From smart locks to full security systems, there are more ways to upgrade the security of your home with the latest technology than you think. Here are some ways to make your home “smarter” for optimal security, and peace of mind.

1. Smart Locks

Blending convenience, and security, advanced locks allow you to control access to your home through a smartphone app. You can lock and unlock doors remotely, grant temporary access to guests, and even receive notifications when someone enters or exits your home.

2. Smart Doorbells

Video doorbells let you see who’s at your door, anytime, and anywhere. A game-changer in home security, today’s smart doorbells are often equipped with HD cameras, motion sensors, and two-way audio. This lets you see, hear and even speak to visitors at your door, whether you’re at home or not.

3. Smart Security Cameras

With features like night vision, motion detection and cloud storage, smart security cameras let you monitor your home in real-time. Keep an eye on every corner of your home, day or night, and view live feeds, and recorded footage from your smartphone.

4. Smart Alarms

Designed to detect unauthorized entry, and send instant alerts to you for immediate action, smart alarms can be integrated with other smart devices, like cameras, and locks. The result? A comprehensive security system with the same quality that the professionals use.

5. Smart Lighting

Automatically turn lights on and off to simulate occupancy, deterring potential intruders while you’re away. Motion-activated outdoor lights can also pop on when movement is detected, making it more difficult for anyone to approach unnoticed. You can also control these remotely.

6. Smart Sensors

Add an extra measure of smart security to your doors, windows, and other entry points to detect unauthorized access via smart sensors. These send alerts to your smartphone if a door or window is opened unexpectedly, but they can also detect smoke, carbon monoxide, and water leaks.

7. Smart Home Integration

One of the smartest home security options is to integrate all your smart technology into a single system that allows you to manage, and monitor everything in your home from one app. This unified approach ensures that all your devices work together seamlessly, providing a higher level of security, and ultimate convenience.

If you’re looking to upgrade your home with smart home security, look no further than A-1 Locksmith. We’d be happy to lend our expertise, and recommend the right home security solutions for you.

As a company that has been around for more than 70 years, we’ve seen how car keys have changed over the years. Let’s look at some technological advancements of car keys, and look at the options you have today.

Early Car Key Designs

Believe it or not, early cars didn’t used to have starter keys. There were keys for doors (and keys to lock the ignition) in the 1910s, but there weren’t any keys to start the vehicle itself. It wasn’t until 1949 when the starter mechanism was introduced by Chrysler and the first “car keys” (as we know them today) were created. These Chrysler keys looked a lot like your average house key today, and only had one side. Prototypes of “flip keys” were soon developed after that (in the 1950s) and double-sided car keys were manufactured in the 1960s. 

Technological Advances

Car keys took a large step forward in the late 1980s with the development of remote entry for doors. Keyless entry fobs would gain mainstream success shortly after that in the 1990s. Another phase of technological advancement happened in the same decade was the invention of laser-cut keys, and first (unsuccessful) early versions of proximity keys. Different forms of key cutting and shapes were also developed during the 1990s, but major breakthroughs didn’t occur again until the 2000s.

Car Key Options Today

Vehicle manufacturers started making remotes standard with car keys in the early 2000s, and variations have included standalone remotes, integrated remotes, and smart keys. Most remotes have the ability to unlock and lock doors, open the trunk and sound the alarm. Keyless vehicle ignition soon followed. Today, there are smart keys with all sorts of technology, and the features continue to advance. There are touchscreen keys that connect to smartphone apps, and can park the car with no driver, as well as keys that tell you the fuel level, whether the lights are on and more. The future is definitely exciting for car keys!
We hope you enjoyed this short history lesson. Whether you need a new car key or an auto key duplication, A-1 Locksmith is here for you. Drop by any of our Dallas-Fort Worth locations today, and we’ll get you a key that meets your needs.

We’ll be taking a closer look at the latter scenario in today’s post. First, let’s go over the different types of high-tech keys and then let’s discuss the benefits of these keys, which include preventing auto lockouts.

Types of High-Tech Keys

There are several different types of car keys, which we’ve covered on this blog before, from mechanical, and programmable to laser-cut keys, and FOBs. But high-tech keys are their own category, and there are several different types of them. Some are widely available, others are unique keys developed by specific car manufacturers. Let’s cover a few different types to give you an idea about the options out there:

• Transponder keys: These look like fairly normal keys, but have a microchip built into the head of the key. The chip sends radio frequencies back and forth between the key, and the car, hence the name “transponder.”
• Valet keys: If you’ve gotten a new car from a dealership, you’ve probably seen these. Valet keys may seem simple, but they have some advanced tech in them. They’ll start the car and open the door, but won’t open the glove box or trunk.
• Smart keys: With these keys, you can start the car and access the vehicle without even taking the keys out of your pocket. This is all due to sensors, and chips in the key.
• VATS keys: A high-tech key that actually doesn’t rely on computer technology, Vehicle Anti-Theft System (VATS) keys are uniquely cut and feature an anti-theft resistor.
• Brand-specific keys: Some brands take innovation to the next level when it comes to high-tech keys. As this Business Insider article points out, you’ll find keys out there that have touchscreens, remote parking capabilities, and more.

Benefits of High-Tech Keys

The biggest benefit of all these high-tech keys? Extra security. Keeping you, your car and your belongings safe is the main purpose behind them. But they also have other benefits beyond auto lockout prevention, such as convenience, peace of mind, and remote tracking. (Let’s be honest, they also look pretty cool.) If you’re interested in learning more about their benefits, be sure to talk to an automotive rekeying locksmith about them.

Interested in high-tech keys like these that prevent auto lockouts? Give the A-1 Locksmith team a call today at 972-284-7500 (or stop by any of our DFW locations) and we’ll help you out.

What happens, however, if you don’t use keys to enter your car, but instead use a key fob or, some other, sort of keyless entry? Is there any way for you to regain access to the interior of your vehicle?

Don’t worry if you find yourself locked out with keyless entry. To be sure, you’re only one of many individuals throughout the nation who have suffered the same fate.

Key Fobs Not the Answer to Being Locked Out of a Car

Ultimately, key fobs were widely adopted, in part, to ensure that vehicle owners had a much smaller chance of locking themselves out of their cars. Of course, just like a pair of keys, it is fairly easy to accidentally lock a key fob inside of the vehicle. Unlike traditional keys, however, many modern key fobs are often designed to allow for the car to be unlocked as long as they are within a certain range. Here, then, an individual may lock a key fob within the car, yet still open the door due to the fob’s proximity to the computer.

Unfortunately, like anything with batteries, the key fob may eventually fail to work, leaving these vehicle owners locked out. And this certainly is not a rare occurrence; a 2013 report from AAA asserted that millions of motorists still find themselves locked out, even those who utilize smart keys.

As such, it is important to realize that if you have been locked out while using a smart key or key fob, you’re not alone. In this situation, however, it is imperative that you contact a professional locksmith to regain entry immediately.

How A-1 Locksmith Can Help

How can you ensure that you will still retain access to your car, even if you have been locked out with keyless entry? By contacting a professional with A-1 Locksmith, you can receive the assistance of a locksmith, often in less than 25 minutes, and be on your way home. Our mobile technicians carry in their trucks all the equipment necessary to replace both traditional, and chip or transponder keys, meaning that you’re never without help, even if you’re locked out. And, we offer this service at a cost not available at any local dealership.

So if you find yourself locked out with keyless entry somewhere in the Dallas area, don’t panic. Instead, call us today at A-1 Locksmith and we’ll be on our way in minutes.