A new way to lock your computers: just walk away
nearlock.me
nearlock.me
Also, how does the authentication work exactly? What's to stop someone from blasting out the same signal that your phone emits, preventing it from sleeping as you walk away?
What are the others?
If my phone is in my pocket (it will be) this takes longer and involves much more juggling than typing in the computer's password directly.
Do not waste your time/money on this app. It may have a nice UI but it simply doesn't work!
After a couple weeks, it became automatic to always move the mouse to the hotspot before I stand up.
Similar to how using a fingerprint for access is a bad idea.
And Command-Option-Eject/Power will pout your Mac to sleep.
Edit: Ah, I see now. Eject or Power depending on the model. Thanks.
Does anyone know of an easier way?
Even if you don't type "correctly", it still doesn't seem like a big deal. I can't imagine anything easier than Meta-L.
Please elaborate.
> I can't imagine anything easier than Meta-L
It's very easy when you don't already have a cup of coffee in your hand on the way to a meeting.
If you want it to lock the screen you need to change your preferences in security and change the screen lockout time to "immediately" for it to act as a lock.
To Apple's credit, this is also still a problem with PC laptops from what I hear.
It seamed like a use-full thing, but when i used it it was actually more of a annoyance than i helpful thing. Leaving the phone next to the computer becomes a no no.
Every time I got an SMS it must have knocked the bluetooth off for a moment because my computer would lock. Really annoying after the first few times, didn't last long!
Additionally, while typing this, it locked and unlocked my computer while the phone was in my pocket. Looks like the distance finder needs to be dialed in somewhat. With my phone literally 3" away on the same desk, it says between .5 and .7 meters. I get that this is all a big tight rope and you have to balance battery, distance, time, and sensitivity. I have set up my upper left hot corner to lock my computer so that is a pretty strong habit right now. This, however seems to be a pretty good option in the cases that I miss or forget to do so.
"Be aware that location signals can be replicated or manipulated — someone with access to specialised equipment could unlock your device."
DO NOT BUY THIS APP. I have a MBPr (late 2013) and an iPhone 6+, I might understand if I was using older hardware but I'm not. EVERY time I walk away for more than 5 minutes or so the app "forgets" the computer and will not unlock it. If you open the app it wants to walk you through pairing again. I am very disappointed as I paid for pro as well and this does not work as advertised.
(edit) Ethics, not everyone's cup o'tea. Got it.
Locking the Mac requires me to go to the Knock menu bar and clicking "Lock" with my mouse. I suppose this can be remedied by setting up an applescript shortcut and running it quickly via Spotlight Search.
Secondly, when it locks it - the screen goes black. I don't necessarily want this, as I don't want to "wake up" the computer when I return first using my keyboard. It takes a split second or so before I get to the password prompt (I have to tap a key on the keyboard or move the mouse) at which point I can knock on the phone twice to get in.
Thirdly, this is not the fault of the app - but I can type my 8 character long password faster than I'm able to (on average) locate my phone and tap it twice.
Interesting - but I am not sure if I'll end up using this app.
Interface is very slick.
Congrats!
I remember using it at The Party in Sweden, circa 2006. A bit newer then :)
* Go to Preferences...Desktop & Screen Saver...Hot Corners
* Set bottom-right corner to "Put Display to Sleep"
* Then in Preferences...Security & Privacy enable "Require Password after sleep or screen saver begins"