Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Hyundai working to replace car keys with smartphones]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/28/hyundai-working-to-replace-car-keys-with-smartphones/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/28/hyundai-working-to-replace-car-keys-with-smartphones/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/28/hyundai-working-to-replace-car-keys-with-smartphones/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Hyundai smartphone for car keys

Hyundai is working on technology that may allow you to access your vehicle with nothing more than a swipe of your smartphone. The automaker's i30 Connectivity Concept boasts an embedded NFC tag that allows the user to open the doors with a quick swipe. Drop the phone in the center console, and the driver can pair with the on-board touch screen and start the car. An inductive charging plate takes care of keeping the phone alive without having to fuss with cords or adapters. What's more, Hyundai says that the system can recognize individual smartphones, which means each user can have a customized experience.

Using the company's MirrorLink, the car can automatically sync not only contacts and apps, but also navigation destinations and streaming audio. More interestingly, the system uses technology available right now, and Hyundai says the system will be available on its next-generation of vehicles starting in 2015. While we're all for sending bulky key fobs to the scrap heap, hurdles like previous owner security concerns and the hitch of what happens if your phone dies before you can make it to your car will need to be overcome. You can read the full writeup over at Wired.

Hyundai working to replace car keys with smartphones originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Dec 2012 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car keysconnectivity concepthyundaihyundai i30 connectivity conceptkeyssmartphonesmartphone for car keysFri, 28 Dec 2012 14:16:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20412716/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/28/hyundai-working-to-replace-car-keys-with-smartphones/20412716/article-detail.xml 20412716 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/smartphone-garage-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/smartphone-garage-628.jpg <![CDATA[Keyport multitool looks to replace your keychain]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/08/keyport-multitool-looks-to-replace-your-keychain/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/08/keyport-multitool-looks-to-replace-your-keychain/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/08/keyport-multitool-looks-to-replace-your-keychain/#commentsFiled under: , ,

keyport mutitool
The Keyport eliminates your keychain - Click above to watch video after the jump

It's no fun to be "that guy." You know, the one wearing a janitor-sized keyring with 20 keys clinking together with each step, making you sound like Santa's sleigh as you jingle all the way to your car door. Keyport has the fix for this.

The Keyport multi-tool allows you to store up to six keys in a single unit, each sitting on a separate slider that can be pushed out as needed. If you have fewer keys than available slots, you can attach a USB slider, LED flashlight and even a bottle opener.

With stainless-steel construction and a variety of color offerings, the Keyport, starting at $49, isn't cheap. And each key you you need in the device adds an additional $4.99 to the bottom line. Keyport will have them cut and placed onto the slider blades for you. If your car requires a chipped key, be advised: that blade will cost you $20. Should you be driving a vehicle that uses keys equipped with proximity sensors, you're currently out of luck: the Keyport system isn't designed to handle those setups.

Still, the Keyport screams "easy sub-$100 Father's day gift" to us. Head over to MyKeyport.com for more information on this keyring-canceling multi-tool. Curious to see one in action? Click past the jump to see a video demo.

Continue reading Keyport multitool looks to replace your keychain

Keyport multitool looks to replace your keychain originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 08 May 2011 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car keyskeyportkeysmykeyportvideoSun, 08 May 2011 16:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19932093/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/05/08/keyport-multitool-looks-to-replace-your-keychain/19932093/article-detail.xml 19932093 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/blue-keyport-lead_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/blue-keyport-lead.jpg <![CDATA[Push-button starts to alter the interior landscape?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/28/push-button-starts-to-alter-the-interior-landscape/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/28/push-button-starts-to-alter-the-interior-landscape/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/28/push-button-starts-to-alter-the-interior-landscape/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The question "Where are my car keys?" hasn't left the building just yet, but is being shown to the door. Why? The arrival of push-button starters and smart cards in an increasing number of automobiles. Now that Nissan and Toyota have added button-starters to their high end Altima and Camry models, well, you know what that means: soon everyone's going to have them.

The tech-ification of starting your car is supposed to have at least two winners: car designers and consumers. Designers can put the starter buttons anywhere and even make them part of the car's appeal, like Jaguar has done on the new XF with a starter button that pulses like a heartbeat when you get in. Consumers will get a key that does more than just turn on the car, like adjust your seat and mirrors, turn on the heat, and treat you to free In-N-Out burgers. Ok, so not really on the In-N-Out thing. That's the next generation.

Losers -- if there really are any -- would be the folks who make keys and cylinders, and the consumers who lose their smart cards. Though key makers will lose some business, there are still plenty of cars around the world without push-button starters. For those who lose their smart cards, the locksmith and AAA won't help you any more: a $250 check to your dealer's parts department, plus labor, will be in order. In the new world, convenience, like almost everything else, will cost a bit more.

[Source: Automotive News, sub req'd]

Push-button starts to alter the interior landscape? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car keysCarKeyselectronic keysElectronicKeyspush button starterPushButtonStartersmart cardsSmartCardsstart buttonStartButtontechnologyThu, 28 Feb 2008 19:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1123599/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/02/28/push-button-starts-to-alter-the-interior-landscape/1123599/article-detail.xml 1123599 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/02/smart_cards_coming_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/02/smart_cards_coming.jpg <![CDATA[Pocket-sized status symbols]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/16/pocket-sized-status-symbols/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/16/pocket-sized-status-symbols/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/16/pocket-sized-status-symbols/#commentsFiled under: ,

Bentley Continental GT/Flying Spur/GTC key fob

It used to be that you had to go out and buy a nice flashy keyring to tell the world about your premium ride. After all, relatively plain, black keys don't do much to inspire others to be jealous, or the girls to be more friendly. If you wanted to flaunt your ride socially, you had to stick the key on a branded ring.

Nowadays, however, in the age of multifunction key fobs, that's over. The fobs themselves have glitz factors all their own. Take, for example, the Bentley Continental GT/Flying Spur/GTC key fob. There are automobiles who's on-body badging is less detailed than the "winged B" on the Continental's key. And it's a substantial, weighty little bauble, as our own John Neff noted when he took delivery of our Flying Spur tester. It oozes quality and exclusivity. Attaching a real keyring to it, like the one in the photo, borders on being obnoxious.

Many other automakers are taking a similar approach, making the fob as visually arresting as possible. Brands like Jaguar and Cadillac leverage their well-known logos. Others go for a more high-tech approach, eschewing the traditional key altogether in favor of keyless entry and start systems that let the fob stay tucked away. Since keys are slowly going the way of the dodo, it's only natural that the electronic fobs that replace them become more ornamental. After all, most of the time, they never need to see daylight. For those occasions when they do, it makes sense for them to be as slick and recognizable as possible.

Edmunds has selected the top 10 key fobs out there today. We've listed their selections after the jump..

Thanks to Lucy for the tip!

[Source: Edmiunds}

Continue reading Pocket-sized status symbols

Pocket-sized status symbols originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Sep 2006 19:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car keysCarKeysfobfobskey fobkey fobsKeyFobKeyFobsSat, 16 Sep 2006 19:51:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/669932/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/09/16/pocket-sized-status-symbols/669932/article-detail.xml 669932 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/09/bentleycontinentalfob_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/09/bentleycontinentalfob.jpg <![CDATA[Replacement anti-theft keys more expense than they're worth?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/16/replacement-anti-theft-keys-more-expense-than-theyre-worth/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/16/replacement-anti-theft-keys-more-expense-than-theyre-worth/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/16/replacement-anti-theft-keys-more-expense-than-theyre-worth/#commentsFiled under: ,

Some people don't really pay enough attention to their car keys to know the difference between a normal one and an anti-theft key, but those of you who have ever lost one will know exactly what the difference is. Replacement costs for anti-theft keys are in the hundreds of dollars, and in the event that a vehicle's keys contain a smart chip that must be recognized by the vehicle's computer, programming costs are in the thousands. Not to mention the inconvenience of having a vehicle towed to a dealership.

Automakers claim that the keys cut down on thefts and enhance automotive safety. The Center for Auto Safety doesn't think the end justify the means, however, and has thus petitioned the Federal Trade Commission to stop what it calls  "charging exorbitant fees for nominal programming costs." Rather than going through the inconvenience and cost, the Center recommends that the key codes be available to insurance companies and professionals such as locksmiths.

Replacement anti-theft keys more expense than they're worth? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Mar 2006 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car keysCarKeyskeyslost car keysLostCarKeysThu, 16 Mar 2006 19:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/599453/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/03/16/replacement-anti-theft-keys-more-expense-than-theyre-worth/599453/article-detail.xml 599453 http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/03/key_thumbnail.jpg http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/03/key.jpg -1 2