Elgato Smart Key: key watchdog for iPhone and CoIf you like to misplace your keys or leave your camera in places where it is better not to leave it, the Elgato Smart Key could help.This article is older than a year!Almost everyone knows the situation.When leaving the house, in the office or just on the go, the bunch of keys cannot be found.Have you lost the good piece?Or just misplaced in a jacket, trouser or carrier bag?Elgato wants to remedy this with its Bluetooth-enabled smart key for just under 40 euros (RRP).The transmitter, which is made of plastic and weighs only 10 g and can be attached to a bunch of keys, should be used in combination with an iPhone (4S and newer), iPod touch (5th generation) and the newer iPads (from 3rd generation). can track down "tagged" objects.The circular transmitter (41 x 41 x 9 mm) is protected against dust and water (IP65) and is powered by a button battery, which Elgato says should last at least six months.In addition to a Quick Start Guide, a key ring is also included in the packaging.Commissioning takes place via the free Elgato app of the same name and is self-explanatory.Bluetooth must first be activated on the iPhone - the only criticism here is that the app indicates the relevant settings, but the settings page of the iPhone is not linked directly to the app.If Bluetooth is activated, you have to press the blue button on the smart key briefly until a melody sounds.After that, you can clearly choose whether you want to keep an eye on your own keys, but also on your camera, luggage, the car, or anything else at all.The respective profile options offered are equipped with different functions.So you can be informed via the iPhone by notification when the iPhone connects to the transmitter or is disconnected from it.You can also set the phone to vibrate when you move away from the transmitter with your iPhone.In the case of a left camera, but also the key, you can be warned so actively that you have forgotten the said piece.At the same time, quiet zones can also be defined where the transmitter should not report - for example when you are in the office or at home.The app is clear and graphically well designed.GPS locations are displayed to determine the transmitter's last location.If possible, the app compares the location with Apple's map material - you are therefore shown a street address where the transmitter was last knowingly located.The profiles mentioned with actions that the app, but also the transmitter equipped with a mini loudspeaker, should carry out can easily be designed yourself.You can also upload your own symbols or images for the respective profile (keys, car, bag, etc.) - this should make handling easier if you have several transmitters in use.Despite the good idea, the smart key fob easily reaches its limits in practice.On the one hand, the warning tones - for example when looking for the misplaced key - are hardly audible due to the mini speaker.Once the Bluetooth connection is broken, the transmitter also has a hard time reconnecting with the app.In the futurezone test, you had to hold the cell phone almost directly to the transmitter for it to be recognized.Even from a meter away, the connection remained disconnected.If you wait a longer time, there is a greater chance that the pairing will work.But if you are looking for the key quickly, you should not be happy with it.The only approximate accuracy of GPS - especially in the densely built-up city - is also an obstacle if you want to find the exact location of the lost object.The calculated address does not always match the actual one.If the worst comes to the worst, the address can at least provide an indication of whether you actually misplaced the key at home or lost it on the way.The app's signal strength display, which visually displays the Bluetooth signal accordingly, helps to locate the object in the room.The intelligent key fob is an uncomplicated and lightweight utensil that can actually warn you in certain situations that important items are forgotten.The transmitter can also provide clues for certainty as to whether the key has been lost somewhere or simply lost somewhere at home or in the office.The very low volume of the transmitter's loudspeaker and the sometimes occurring connection problems are negative.In order to completely document the location of the transmitter, one must also be aware that Bluetooth on the iOS device must always be switched on, which is also reflected in the battery life of the smartphone or tablet.This article was created as part of a cooperation between mcworld/mcshark and futurezone.atmcworld and futurezone are giving away an Elgato Smart Key.All you have to do is answer three quiz questions.Last week Matthias H. (overoon) won the Wacom Intuos Creative Stylus.You can find more gadget highlights in the current issue 1 2014 of mcworld magazine (pdf).The competition runs until Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 11:59 p.m.The winner will be notified by email.The legal process is excluded.