You've been there before: Either you've forgotten the combination to your padlock or lost the key, depending on the model. To end those frustrations, FŪZ Designs has created Noke, a padlock that uses Bluetooth, eliminating the need for a key or combination. It even has a "tap code" just in case you've forgotten or can't use the paired smartphone.
"We designed Noke to be the simplest electronic device you own," the Kickstarter page said. "Once you've downloaded our iOS or Android app, Noke automatically finds and pairs to your Bluetooth 4.0 enabled smartphone. You can name your Noke and even give it a photo if you like. That's it."
In order to unlock the Noke Bluetooth padlock, simply press the shank. The device will then wake up and search for either the owner's phone or one of the shared devices. Noke will instantly unlock if the phone is within 10 feet; the user isn't required to launch the app.
As for sharing with family and/or friends, the Android or iOS app allows the owner to grant access on a permanent scale, to share just once, and so on. The app also provides a history section so that the owner can see what locks were accessed and by whom, and the app can manage more than one Noke padlock, too.
Given that the Noke is Bluetooth, users will be required to deal with changing the battery around once a year. The task is simple; merely twist off the back cover. If the battery is totally drained, owners can remove the backing by using a small pin, even if the lock is engaged.
Supported devices include iPhone 4s or newer, the iPod Touch 5G or newer, the iPad 3G or newer, and the iPad Mini tablets, all of which need to run iOS 7 or newer and have Bluetooth 4.0. Android devices must have Bluetooth 4.0 and Android 4.3 "Jellybean" or Android 4.4 "KitKat."
The Noke will cost $89 when it goes retail. However, backers pledging more than $59 will get one Noke lock for $30 off the retail price. The largest pledge, $449 or more, will provide a Noke 10-pack and a cost savings of $441.
As of this writing, the Kickstarter project has 500 backers pledging $48,946 out of the $100,000 goal. The Kickstarter will end on September 17, 2014 at 2pm EST.
Would you use a Bluetooth padlock?
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