[Via jkOnTheRun]
GM announces feature-packed key fob
Looks like GM's got more than plug-in hybrid vehicles up its sleeve for 2007, announcing this fully-loaded key fob set to debut in April of next year. In addition to the mundane task of unlocking your doors, it'll display your car's tire pressure, odometer reading, and the amount of fuel in the tank, as well as let you change the radio station settings before you step outside (we're still trying to wrap our heads around that one), not to mention start the car if you get the remote start package along with it. GM also claims that the fob's two-way community will give it four to six times the range of competing units. Of course you'll have to pay a premium to get all that excitement at your fingertips: $150, and it won't be available on all GM models (at least to start with), just full-size SUVs, pickups, and crossover-utility vehicles. [Via Autoblog]
