Does such a thing exist (key fob/app combo key locator)...if it doesn't, it should

[pscates2.0]

A little thing you attach to your keychain. It has a GPS or some sort of locator embedded, as well as a speaker/sound chip. That is paired with an iOS app that you launch to determine the location of your damn keys. Or, at the very least, you can tell the thing to emit a beep or chirp to help you locate them.

Does such a thing exist? Is such a thing possible in the sizes/weights needed to comfortably attach to one's keychain?

I've got a scatterbrained friend who loses her keys about as often as I blink...

Was just wondering. She needs help.

:D

[Brad]

Attach the keys to the iPhone. Use "Find my iPhone" as needed.

:p

[Kickaha]

Attach the keys to her wrist. Use "eyeballs" as needed.

[pscates2.0]

Yeah, yeah... :p

But seriously. It's an ongoing thing. And I'm sure she's not alone. For older people it could be quite handy. Hell, I'd have one! How complicated/expensive could it possibly be?

There are way more idiotic apps/ideas than this, you gotta admit. :)

[screensaver400]

An iPhone app would probably be overkill. A little keyfob with a loud buzzer activated by a button push from a remote should work. Would just need a few hundred foot range. Bolt the remote to the wall and you're all set.

I'm sure something like this exists.

[tomoe]

Get her a spiral wrist coil or carabiner.

[pscates2.0]

Well this all went over like a poot in church.

[Dave]

I've never heard that phrase before. Do I want to know?

[Brad]

I saw this picture and thought of this thread.

http://uploads.notempire.com/images/uploads/pentax-2.jpg

Maybe my suggestion isn't far off? ;)

[chucker]

This sounds a lot like what Woz's company Wheel of Zeus was working on before it went down under. Or, like what Zoombak actually offers. Even with an iPhone app.

[pscates2.0]

Really? So 8-9 responses in, someone actually delivers some helpful info? I'll be damned... :p

Thanks, I'll check that out.

My friend (the one this thread is about) left for Myrtle Beach with her son and parents this morning (I was invited but I've got a house-sitting obligation to honor, plus I may need to hop on a plane to Kansas City on one-day's notice due to a family illness/situation...so no beach for me this weekend). But I got her iPhone and his iPod touch updated and tested them both last night with the Find My iPhone stuff, and e-mailed her some tips and instructions (passcode lock activated, my little contact info log-in screen applied, etc.). So hopefully she won't drop it in the ocean or something the next four days. And I know her Apple ID/password so I could do a Find My iPhone search from here if she manages to lose both devices...

Knowing some people is a full-time job. :p

Her scatterbrain-ness just makes her cuter.

[chucker]

Really? So 8-9 responses in, someone actually delivers some helpful info? I'll be damned... :p

Sorry. I'll shut up the next time. :p

[pscates2.0]

No, it was great. I was happy to see a company/product named!

A little pricy and convoluted, that Zoombak thing. Was hoping for something a little more "one time only, no monthly stuff". But that might be impossible, I don't know.

Can't they just make a tiny little Tom-Tom type of unit, shaped like a small keychain fob, and you just buy it and use it with no sign-up, monthly fees, etc.? And download a $2-3 iPhone app to pair with it?

That's kinda more what I had in mind...

Those Tom-Tom car things are that way, right? You just buy them and it works? Or does everyone who owns a Tom-Tom or Garmin GPS thing pay a monthly fee for usage? Are they like cell phones?

:confused:

I wasn't aware. It's just "on", and works. Right? Or do you get a monthly bill from Tom-Tom or whoever?

Why does this Zoombak stuff come with all that?

[Kickaha]

Sorry. I'll shut up the next time. :p

Yeah, jeez chucker, what were you thinking? We had a perfect streak of uselessness going on here!

[Majost]

The main problem is power and size. Wireless tech needs power, and a decent amount of it depending on the type/range. Your iPhone has a large battery, and you charge it nightly (or every two days).

GPS won't work. Civilian GPS antennas (particularly small ones) cannot link to satellites without a clear view of the sky. And even then, you're not likely to get a resolution greater than "oh, it's in my house." Interestingly, Zoombak doesn't list the battery life on any of its products (or at least, I couldn't find it). I wonder what it is. But the problem (particularly for someone who loses her keys regularly) will be keeping it charged.

WiFi is complicated. How do you program in the passwords? And it takes a lot of power, too.

Bluetooth (or similar radio) is better on the power front, but it only works within 15-30 feet. A buzzer would be feasible. I think I remember some really shitty infomercials about something along these lines for remotes. But again, bluetooth is tricky with pairing and what-not (could you get around this and simply use the iPhone bluetooth radio?). A simple radio (a la car keyfob or garage door opener) would probably work best.

[Souflay123]

There is one from Brookstone, you attache this little thing to your keys, and have this locater box that you keep say by the door. There is really only one issue I had with it, the Keyfob is cheap plastic... it broke within about 4 months of my buying it.

[screensaver400]

Well, here you go:

http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/30/cobra-tag-review/

[Kickaha]

Too bad it's Android/Blackberry only...

Seriously, *who does that*?!?

[screensaver400]

It has to keep a process running in the background at all times, with Bluetooth access. Apple doesn't allow that.

[Kickaha]

That's only going to be needed for the 'find my phone' feature. The 'find my keys' functionality should work just fine.

[pscates2.0]

Wanna hear something funny? For the past 28 hours my keys have been lost (I guess my friend is rubbing off on me...damn, I wish she would, but that's another thread :p ). But seriously, they went missing yesterday afternoon. I had spares, but that's not the point.

Found them about two hours ago. Where?

My kitchen garbage can. I don't even want to know why or how that happened. But it's obvious that the "scatterbrain" thing is contagious.

But, yeah...I would've loved this product yesterday/last night. I looked everywhere. The only reason I looked in the garbage was because I was trying to find a receipt (and today is trash day), so I was about to take it all out to the street.

!!!

I moved an empty Walgreens bag and there were my keys, lying on some of a paper towel.

:err:

[bassplayinMacFiend]

What happens when you can't find the key locator fob though? Do you have a locator fob fob? And another one for that? Where does it end??????????????

Seriously though, this would be an awesome gift for my wife, except I'd have to get one for her keys, another one for her debit card, another one for me.... :D

[709]

ZOMG. Ask and you shall receive: Kensington BungeeAir (http://www.kensington.com/kensington/us/us/s/1718/security-cases-for-iphone.aspx) (via MR)