Bluetooth technology allows you to unlock a padlock from afar
Dog and Bone has introduced a keyless Bluetooth padlock, controlled by a free iOS or Android app.
I've never seen one before and this one works great.
The main feature is the Bluetooth, and with that you won't have to clog your brain with another code to remember or look for a key. Instead, just call up the app on your smartphone and open the lock. It's really that simple.
The lock is made from hardened steel, die-cast Zamak-3 Zinc Alloy. There are rubber bumper guards on both sides of the lock and a rubber door to hide the USB port.
All this gives it full weatherproof protection from rain or snow, and all-day sunshine won't harm it. The lock has been tested and rated to work in temperatures ranging from minus 20 to 70 degrees Celsius (minus 4 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit).
Inside is a lithium-ion battery, which is charged via microUSB to give users up to two years of power or "as many as 3,000 unlocks before a recharge" according to the company site. I used it for a few days, locking and unlocking a few dozen times or so, all with perfection.
Within the app, you can choose to have the lock unlocked with a single tap, your thumbprint or a four digit code. I used all three but eventually stayed with the thumbprint.
The app can also man
age multiple locks and let you know how much power is left before a charge is needed. It also runs a log of the locks' activity to display username, date and time of use,
According to the company, LockSmart offers the highest Bluetooth security standard with 128-bit advanced encryption.
Sharing access to your keyless Bluetooth lock is simple, just press a button within the app and others get access sent to their smartphone to open the lock.
This makes it great when workers arrive before you get home and they need access to a gate or shed.
Once the lock is opened you can remove the workers from the access.
Available at dogandbonecases.com for $89.95.
* * *
Margaritaville's most recent Key West frozen concoction maker isn't just your mother's blender.
Instead, the machine designed by Jimmy Buffett's empire has a powerful blender, which produces shaved ice.
And remember, it's all about the ice.
That's the key aspect in my mind -- the shaved ice.
No more big chunks of ice rattling around in the blender or taking up valuable real estate in your glass. Instead, the shaved ice makes a perfect frozen drink time after time.
The new model has an extra large ice reservoir, so you can make up to three full pitchers of your favorite frozen drink, with or without alcohol.
All you do is add the ingredients and the machine does the rest.
The machine is beautifully constructed with stainless steel and all top-notch materials.
Your drinks are mixed in a ready-to-serve, easy-to-pour pitcher.
Once it's empty give it a quick cleaning and put it back on the base for the next round.
There are even holiday-themed drink recipes on the Margaritaville site, featuring Christmas Margarita, Eggnog on ice and a Santa Collins, which all would be welcome in any New Year's Eve party as well.
The Key West model has a preprogrammed auto drink cycle for getting the perfect margaritas with the right amount of ice and ingredients.
Available from margaritavillecargo.com for $299.99.
Gregg Ellman, gadget guru, can be reached at greggellman@mac.com. Follow him on Twitter @greggellman.
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