Are keys going the way of the buggy?

I rarely carry more than 2 keys. I think I've tried just about every kind of lock there is at this point, and we have a few different flavors in use.

Generally speaking I favor old mechanical locks for their ratio of security provided to maintenance required.

 

Try putting your fob in a metal container, that should stop them from trying to communicating.

It's a wonder you can't do everything with your cell phone by now.

 

"The more keys you have, the less free you are." Repo Man, 1984

I have one for the car, one for the bike, and two for the house - just because it's keyed that way and we've yet to change it. Also a skeleton key as a fun anachronism. I'm still using a couple of combination locks fom high school, in small part so I'll know when I'm losing my memory. And a zillion passwords, which are of course keys too, and more of a challenge for the ageing grey cells. I'd call the high tech keys like swipecards and passwords 'modern' but that word seems ironically out of date. There's plenty of room on the metaphorical keychain for keys of many eras....one doesn't necessarily supplant the other.

Another classic Repo Man quote, which is apropos for the site if not the thread, is: "The more you drive, the less intelligent you are."

 

Apartment buildings in Korea all seem to have lighted keypad door locks, at least from the TV shows I watch.

I currently have a fob, the door key, the mailbox key, and the gym key. I feel somewhat more secure for having a mailbox key, but the door locks where I live aren't so hot. Such is apartment life.

 

Technology rarely moves backwards.
So I think keyless entry, push button starts, are the future for nearly all automobiles.

That being said, I have noticed what is probably just an anomaly, or a temporary backlash. I own a Honda Fit, with keyless entry and a push button start. I upgraded so that the switch from The Prius wouldn't' feel like such an extreme technology step backwards, and I got spoiled by the keyless entry and push button start. But I digress...

Honda has released a "Sports" trim of the Fit, which seems to appeal to the younger set. And it comes without a push button start, and has the regular turn key ignition. And surprise? It's pretty popular with the younger purchasers.
Those that purchase this sports trim, seem to like the both the turn key ignition and often a manual transmission. It seems almost like a back-lash, now that keyless and push button has become the "norm"....keyed and turn the ignition has returned to being rebellious and "cool".
So there is still an audience of car buyers that don't necessarily want the insulation and convenience of the latest in hands free technology. Also a specific audience looking for a clutch and a manual transmission. Personally? I'm glad to see it.

But things change.

I was recently looking for a new wallet. The ancient one I had kept for Centuries finally gave up.
When I started looking, I was surprised to find "Wallets" had changed.
There were so many options called "Minimalist" that were designed to hold ID and a few cards, but really not designed to hold "Money". This was actually a selling feature.
It occurred to me that with the younger generation and internet commerce, and "swipe" and buy technology....carrying money has gone out of vogue. So their priority with wallets, isn't the same. They don't want something bulky that holds a lot of "money".
Yes, I could still find a classic enough billfold, but I had to dig through the "minimalist" ID and Card Holders.
My connective point being, I think the next Generation has grown up with touch screens, blue tooth, and a expected level of hands free expectations.
The Fit is Honda's entry level vehicle, and although you do have to upgrade, it comes with Keyless and Push Button. Therefore, I don't think we are that far from that being the standard, even on entry level vehicles.
Some days I don't feel so old. But I find myself explaining my Television Sound Bar that actually is corded and plugs into the television. I find myself explaining "Cords" and a time when speakers were plugged into the source directly.
If I live long enough? I'm pretty sure I'll be explaining automobiles with "Keys".
Maybe I'll keep a few pictures in my ancient non-minimalist wallet, and I can show them...well "printed" pictures at the same time.

 

I've seen a trend of improvement in electronic locks, and I'm certain we will eventually get to a point where even the worst of them can inspire the confidence required of a security product. But it looks like there will be a few more struggles along that path.

 

I can confirm the difficulty in finding a decent wallet. It has changed quite a bit. I probably should have purchased two.

Regarding not carrying cash, last week I had a ~18 year oldish young lady actually count my silver and bills back to me by starting with the purchase price and counting the change back to the $20.00 that I handed her. I was quite startled. It was nice, but I'd not had anyone do that "well or correctly" in 15+ years. I complimented her and told her how rare her skill was.

 

I've gone the front pocket route for wallets. While the selection has improved, most are using magnets for the cash clip. There are businesses still swiping cards instead reading the chip.

 

Judging by your signature, you have 4 cars. 4 fobs are way bigger than 4 keys. How do you carry all that fobbage? Maybe only grab the one you need to use? I have all keys to all cars and house on my ring. I am still well in the past with this. But only because fobs are less reliable, bulkier and arguably less secure. Having said that, I LOVE my Prius's sks. I just wish the fob was smaller, at most the size of a normal house key. I can easily give up the buttons on it, which I never use anyway. Just an RFID chip and a metal key could be very small and not need a battery (RFID reader provides the power, not the tag on the fob). If this were the case I'd be all in.

 

I have 3 fobbed vehicles and only carry the FOB of the vehicle I'm driving. If I'm alone, I carry both FOB's for that vehicle in different pockets.

 

Why carry two FOB's for the same car?

 

Only when, It's just me . . . . on a road trip . . . . alone. Lose one and you're toast. It's a belt & suspenders thing.

 

Yeah it's happening so fast. I do feel like a dinosaur as I peel off 10's, 20's, 50's, dole out coins. I've got credit cards, use them, but: it's too damn easy to spend, that's why I like the physicality of cash, the little bit of pain every time you part with some of it.

Way-back-when it was checks. That is really going the way of the dodo: I still occasionally cut a check, for big items, getting a new fence, the property taxes, stuff like that. It occurs to me: they don't teach cursive anymore in school, maybe we're headed for a signature crunch?

 

I am totally opposite. If I have cash on me, I tend to use more than buying with a credit card. For one thing, I hate carrying loose change in my pocket, so I tend to leave change especially coins when I use bills. With a credit card, I get 2-4% cash-back instead. I almost never carry cash with me. In fact my wallet is nothing but just a slim card holder.

 

You need a battery on the fob to allow the RFID chip to be read at range. The Model 3 key is just a credit card sized piece with the chip, and it has to be held by the door to unlock the car. There is an optional fob, but Tesla intended for people to use a paired phone as the SKS fob.

No more checks here. Last set I got was for linking an online savings account with strict security protocols.

 

Our chip CC readers aren't contactless. They need to be inserted into the reader. I think costs are what is keeping some businesses from switching.

 

Yeah, Canadian bills are made of plastic.