No More Lost Car Keys
Have you experienced panic attacks due to a wayward and unfindable car key? Toyota’s parts arm Denso is here to help, for a 3,980 Yen ($41) fee. That’s the JDM cost of Denso’s key finder, a small receiver with a buzzer and a LED light that can be wirelessly activated by a smartphone via Bluetooth.
The key finder can currently be used only with iPhone 5, 4S, iPad 5th gen and iPod touch, an Android app is in the works. But what if you can’t find your phone? Then key finder goes both ways: It can make your phone buzz. The key finder will go on sale in Japan by 22nd April, The Nikkei says.
Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.
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I can imagine this one feature (as a dealer-installed option) will sell more cars than anything else, similar to the buzz around the Odyssey minivan and its built-in vacuum.
There are only three places I put car keys: the ignition, my right-front pocket, and a key box by the garage door. Haven't lost keys yet. And I'm old.
I've misplaced keys any number of times. I eventually find them, but I would buy this. However, I prefer to buy these products from late night infomercials rather than from a car dealer.
I'm sure I'd want to buy this product. I just can't remember why......