When I moved into my house one of the first things that I did was hang a hook next to the garage door for keys. Now if I am a good girl when I come in I hang my keys there. Does this always happen? Umm.. no. Sometimes I rush in and head straight to the bathroom. Sometimes I am carrying groceries and accidentally leave my keys in the kitchen. Other times in a hurry I throw them into the endless pit that is my purse. Of course I never think about this until it’s once again time to go, and then I’m looking for my keys. Chipolo can help with this. Chipolo is a Bluetooth item finder. It can help you keep track of your keys, your wallet, or just about anything else that you attach it to.
The Setup
Setup is super easy. All you have to do is download the Chipolo app from the Apple Store or Google Play store depending on your phone. Open the app and set up an account, or login using Facebook or Google.
On the next screen you will be prompted to set up a new device. Click the big + button and put your Chipolo on the screen. This will start the pairing process. I had trouble getting both of my units to pair with my Samsung Galaxy Note 5. According to the instructions it should pair in the Chipolo app much like any other Bluetooth device. However, it would not find either of them. So I decided to try my LG G4 and it worked on the first try. I then restarted my Note 5 and all was well. If you have trouble you should restart your phone as well. Once connected you can appropriately name your Chipolo for what it is.
Never Lose Your Keys Again
The Chipolo comes with a small key ring to attach it to your keys. I keep my car keys and my house keys separate, so I put one on each and named them. The purple one is for my car keys. The pretty bright green one is for my house keys. Now if I cannot find my keys I can open up the Chipolo app, swipe to either my car or house keys and tap the big button. My Chipolo will ring out so that I can find it.
Stick it to Something Else
They also come with 3M double-sided tape so that you can stick it to another item that you don’t want to lose… your iPod, a camera, your tablet… just about anything! My daughter who is constantly misplacing her phone in the house suggested that we stick one to her phone. I just may do that!
The Bluetooth signal works up to 200 feet away. As you search for your item, your phone tracks the signal strength of your Chipolo. The range meter in the app moves to show the location proximity. The dots fill in as you get closer to your item. Tap the Bell icon and Chipolo will ring so you track down your lost item.
Never Lose Your Phone Again
In addition to your phone tracking Chipolo, your Chipolo can track your phone! Running out the door but realize that you forgot your phone? Shake the Chipolo and your phone will ring! And this works even if the phone is on silent. And that is not all. In addition, you can activate “Show this device” in your account settings so that you can view the location of your phone from the Chipolo website. Once that is active, if you lose your phone away from home, or wherever you are, finding it is still possible. You can log in to the Chipolo website to see its last known location. You can also make it ring, or send a lock-screen message whomever might have it now.
Use it to Take a #ChipoloSelfie!
Now this function is super cool! Open up the Chipolo app, and be sure that it shows your Chipolo as connected. Click on the menu (3 dots) in the lower right-hand corner.
Click on Take selfie. Shake your Chipolo. It will beep and then snap a selfie! Yes, I was cold while sitting in my office. LOL. 🙂
Chipolo is available in 9 awesome colors from the Chipolo store. One unit is $29.95, or you may choose to get a multipack. Visit the site now, sign up for the mailing list, and get 10% off your first order. I may have to get a few more colors myself! 🙂
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Chipolo. I received product in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own.
Waaaay cool!