Gizmodo: key fob

Build Your Own Keyport for 20 Bucks, Save $280

matt buchanan — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:30:00 EDT

You could pay $300, send Keyport all of your keys and wait for months for your sweet keyfob and get nothing back, except for maybe your money. But then you're still out a Keyport. Or, you could build your own for about $20 and an hour of time your time, using a Leatherman Micra modded with a little elbow grease and key-grinding to hold all of your keys in a compact unit with flip-out action. And just think of how manly and awesome you'll feel after messing around with real tools and sweating. Hit the link for a step-by-step. [EDC Forums via Toolmonger, Thanks Keith!]

Keyport Update: Refunds Issued, But They're Keeping Your Keys

Jason Chen — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:10:00 EDT

Now we're not sure what's going on with Keyport now. Two weeks ago they managed to ship a unit to NOTCOT to fool around with, but apparently there's SOMETHING going on in the manufacturing process that makes it unsuitable for shipping it out to paying customers. Keyport told Josh five months after he paid and shipped them his keys that they were going to refund his money, but keep his keys. Wha?

We wanted to write and let you know that we sincerely appreciate the patience you have shown in receiving your Keyport. While innovative design and quality craftsmanship are certainly tenets to which Keyport is steadfastly committed, it is our customers who serve as Keyport's foundation, and your satisfaction is our top priority. Therefore, we would like to refund your money in its entirety and hold on to your keys. Once we have completed the final design modifications, we will send you your new Keyport Slide. After you receive it, you may pay us what you think is appropriate. We intend on earning your trust and delivering what we have promised. Again, thank you for your patience over this long haul. We look forward to your feedback once you have received your Slide. In the meantime, please let us know if you have any further questions or concerns.

On the same note, they've had my keys since December but haven't actually shipped anything to me yet. They're very lax in return emails as well. It's sad to say this since the Keyport is such a good idea, but you should probably stay away from these guys until they get their manufacturing, shipping, and customer support issues down. [Thanks Josh!]

$300 Keyport Keyfob Dissected, No Goblins Guarding Your Keys Lurking Inside

matt buchanan — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 21:00:00 EDT

Yep, someone spent $300 on a Keyport just to break it apart. Sadly, there's nothing supernatural inside, like a portal to an alternate dimension that houses your keys until you need one. Just cut-down keys with some notches. But! Apparently Chen's keys have fallen into a wormhole of sorts—he sent them in to get a Keyport made back in December, and he still hasn't gotten one. He's been locked out of his house ever since. [NOTCOT]

Keyport Slides Into Production; Pocket Noise OCD Types Rejoice

Matt Buchanan — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 11:20:43 EDT

If you're among a select few with well-lined pockets (that you don't want jangling) and have already placed yourself on the "reserve" list, for $300 and copies of the six keys you want slotted, the slick key consolidator, Keyport Slide, can be yours in silver, black, pink or blue. That's right, they've shifted from pretty picture to production, but they're only pumping out 5,000 for the first run. Since the "first" set is "limited edition" you'll probably be able to pick up subsequent runs for vastly cheaper. Or you could just tie your keys together with some yarn [NOTCOT via BB Gadgets]

Researchers Decode Keyless Car Entry, Can Break Into Almost Every Car

Jason Chen — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 14:20:45 EDT

Because virtually all keyless car entry systems run on an encryption system called KeeLoq, developed in the 1980s, researchers have found a way to break into just about every car out there (provided they have a keyless system). By snooping on the transmissions between the key and the car for about an hour, they can analyze and narrow down the 18 billion possible to enough so that they can unlock a car in minutes.

It's unlikely that anyone besides a sneaky valet or an auto shop will have hold of your keyfob for that long. Still, the fact that pretty much every automaker is using 1980s technology to protect your car is troubling. It won't be long before someone discovers how to get in there without much access to your keyfob at all. [MSNBC via Consumerist via Boing Boing Gadgets]

Keyport Eliminates Pocket Jingle

Jason Chen — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 22:16:08 EDT

Getting more and more keys to put on your keychain when you were a kid may have been cool, but now all that massive clump of metal does is give your pants that unwanted bulge look (as opposed to the wanted bulge look). With the keyport, you're free to shove six of your favorite keys into what looks to be a lighter-sized gadget, easily extending and retracting them when needed. Plus, there's RFID and a built-in LED light, as well as keyless entry for your car.

The thing's still in its design phase now, but you can sign up on their site to get notified when they ship. Personally, we're pretty stoked at being able to ditch the unwieldy keyring for something more compact. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Key-port via Crunchgear]

Best Netguard Keyfob Turns Off the Internet, Saves the Children

Jason Chen — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 12:00:06 EDT

If you're a parent, you probably know how much of a pain it is to keep your kids off the Internet and doing whatever it is they're supposed to be doing (that car isn't washing itself, champ). This keyfob from Best Netguard solves all your parenting problems (yes, ALL OF THEM) by letting you turn off the a PC's internet access remotely. That way, you can be sure that your kids aren't IMing or surfing when they're supposed to be doing homework.

Asking them nicely to not use the Internet never works, because they're lying little bastards who will take advantage of you as soon as your back is turned. They learned that from you, after all. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Best Netguard via Coolest Gadgets via Uber Gizmo]

First Look at the PayPal Security Key

Jason Chen — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 16:15:41 EST

For those who are the least bit curious about the PayPal Security Key, take a look at Popken's video on the thing. Between throwing out racial slurs and making AIDs jokes, he shows you how the thing's supposed to work. Does it actually protect you against phishers? Watch and find out. – Jason Chen

ORIGINAL VIDEO: PayPal Security Key First Look [Consumerist]

PayPal Security Key Available Now

Jason Chen — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 13:30:56 EST

Remember that PayPal security key we told you about last month? The one that generates a random key every 30 seconds you're supposed to type in with your login in order to prevent fraud? Yeah, that's available now.

Just login, click order, and you'll get your $5 Security Key in a couple days. We assume they take PayPal. – Jason Chen

Product Page [PayPal via Consumerist]

Paypal's Security Key Protects You From Phishers

Jason Chen — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 17:15:54 EST

Paypal's security and phishing troubles have gotten so bad, they've decided to provide a hardware solution to the problem. This upcoming Security Key from Paypal generates a unique one-time-use password every 30 seconds, which you use along with your username and regular password to log into your account.

This way, even if phishers get your login and password, they won't be able to log into your paypal account without the oft-changing key generated by your hardware.

Two caveats off the top of our head. One, if phishers learn your specific keygen algorithm (unlikely), you're out of luck. Two, if they do manage to get you to enter the username, password, and key into a phishing site, they have up to 30 seconds to use that info to log into your Paypal account and transfer cash out. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Paypal]