It looks like someone finally solved the “Google your keys” problem in a way that real humans will use. It’s called Linquet, and it’s a little coin-sized trinket you attach to anything to stop you from losing it. This might sound familiar, but it looks like Linquet finally got it right
The secret sauce is Bluetooth 4, the low-powered wireless connection which lets the little Linquets run for months or longer on a tiny button cell. The other secret sauce (this thing is saucy) is the software.
The new iPhone app stays in touch with your Linquets and both the dongle and the iPhone sound a warning when you go out of range (you can choose the distance). You can set individual alerts for different Linquets, and the idea is that you prevent loss, instead of using the devices to find things after you have lost them.
The Linquets have a programmable button on them too, so you can do clever things like make your iPhone buzz if it’s lost, or even program that button to do things like act as a remote control for your iPhone’s camera. And if you really do lose the device, you can check the “cloud” component of the service to find its last known position on a map
I almost never lose things, but I do misplace them. It’s a subtle difference, and one which doesn’t matter when you’re already late for something and trying to get out of the door already.
The Linquets are already available for Android, but this new mini version is launching soon and you can pre-order one for $25. Surely in the future there will be sets, but right now it’s individual only, and the ordering model is an annoying Kickstarter-a-like backing system.
Source: Linquet
Charlie Sorrel writes reviews and how-tos. Follow Charlie on Twitter at @mistercharlie, and at micro.blog on @mistercharlie
