Smartphones To Open Doors For World's Biggest Lock Company As It Eyes Deal With Telcos

Assa Abloy is the world's largest lock manufacturing company.

Last year alone it made more than $300 million, across multiple different manufacturers.

There has been a continual, albeit modest push to introduce more and more electronic smartphone enabled lock systems across their diverse range of products. 

technology companies like Samsung, Apple and Google have been at the forefront of research and development of all things smartphone, ever since Google beat Apple to market with the first Android mobile operating system.

Many startups have entered the market, touting their own novel products aimed at the residential home security market.

Products like Lockitron, August Lock, Yale Real Living and Schlage or Kwikset Z wave, to name but a few.

The automobile industry has long used the transponder chip technology to better secure our cars and trucks, but the residential entry door market has lagged behind this disruptive technology, only due to the issue relating to electricity.

You see, the reason electronic technologies work on vehicles is because vehicles already use batteries to start, run and power vehicle systems.

Most doors in a dwelling are free standing and most often NOT connected to a power source. This has lead to a surge in the number of battery powered products, like the brands listed above, entering the market. The primary drawback with these products, is the need to constantly be replacing batteries on the units to maintain operability.

There are many dwellings that use electric strikes and hardwired electric lock systems, but that technology, even though it has been around for over 100 years, is expensive to install and consequently maintain.

The market is heating up and demanding better electronic technology for use in our homes, but there has been little productive solutions to the issue of the lack of power.

Whereas the market will continue to develop and no doubt grow, I just cannot conceivably fathom the perfect or best solution to this power predicament. When the power dilemma finally gets solved, perhaps electronic and smartphone technologies will provide a benefit to us home owners who dont want to spend the required arm and leg to hard wire our doors, when a totally mechanical, environmentally friendly, green mechanical key operated hardware solution continues to provide ultimate comparative security and convenience for our homes.

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The Ignition Lock Debacle Is Not Really GM's Fault - More Insurance Companies

It is clear to all concerned by now, that the GM Ignition Switch debacle is one of the most sensational news stories of the year.

Locksmiths who work on automobiles have known of these issues for many years and have informed powers that be, in the recent past.

The reports fell on deaf ears, as usual and only since the reports of deaths have authorities bothered to press the issues with manufacturers.

I do find it interesting that it seems the automobile industry appears to have come full circle, with regard to ignition systems.

When the first automobiles were rolling off the production lines, in the early 20th century, all vehicles had the ignition lock switch mounted to the dash, usually toward the center of the instrument panel. This was significantly easier for people to control and away from the possibility of being knocked by a knee or leg. Many ignition tumbler switches were pin tumbler operating systems and not wafer/disc tumblers. Properties inside the cylinder prevented the accidental knocking and turning off the keyswitch.

It was the advent of the insurance companies that brought about a major change

GM Ignition Switch Recall Part

Here is a picture of the part that fails in the ignition switches of GM vehicles, as listed in their recent recall of millions of vehicles.

GM dealers mechanical workshops across the country are preparing to be inundated with the backlog of repairs to rectify this serious flaw that has resulted in accidents and deaths on American roads.


The issue with the $0.57 part is that when it fails, often due to the weight of keys on a customers key ring, it can switch off the vehicle electrical system and computer, while the vehicle is in motion, affecting airbag safety, brake systems, fuel injection and other connected vehicle electrical systems.

Many automotive locksmiths around the world, continue to repair/replace faulty ignition locks across a wide variety of vehicles, not just GM, due to wear caused by customers having too many keys and other attachments on their vehicle key chain.

The expected deluge upon GM and Chevrolet dealerships will likely send customers nutty for a while, especially considering other vehicles (not in the recall) still require to be serviced, maintained and repaired also.

We choose to not offer automotive locksmith services (apart from unlocking vehicles) at this time. Not because we are unable to perform the skilled part of the job, but because we feel that many of the current service technicians in our area are undervaluing their jobs (They dont charge enough).

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Carlock - iPhone And Android Vehicle Tracker Made Simple

 Trust the Europeans to come out with a sensational smartphone compatible product that enables real time GPS tracking of your most prized possession - your vehicle.

This absurdly intelligent idea to use the OBD (on board diagnostic) port, found on just about every modern day vehicle and connect a small (almost hidden) dongle that operates on the GSM network (AT&T or TMobile), install the appropriate app from either Apple iTunes or Google Play and you suddenly have a super intelligent vehicle monitor.

The system works using the GSM (Global System for Mobiles) telephone network, where the dongle houses a mini SIM (Subscriber Identification Module) card that you can purchase from AT&T or T Mobile on a prepaid plan.

 Plug the dongle into your OBD port, usually located under your dash and it receives its power from there.

Install the appropriate app from your network provider to your iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5S running on both iOS 6 or iOS 7 platforms. Android 4.0 smartphones and up.


Currently available across the European Union, the plan is to release the product to the USA and Latin American markets toward the end of 2014.

The product is designed to work straight out of the box, which means no learning curve is necessary for any person to install, use and operate the Carlock. Because the product is plugged into the vehicles OBD port, it constantly trickle charges the built in battery, yet doesnt affect any of the vehicles operating systems. 

The product will come with a 2 year warranty. See the source below.

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Is GM Guilty Of Misbehaviour?

There has been much talk across news media in recent weeks about General Motors and their knowledge, since 2001 of a fatal problem with the ignition switch in a number of vehicles they produce.

This issue relates to the recent recall of over 1.5 million vehicles with faulty ignition key switches.

An article in yesterday's St Louis Post Dispatch (see source below) highlighted GM's knowledge about the problem since 2001.

Summarized from the Post Dispatch, "In that environment, basic components could take low priority, such as the ignition switch that GM sourced for Ions, Cobalts and other models. The right to manufacture the switch had been won by Dublin, Ireland-based Eaton Corp., according to documents from a wrongful-death lawsuit filed against GM. Delphi bought Eaton’s switch division in 2001.

Inside that switch, which cost as little as $2 to $5 to produce, was a spring loose enough to allow the ignition to switch out of the “on” position when bumped, a risk that would grow if the key was weighted by a heavy ring, GM has said. The turned key would then shut off the engine and power steering and disable the air bags.

The fatal flaw in the ignition switch, which GM now says its engineers discovered in 2001 while developing the Ion, has spurred the automaker’s biggest crisis since its 2009 bankruptcy and bailout."

As a locksmith, I choose to not work on automobiles at this time for various reasons. This revelation from GM is further disturbing to the locksmith industry I suggest, because there are many automotive locksmiths who are called upon to make keys for GM vehicles. In making a key for a GM vehicle that has one of the faulty ignition switches, if the customer has an issue, post locksmith service, usually they will claim warranty from the locksmith and most reputable legitimate locksmiths will honor their labor to the customer...

Meroni UFO+ Installation Video - Superior Security For Sprinter Trucks

We recently wrote an article about the fabulous Meroni UFO+ super secure lock system designed in consultation with Shipping companies and fleet managers and auto manufacturing engineers.

We have been inundated with inquiries and people are lining up to pre-order the product.

Above find an installation video that shows the correct procedure for fitting the product.
The UFO+ comes with a unique key cylinder that is copy resistant and virtually pick proof. Keys can be registered with the factory (us) for future origination. Locks can be keyed alike, master keyed or keyed to differ. Fleet managers can use their master key to access multiple separate vehicles as needs require.

There are few quality options available that secure Sprinter trucks and the UFO+ is quickly becoming the sought after solution for companies and owners wishing to protect their valuable tools and equipment on board.

We still anticipate releasing them commercially in the USA this summer. Stay Tuned!

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Firstwatch Securemote - Advanced Bluetooth Garage Entry Product

Residential and Commercial security products is my main focus in business, but products that provide convenience and security while being aesthetically pleasing is very rare, indeed.

The Securemote product by First Watch Security  is one such device that is making waves through the residential security market.

The product is an advanced Bluetooth controller that is designed to connect alongside your existing automatic garage door or gate and provide authorised access control from most modern smartphones.

Intelligently designed with the home owner in mind, the product shines where previous entrants failed.
View the video after the jump for more information and a simply explained installation and programming guide.

Bentley, Audi, Lamborghini, Porsche and other Automobile Brands Security Weakness Discovered - But Covered Up

Megamos Cryptology, the science behind the electronic security of transponders for most vehicle systems available worldwide and preferred by many of the larger automobile manufacturers, has been cracked.

Scientists from the University of Birmingham, had planned to release their new whitepaper at the Usenix Security Symposium in Washington DC in August until a last minute high court injunction by the UK.
Volkswagen, one of the world's largest automobile manufacturers and the principal litigant, claimed the scientific discovery's publication could severely impact the security of vehicles, including four of their luxury car brands, Porsche, Bentley, Audi and Lamborghini.

The scientists involved argued that the technology responsible for leading to their discovery, called "chip slicing", has been available on the internet since 2009. Essentially, chip slicing is like reverse engineering technology, which has been used for many years by countries that do not respect patent laws, to build often cheaper, inferior versions of electronic gadgets and sell to the wider markets.

The argument, the scientists put forward, that insider knowledge (industry and criminal) of the methods to determine a vehicles security weakness should be tabled to potential buyers and current owners of automobiles, was dismissed by the High Court, who sided with Volkswagen. Mr Justice Birss said he recognized the scientists right to publish, but it will mean "that car crime will be facilitated".

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UPS And Fedex Europe Put Their Trust In UFO+ - By Serrature Meroni

Serrature Meroni, the fine Italian manufacturer of nouveau door locks first produced their design awarded UFO lock system about 10 years ago and have seen relatively large demand for this unique product, swell over the years.

Following direct discussions with both UPS and Fedex engineers, Serrature Meroni proudly introduce the latest update to this very special security product.

Answering their needs for an especially designed product that can be master keyed to a unique stand-alone high-security pin tumbler system using keys that are virtually impossible to duplicate, Meroni reconfigured the entire UFO product line and came up with the fabulous UFO+ product.

See the video that shows a UPS vehicle installed with the new UFO+



This fabulous new product developed in conjunction with engineers from UPS and Fedex, is increasing the security of the new vehicles used by these progressive carriers.

See the installation instructions after the jump and how they look on UPS and Fedex Sprinter vehicles

BlueID - Bluetooth Dongle Allows You To Use Your Cell Phone As Your Car Key

Yesterday we wrote an article discussing a piece we found in the LA Times about AAA believing that mobile cell phones will soon replace the ages old mechanical metal car key.

I think, perhaps that article was written in response to a product displayed at the CeBIT expo held last week in Germany.


BlueID is a company in Germany that produce Bluetooth kits that allow for access controls to various entries, including but not limited to barrier gates, lifts (elevators), residential and commercial dwelling doors and of course cars, as seen in the picture above. (see video after the jump)

Ignition Key Transponders Explained

We will soon be introducing Automotive Key origination and duplication to our inventory of products and services.

We spent many of our formative years in the locksmith trade concentrating on automotive locksmithing and have an excellent grounding in manufacture, fabrication and repair of car keys, motorbike keys and truck keys. We also trained extensively in repair of auto locks, especially Asian and European brands.

We have been reluctant to offer this service locally because we believed the high cost of specialist machinery and tools required, couldn't justify the necessary price we would have had to apply, to be able to remain solvent.

We decided a couple of years back to slowly build our inventory and machinery to be able to offer these products and services, due to the increasing numbers of calls we receive.

We believe that it is necessary to have sufficient supply of suitable tools to service our clients and prefer to be prepared, hence our delay to bring this to market. We are not quite ready yet to begin, but thought it might be prudent to post an easy to understand video of Transponder Systems Explained to enable future clients to understand the complexities of their car keys and why they cost so dang much.

How much does it cost to change a lock?

Many enquiries that locksmiths receive, are about the cost to change locks.

Often, clients are meaning to inquire as to just changing the combinations of their existing locks, so they can maintain the same hardware on their doors.

Or when the keys to their house, office or automobile have been misplaced, stolen or even copied unknowingly (suspected), they have the need to re-code their locks.
Also many new home buyers or new tenants want to make sure that previous residents of their property can no longer gain entry.

Locksmiths across the country vary greatly in their fees. There are accepted industry averages published in locksmith publications like The National Locksmith magazine and the Locksmith Ledger magazine annually, but the going rate can vary from around $5.00 per keyhole to as much as $20.00 per keyhole for residential or commercial door locks and from $10.00 to $35.00 for automobile locks. Often this does not include labor for the removal and refitting of locks.

Master-keying is another charge that most locksmiths charge slightly higher fees for. Often, specialist products like Medeco or Multlock or Primus or Best or Assa or Abloy or Bilock products can incur significantly increased fees due to the higher cost for the pin or disc tumblers.

Locks210.com charges a standard fee of $17.50 per keyhole to re-key a standard residential or commercial door cylinder sometimes including labor for removal and refitting. Master-keying is $25.00 per keyhole.

We can offer automobile re-keying services but prices are subject to application. There are many and varying brands and manufacturers of automobile lock cylinders, requiring multiple different keying kits. Stocking all possible kits to service all makes and models of foreign and domestic vehicles requires significant amounts of warehousing that directly impacts costs.

If the products are brought to us, we charge the same fees without labor of course.

Most locksmiths will provide the first 2 keys at no charge. For residential or commercial doors (not automotive) we provide the first 3 keys.

As a guide, we charge $29 to attend your site (within 25 miles of our workshop) and $70 for the first hour labor on site, which usually includes up to the first four (4) keyholes rekeyed.

For an obligation free estimate contact us today on (314)266-1533.