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'Knock' iOS App Uses Bluetooth 4.0 to Replace Password Unlocking on Macs

WilliamG said:
OK so I know this come across as totally shill-y, but hell, - the idea of this sounded too much fun so I just grabbed it. Honestly, even the installation process is more polished than I could imagine.

And it works, perfectly. I put my phone in my pocket, glass facing in, in the Apple iPhone 5s leather case, and tapping the back of the phone twice unlocks the iMac perfectly.

I did find that the accelerometer sensitivity is lower at the bottom of the 5s than the top, so I just tap more toward the top of the phone (which is actually at the bottom of my pocket).

Anyway, A+ to the developers, - this is a seriously slick app.

PS Using this with 2012 iMac.
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Really glad to read this. I think someone else already said it but man, when he knocked that front glass and it echoed throughout the room at 0:39 I physically shuddered.

Now all I have to do is convince my wife that I cannot live without this app and must therefore buy a new mac... naturally. :D



_____________________
'08 MB 3TB HD, 8gb Ram - :apple:TV3 - '10 iMac - iPhone 5s 32gb - iPad 2 16gb
 
I've said it before... Apple could easily add Touch-ID unlock for your Mac by prompting you on the iPhone when your iPhone is nearby your Mac and the Mac lock screen is being presented. Have the Mac ask the iPhone if it should unlock, press your finger against Touch ID and then your Mac unlocks.

It is essentially a two phase authentication because it requires something you have (your iPhone) and something you are (your fingerprint).
 
you know I hate to say it but this is false advertising. He makes the screen go black in the video, and in the next clip it is awake....how did that happen?
 
Bought it and I do like it. However there is a major drawback which has been pointed out above as well:

You need to actually wake up the display before the Mac communicates with the iPhone App and allows you to use the Knock to unlock the machine. This means you need to touch the keyboard or Mouse anyway.

It would be much neater if you could just walk up to the Mac and unlock by knocking before even sitting down.

This is not really usable for me this way, have not found a workaround. Anyone? :confused:
 
This is great! I remember using an app like this years ago called "Airlock" for the Mac but it sucked so much Bluetooth power from my iPhone 3GS that I could never use it. Plus it was unreliable.

This is one of those companies I really wish Apple would buy up and incorporate as a core feature of the OSX/iOS ecosystem.
 
Flore said:
Bought it and I do like it. However there is a major drawback which has been pointed out above as well:

You need to actually wake up the display before the Mac communicates with the iPhone App and allows you to use the Knock to unlock the machine. This means you need to touch the keyboard or Mouse anyway.

It would be much neater if you could just walk up to the Mac and unlock by knocking before even sitting down.

This is not really usable for me this way, have not found a workaround. Anyone? :confused:
Click to expand...

If you have to wake the Mac first, what is the point of the app, since one is already at the computer? What am I missing?
 
This actually works splendidly well, however, you constantly have to have the screen on with your password box visible. What would happen with a screen always beeing on? Are we through with the days when the screen would burn into itself..? I don't see how I can keep the password box on at all times either?
 
I'd love to try this; but per their website, it looks like only 2012 and newer MBPs are supported. My early-2011 MBP won't cut it. :(
 
iPhone 5 and 2012 rMBP: doesn't work.

Linking is successful but unlocking doesn't work even though there's that green ring in the phone (iOS 7.0.3 and Mavericks build 13A598). Have to type password to unlock the rmbp.

And what's funny, the logs says:

Code: 
Knock[258]: -[HBLockscreenEfffectsWindow _closeWindow] [Line 108] Ending user activity
Knock[258]: -[HBLockAndSleepController screenDidWake:] [Line 308] Screen did wake
Knock[258]: -[HBLockAndSleepController machineUnlocked:] [Line 293] Machine did Unlock

Should have waited more...
 
FatMax said:
This actually works splendidly well, however, you constantly have to have the screen on with your password box visible. What would happen with a screen always beeing on? Are we through with the days when the screen would burn into itself..? I don't see how I can keep the password box on at all times either?
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My question is, how do you actually achieve this? On the Macbook the screen goes to sleep as well, requiring you to tap a key or move the mouse to get to the lock screen.
 
So it's basically the Clapper, but for your computer. :rolleyes:

It's an interesting idea, but why the over-the-top drama of the video and the overdrawn sense of anticipation in it, like they're unveiling the most amazing thing the world has ever seen? It's a lot of build-up for such a non-earthshattering idea.
 
Flore said:
My question is, how do you actually achieve this? On the Macbook the screen goes to sleep as well, requiring you to tap a key or move the mouse to get to the lock screen.
Click to expand...

It happens about 15-20 times a day where my screen goes to screensaver/sleep while looking through papers in front of it, so it is a bit annoying having to tap a key or move the mouse to wake it up. But, it's far faster tapping the phone twice than typing the password, as I'm one of THOSE people who actually use secure passwords ;)
 
FatMax said:
It happens about 15-20 times a day where my screen goes to screensaver/sleep while looking through papers in front of it, so it is a bit annoying having to tap a key or move the mouse to wake it up. But, it's far faster tapping the phone twice than typing the password, as I'm one of THOSE people who actually use secure passwords ;)
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But what I mean is, you still need to wake up the screen before you can do the knock on your phone. I'd love to be able to avoid this, then I might actually use the app.
 
thank you

anall44 said:
You have to first wake up your Mac!!

You have to manually touch a key to wake your Mac up before knocking on the iPhone. It simply doesn't wake on its own due to your proximity, like they make it seem in the video. When he comes over from behind the pillar they screen jump to the mac being on so you don't see him having to wake it up.

My experience with iPhone 5s and rMBP:

When you walk up to the computer you have to press a key to wake it up, then a green light circles your icon similarly to the light around the Siri microphone. This is when it then begins to contact your iPhone; once the light goes solid green then can you knock on your iPhone... This can take up to 6 seconds... not a long time but since I have to touch my computer anyways I then just have to sit there and not try and type in a password.

The knock pattern has to be have a fairly specific knock-knock pattern, too slow or too fast will result in a decline.

The Mac app simply enters your password into the field to unlock for those of you wondering about that.

I wish it wasn't $4, good idea but make it wake up the Mac so whenever I reach it to sit down it is already for a knock or I can knock as I approach. I bought the Keycard proximity unlock app that does a similar thing. It appears they are all a bit lagging in speed and make themselves more inconvenient than anything else.

I read the reviews before I bought and no one clarified this wake issue so I hope I helped someone..
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you have, your post is a good contribution and appreciated
 
Flore said:
But what I mean is, you still need to wake up the screen before you can do the knock on your phone. I'd love to be able to avoid this, then I might actually use the app.
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You are very right and I totally agree with you!
 
Goodness me, their promo video really failed.

Not only does he stare at the camera in a creepy way, the music doesn't do the product/app any justice. Interesting idea but I can see many problematic situations.
 
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