* * * * *
                                        
                              Science in action II
                                        
Bunny received one of those forwarded emails that detailed a bunch of stupid
cell phone tricks one could try. Among the stupid cell phone tricks (like
dialing “*#06#” to get the phone's serial number, or dialing 800-FREE-411
(800-373-3411) for free dialing assistance) was one really silly bit:

> Subject: Have you locked your keys in the car?
> 
> If your car has a remote keyless entry device this may come in handy
> someday. If you lock your keys in the car and your spare keys and spare
> remote keyless device are at home, call someone at home from your cell
> phone, hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door, and have the
> person at your home hold your spare remote keyless device up to the phone
> and tell them to press the unlock button. Presto, your car will unlock.
> Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object.
> You could be hundreds of miles away. All you have to do is reach someone
> who has the other “remote” for your car and you will be able to unlock the
> doors or the trunk (where it might be a good idea to keep a spare set of
> keys in case you lose yours).
> 

Another remote frob myth [1] that sounded way too silly to me.

So of course I had to try it.

I gave Bunny my keys and went outside to stand next to my car. Then I called
her. “Help, help, I locked myself out of my car,” I said.

“Okay,” she said. “Don't panic. I have your spare set of keys right here in
the house. Hold your phone about a foot away from the car.”

I did that. Nothing.

We tried again.

Nothing.

Bunny then suggested using her landline to call me. Perhaps it would give a
better signal.

Nope.

I suspect it doesn't work since my keyless frob works on radio waves, not an
actual audible sound.

[Busted] [2] 

[1] gopher://gopher.conman.org/0Phlog:2005/04/02.2
[2] gopher://gopher.conman.org/IPhlog:2007/03/10/Busted.jpg

Email Sean Conner at sean@conman.org

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