BlackBerry Forums Support Community

DallasFlier · 05-12-2008, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Griffman

No, I think I heard it from GE Security Systems. They were telling me that one of their reps were telling them that information... Even if the percentage were lower there's still a huge market out there and I know it would broaden Blackberries earnings. This is all irrelevant but I thought it was an interesting point none the less...

Thanks for responding, maybe you have some more ideas for me? I would like to somehow use this phone for the purpose of opening these key boxes and get away from Palm Treo's but I would have to do it using some kind of infrared technology. I was thinking perhaps tethering a small IR port via USB cable? There's gotta be a possibility out there somehow...

Here you go, Griffman - turn a problem into a business opportunity if the market is as large as you say it is. Here's a USB-->IRDA adapter for only $6.75 quantity 1, down to $5.40 if you order 50 or more. All you need is the program to talk to the thing via the USB port on the BlackBerry, so hire yourself a programmer and sell the program/adapter package to all your fellow realtors across the country.

USB Infra-Red Wireless Adapter IrDA

stevetaz · 05-12-2008, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by penguin3107

What a crock.
Where'd you hear it? From another realtor?

Could be another fact from the people who told all those subprime borrowers that "Sure, you can afford this"....

SteveTaz

Dawg · 05-12-2008, 06:07 PM

I know 80 or so realtors and 90% of them use blackberrys.

ezrunner · 05-12-2008, 06:22 PM

or they can revolutionize and go with what is being used and switch those supra boxes to Blootoof

RobM · 05-16-2008, 07:31 PM

I heard thru the grapevine that they are working on a bluetooth supra box

ezrunner · 05-16-2008, 07:34 PM

Infra red ports are dying IR is a dying technology in the cellular worls\d

Dawg · 05-16-2008, 07:37 PM

even satellite company's don't use IR remotes anymore

Larry_in_PHX · 08-04-2008, 05:19 PM

"By the end of 2008, Supra eKEY software will be available for the BlackBerry Pearl,™ BlackBerry Curve,™ and BlackBerry 8800 series smartphones. BlackBerry devotees will soon join thousands of real estate professionals already enjoying the timesaving benefits of eKEY service on their Palm and Windows Mobile smartphones.There are two levels of eKEY service for BlackBerry.Both levels receive real-time showings notifications, and both can be deactivated or reactivated instantly.eKEY Basic Service allows you to use your BlackBerry to retrieve listing keys from your iBoxes. No more extra lockbox key to carry." Google "BlackBerry eKEY" to find out more.

MrKyoo · 08-04-2008, 05:46 PM

GE Security - Real Estate - BlackBerry

bertiebassett · 08-04-2008, 05:52 PM

can someone clue me in on what a "Supra E-Key Boxes" actually is/does

I went to the link posted above, clicked around a bit and still didn't find an explanation

thanks

MrKyoo · 08-04-2008, 05:55 PM

GE Security - Real Estate - ActiveKEY

Also, click on "What is ActiveKEY?"

barbwyr · 08-04-2008, 06:01 PM

So much for capitolizing on IR and the programming market...lol

aapierre · 08-04-2008, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Clark

I agree with Penguin. GE security systems needs to come up with new technology. InfraRed is dying, bluetooth is taking over. IMO, GE Security systems needs to come up with bluetooth key boxes.

I understand your frustration with Treo but the BB isn't going to provide this function, likely, ever.

theproblem i could see with a bluetooth key box is that bluetooth is 360 degrees in every direction but infra red is uni directional.

thus there could be a security issue with others trying to read the bluetooth signal unless some strong encryption prevented that.

irockash · 08-04-2008, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aapierre

theproblem i could see with a bluetooth key box is that bluetooth is 360 degrees in every direction but infra red is uni directional.

thus there could be a security issue with others trying to read the bluetooth signal unless some strong encryption prevented that.

Yeah, I'd put my money on some type of NFC chip, like what they're using for mobile payments.

ah2819 · 08-04-2008, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bertiebassett

can someone clue me in on what a "Supra E-Key Boxes" actually is/does

I went to the link posted above, clicked around a bit and still didn't find an explanation

thanks

Yes, this probably doesn't make sense to someone from the UK. When you sell a house in the US, the realtor attaches a "lock box" to the outside of your front door. Your door key is locked inside this box. When other realtors want to show your house to a client they get the combination for the lock box, and then use the key that is inside it to get into your house. It sounds like the E-Key Box is an updated version of this that uses IR to unlock the box.

Griffman · 08-30-2008, 08:05 PM

Well, it's been a while since I've been here but look what I've created! Just so all you folks know (see beginning posts) I've been on the phone non-stop since first posting here months ago and would love to think that I had something to do with this! Not! But hey, I have been trying hard... Thanks for all the lively chat and innovative ideas. Keep innovating America... uh, and Canada!

Go Blackberry!

NJBlackBerry · 08-30-2008, 08:08 PM

And.. There is still no IR on any BlackBerry, and there still is no solution...

MBW · 08-31-2008, 10:35 AM

There may be an unusual answer - you'll need a power inverter in your car or an alternate way to power this...

Check out Unify4Life™

It's made to be a home remote control for home theater and home automation gear. Software on the handset sends commands to a small bridging box over Bluetooth and the box sends out the remote control codes over infrared. The whole package is $99.

It should be fairly easy to adapt to this application - if you have the Supra E-Key IR protocol specs, get them to Unify4Life and see if they can add that capability.

This doesn't officially ship until the end of October; it's possible they can also come up with a car or battery power alternative for this kind of application if there's enoughb demand out there.

Alternately, have you thought about adapting a non-phone programmable universal remote control for these codes?

rambo47 · 08-31-2008, 10:47 AM

You may end up carrying a used Treo to use the IR function. Or an old Palm Pilot. Pain in the butt, but with a cheap used Treo/Pilot you might have the most cost-effective solution.