Lockitron allows you to lock or unlock your front door with the use of any Internet connected phone.  It works by sending a signal to a small device plugged into your home’s router, which subsequently instructs the door to unlock or lock.  The kits can be self installed and work with a wide variety of doors.

So how is this useful?  You can provide guests or visiting family with a lock code, and even hook up workmen with a temporary code to enter your home all via text message.  

They plan on launching an NFC Android app for the Nexus S that will allow you to enter your dwelling just by waving your phone over the lock.

Lockitron starts at $295 and is available now.

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Toting around the good old bike lock is a pain in the ass, and literally if you resolve to the hipster methodology (they stick it in their back pocket).  So it only makes sense to integrate the lock into the bike’s components.

The Senza Bike Lock makes dual use of the handle bars. They can be removed and locked together to form the equivalent barrier of protection of that of a U-Lock, which is commonly used to deter thieves.  A double whammy is delivered because cutting the lock means damaging the handle bars, which are an integrate part of a bike’s usefulness.  The design, and we have to stress that it’s just a design, also calls for a rear wheel lock that is fixed in place and clamps closed to prevent the spokes from rotating or passing through the would be gap if it were unlocked.

Caveats?  In order for the locks to be sturdy enough to ward of thieves they’d have to be hefty in build, which means unwanted weight.  And despite the fact that it’s convenient to have the lock with you at all times, there are “rides” when you don’t require such an apparatus and thus the weight is unjustified.

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No lock is safe thanks to the LockCracker.  According to the video it can unlock any rotarty combination MasterLock in about 30 minutes.  Course if you know any of the numbers for unlocking the lock that time is cut down significantly.  Great if you forgot the combination to unlock your master lock.

Clearly the device isn’t portable, which is a good thing.  However, it does prove that a Masterlock rotary combination padlock can be opened using trial and error, but we suppose that goes for any lock of this type.

The LockCracker was developed by students at Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering in Needham, MA.

Via: Crunchgear

I’d hardly call bike locks ‘prison’, but they are a bit unsightly, for good reason, though.  ‘Ivy’, by Sono Mocci from Italy is on the ‘seoul cycle design’ competition short list.  It really needs no explanation, but just in case you were wondering, yes, it’s a bike lock disguised as ivy, the green stuff that grow rampant on the sides of houses.  If I were you I’d stick to a U-lock, and use this to keep my tire or seat in check.

The Ivy lock is made from silicon and steel, and uses a 4 dial number lock.

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Yesterday, we showed you the folding bike, but now we’ve got a great bike lock concept for any bike. The Halo Bicycle Lock (no relation to the game series) gets its name from its angelic security features, including a special design that creates a perfect circle when the lock pieces are connected. If the lock is tampered with in any way, a special embedded Eye-Fi will alert you via mobile text that something’s happening to it. Pretty darn useful, I say. Sadly, it’s just a concept right now, but this is one concept I sure hope becomes reality.

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It’s $2.99 + free ship = $2.99!

When I’m on my bicycle I try to minimize my weight, which means leaving behind whatever tools or gear I don’t need.  This U-Lock tool converts any Evolution and Gray Kryptonite lock into a 15mm hex wrench, perfect for cranking your fixie’s axle nut.  Thanks to their forward thinking design it attaches to the lock when the security device is full engaged, meaning no one can meander along and steal it.

The total weight is 100 grams, 20 less than a 15 mm Craftsman wrench.

There’s no word on a price, but you can expect them to ship sometime next week.

[via Wired]

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There’s home made kit and then there’s HOME MADE KIT.  The ‘Secret Knock Detecting Lock’ is a complete slam dunk.  Built from an adrino board, pvc piping and a set of suction cups, the device attaches to the door and when it detects a preprogrammed knock (based on rhythm – it can be faster or slower) it activates its motor and physically turns the deadbolt.  A set of LED lights indicate when a knock is detected and flashes from red to green when the correct secret key has been entered.  To program the little doodad you simply press a red button and then knock out the key – I suggest doing this on a bathroom door away from eaves dropping ear.  Make this and I’d totally buy it.  Check the video below.

[via Techeblog]

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The product page is pretty void of a detailed description, but based on the depicted key the Impossible Lock is more about solving the puzzle than anything else.  It’s probably best suited for your stash of porn, or on the more innocent level some lustful love notes.

Yours for $205.

[Grand-illusions via RFJ]

You know those tiny little locks you can place on your luggage to prevent theft?  Ok, ya, they don’t actually stop anyone getting in, but at least it serves as a deterrent to would be thieves, and in the event someone does break into your crap you’ll know sooner than later. The USB Combination Lock is pretty much in the same vein. Just insert your USB device, lock and presto, your mouse, USB flash drive – just about anything USB – is rendered useless until your friendly IT team takes a hammer to it.

You can grab one here for about $6

[Technabob]

Pardon me for saying so, but biometrics door locks are often ugly and attract unwanted attention. SmartScan with taste for miles, has jammed a finger print reader into an unassuming deadbolt lock. Just slide your finger under the protruding part of the deadbolt, scan and unlock.

Don’t let this deadbolt’s unassuming appearance foll you; it’s a full featured biometric security system. On the opposite side, the inside version, exists a full keypad for programming: control up to 50 users, and manage 3 level access, which includes 24/7 access (home owners), temporary access (days of the week), and restricted access (time and day of the week). Additionally, in the event that the battery dies, you can just whip out a good old fashion key.

Believe it or not, the SmartScan Deadbolt is just $199 and available in a few different finishes.

Product page here

[Electronichouse]

Losing your keys and getting locked out of your house straight up blows.  If you live some where remote and cold the experience probably couldn’t be any worse.  Or better yet someone is set to meet you at home, but you’re delayed and won’t be able to arrive for hours.  In an ideal world, if it’s someone you trust, you’d just let them in, but how?

Schlage is set to introduce a set of locks, called LiNK deadbolts, that connect to your homes WiFi network and enable the homes owner to unlock or lock the door via the Web or cell phone.  In addition, the owner can also review entry logs of individuals based on requested entry or pin entered into the included keypad.  Each lock and wireless module costs $299.  Additional locks can be purchased for $199 and Schlage will charge a ‘product adoption inhibiting’ $12.99 monthly fee.

The locks are expected to be on sale October 2008 at Frys and other major retail outlets.

[Computer World]

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Features:

• 6-foot steel cable with 4-wheel combination
• Online combo registration (weird)

Buy it: Kensington ComboSaver Laptop Lock – $10