Road Test: hipKey

You know that awful frustration when you've misplaced your keys, or your iPhone? A clever Danish company has invented the hipKey to help you out.

Hipkey

WHAT is it?

How does it work? It's a crescent-shaped device, 4cm across, that fits onto your key ring. You keep it constantly paired with your phone via Bluetooth. If you lose your keys, go to the operating app on your phone (free to download) and press the Find Me button, and the hipKey will chirrup like a happy budgie. It works the other way round, too: if you can't find your phone, press a button on the hipKey and your phone will beep.

Does it work well?
The device and the app that operates it are beautifully designed and simple to use. The constant Bluetooth pairing will drain your phone battery quicker than usual, though.

Anything else?
There's an Alarm Mode, where either your phone or keys will alert you if you leave home without the other (if you forget them both you're stuffed). And also a Child Mode, where - according to the instructions - you "attach" the hipKey to your kid, and if they wander outside a specified range the phone will alert you. Here's a little tip: never employ a Danish nanny.

Price: $99.95, iworldaustralia.com.au