http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/a ... r-key.html

There has to be more than a few drawbacks with this.

Oh yes, but many of them are similar to having your real keys stolen, as a lot of people keep most of their keys on the keyring. But they will have to be careful about the range of the activation, otherwise your house could be unlocked permanently when you're in it Not to mention that Top Gear where Clarkson drives Hammond's car away into the road because the keycard is still in range from within the restaurant (but I accept that may have been overcooked a little for entertainment purposes, as with much of their stuff these days).

While I like the idea in principle I do find that the fact that so much of your life can be tied to a single device is disconcerting. Lose it and you are up the creek without a paddle.

I'd expect the take up of this to be minimal tbh even taking into account all the iPhone users around the world, you're asking people to change the habits of a lifetime and certainly not in a fuss-free way...

Also, should this really have been granted a patent?

I do know the patent system's a bit of a joke

It is probably a precautionary patenting. If they did not do it, then some one else would, and sue them for it.

quite. Im rather surprised it hasn't been patented already actually.

I don't have a problem with the 'ikey' per se - we already have rf 'keys' for cars for example and some places uses RFID tags in id cards to control access to secure parts of buildings. Plus there are apps for windows & mac that will unlock the PC if they detect your mobile phone is close via bluetooth. In reality, you're no more or less likely to lose your ikey than the keys you have now. The point is I think that we shouldn't be at the point where the iKey is the only mechanism for access or use of something - there should always be a backup mechanism such as keypad entry or physical key, which is accessible if inconvenient.

My worry is that if you lose your iPhone or have it stolen it gives the thieves access to everything. At least there is the possibility of buying a new phone and restoring the keys via your home computer. Though if they had used them to break into your own home and steal your computer equipment you could be in serious trouble. The first problem is would the insurance actually pay out if they used your own iKey to get into your home? Too many issues that need resolving.

One benefit of electronic keys is that the code can rotate. If you loose it, you don't have to change the locks - you simply disable the lost key. This is why most companies use them; although of course they are key-cards rather than something on your phone.

One problem with electronic keys is the reliance on power. My fob for the car doesn't work if the car battery is flat, but of course I do have a mechanical key for that too. Mechanical locks may become stiff or warn with age, but there are locks and keys 1000 years old which still work. As such, I think a mechanical backup is currently essential. All electronically operated office doors do have a key override, as does my electronic safe.

I remember an advert for a similar concept in the late 1980s which Maplin were very excited about; one key to rule them all. It never really took off, but if Apple can make it "Cool" then perhaps it will this time around. At least with a phone you're constantly toying with it, so you're much less likely to loose it compared to a key you use once a day when you come home. I lost my key ring many weeks ago, and it's a right pain - not to mention incredibly expensive having to change so many locks.

Would that count as prior art and so invalidate the patent?

Haven't quite a few cars got keyless entry? I suppose like many patents it could be something quite specific rather than the concept.

I don't think so.

The Apple patent is not for a single-purpose key card or electronic fob. It's for a lock enhancement device which can be activated by more generic devices such as an iPhone:



However, phones have been used to authorise access in the past. I can use my Nokia for exactly this already using one of many available applications such as "LockItNow!". I do not understand the American patent system, but it does not seem that prior art is a concept they believe in.

The US patent system is a mess and needs serious reform. The only ones it harms are US companies.

so they are sticking an RFID in a phone? big whoop

I think it has its uses but definitely wouldn't work for access to your front door (which is what I'm thinking of). It's easier and more convenient for me to use my key when my hands are full with grocery bags. Using a phone would just complicate things.

As above, on odd occasions I've either left my phone inside (but have keys to go back inside) or locked myself out (but have a phone so can call for help). Combining the two makes it easier to be in a difficult situation when you've lost your iPhone - can't call for help, can't go indoors. You're pretty much buggered.

If everyone was electronically tagged like dogs, then this would be a non-issue.

Actually, I guess we are all tagged genetically. Biometrics FTW