My Package of the Day: blueproximity
Thursday, October 30th, 2008So, yesterday, my new Bluetooth adapter arrived. I’ve been wanting one for a while so that I can quite quickly push new files to my phone (for ringtones, etc)
However, while playing with bluetooth (and trying to setup a bluetooth headset - which is the biggest headache EVER!) - I stumbled across a package called blueproximity.
The application allows you to use a bluetooth device as a proximity sensor.
Basically, it uses the bluetooth protocol to “ping” the bluetooth device, and then run commands when the signal strength gets low (or hich)
At the moment, I have it setup to do a couple of things, firstly, I have it set to lock/unlock my session, and switch my monitor on/off if I leave the range/enter the range. I’ve set this up so that the unlock is on entering the room, but the “lock” is only if I leave the house.
Secondly, I have a habit of leaving for work, and forgetting to disconnect from my server’s screen session (running irssi) - meaning that when I come back, the highlights don’t show in irssi’s away log. So, I’ve added another sensor that will close my screen session (ssh <myserver> screen -D) if I leave the house. Very useful!
While the app isn’t perfect, and could do with some “built in” features (rather than having to specify commands). It’s a great app with huge flexibility 
I can think of many uses for it, espescially in an office environment (I remember my boss emailing me from my account once saying “I’m a security risk, I left my station unlocked” - blueproximity would have solved this issue!
If you’re in an office, and have bluetooth enabled, this is a great security feature… I think the whole “walk up to the desk and your monitor switches on and unlocks itself” feature is pretty cool.
Though, it does leave a security risk if someone steals your bluetooth device (in my case, this is my phone!)
<edit>Knew I’d forgot something :-