On first impressions you have to wonder why. Is this a product that didn’t need inventing? What was wrong with the way we do it now?
Noke was founded in 2014 after a very successful Kickstarter campaign when it launched its ‘Smart Padlock’ product rating over $652,828 in 30 days. Over 6,100 bakers from 72 different countries made a please and over 15,000 padlocks were sold on a pre-order basis.
The Noke Padlock is a Bluetooth enabled padlock that has been designed with simplicity from the beginning. Using an app on your smartphone and a Bluetooth 4.0 connection, access to unlock the padlock is granted. Simple.
But the Noke Padlock offers so much more and solves problems you didn’t know you had.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAlto1RLark
The 8mm shackle is made with a boron-hardened steel making the lock is incredibly strong and durable. The Noke also incorporates the latest in anti-shim technology so you can rest assured that your possessions are safe from thieves. The Padlock feels solid weighing 319g, has a Water resistant Strength Rating of IP66 and an Operating Temperature Range off -10°F to 150°F/-23°C to 65°C.
The physical Noke Padlock is extremely well designed with smooth surfaces and beveled edges. It is 54mm wide and 83mm heigh making it ideal, but not limited to sheds, garages, bikes. There is an engraved logo to the front with a small LED.
The standard C2032 battery provides over a year with regular use with the app notifying you well in advance a replacement is required. Should the inevitable happen and the battery comply die, you can simply ‘jump-start’ the flat battery with a donor battery providing enough power to unlock allowing you to replace the battery. With no additional tools, the battery is only accessible when the padlock is unlocked.
But what happens if your smartphone battery dies. Noke have also thought of this. During the initial setup you have the option to create a morse code style password. Simply pushdown on the shackle with short on long presses and if this matches your password, access is created and the Padlock unlocks. This code can be as complex as you like making this a really secure method.
The padlock is packaged in a transparent box with a simple foldout set up guide. Set up is extremely easy, simply download the free app from your smartphones market place and follow the onscreen instructions.
The Noke App works with iOS: iPhone 4s or newer, Android: Devices with BT 4.0 or higher running Android (4.3) or higher and Windows Phone: Devices with BT 4.0 and Windows 10 or higher.
You’ll need to create a Noke account before you can begin the setup and verify your email. Once this step has been completed, simply click ‘Add Noke’ at the top right of the screen. Because the app supports multiple Padlocks, you’ll need to name your lock, for example, shed. You can now set your morse code style password, either create your own or allow the app to create a random one. Your Noke Padlock is now set up.
Simply put your lock next to your phone and push down on the shackle, the LED will turn green and the padlock unlocks. To lock your padlock, simple close the shackle and the LED turns red. The App will need to be running at least in the background for the padlock to work.
Within the app you can manage your individual padlocks and ‘Add’ new users. This option allows you to give temporary or permanent access to other users to your locks. For example, your neighbour needs to loan your lawn morrow, you can provide memory access to your shed for them to gain access. For users without a smartphone, Noke do offer a fob accessory that operates much in the same way as the app does allowing access to the padlock. You can also revoke access to any user from any padlock within the app.
My favourite feature of the app is the ability to track who and when each padlock is locked or unlocked. A great way to monitor the access to the individual padlocks. You can also click the alert and be shown a map location where the padlock was accessed something a traditional padlock can never provide.
At £64.99 it is clearly more expensive than the £5 padlock with a set of keys you can buy from your nearest hardware store so can not see every padlock in your household being replaced with this, I can see the huge benefit in replacing the shed, garage and even the garden gate with a Noke Padlock.
Find out more at noke.com