14 DAY TRIAL // Indeed, technology and human ingenuity advanced so far as to allow you to turn off your computer, put it to sleep or lock it by simply using Bluetooth connectivity. The basic principle consists in establishing a connection between a Bluetooth-enabled computer and a Bluetooth device and making a few settings here and there in order to define the actions to be triggered whenever the connection is interrupted.
Bluetooth Passport is designed exactly for this kind of task, letting you control the computer by simply leaving from it and taking your phone with you. This way, you no longer have to remember complicated passwords when logging into the computer account as the operation is done automatically, without any input from the user. Just like the developer puts on the website, "It is a hands-free Windows logon system".
The most common and comfortable method yet to protect access to your files is securing your account with a deviously conceived password that would discourage any attempter. However, entering the password at each computer login may become quite uncomfortable and making this operation automatic would greatly come as an improvement. Bluetooth Passport comes to the rescue offering a very simple to use interface and a wizard to guide you through the completion of creating the Bluetooth connection between computer and device.
The list of actions to be triggered by the connective dysfunction between system and Bluetooth device is quite short, but includes the basic ones: computer lock, launch screensaver, turn the screen off, sleep or shutdown.
Immediately after installing the software, a system restart is needed for all changes to take effect and, after Windows loads up, you will notice that the regular user and password fields are no longer available. Instead, the computer will start searching for a Bluetooth passport, the device assigned to unlock the system, and you are asked to turn the Bluetooth device on. The developer has taken all precautions offering the alternative of manually introducing the password.
The steps for creating a Bluetooth passport are easy to follow thanks to the built-in wizard taking you through each stage. First, you need to make sure that the current computer account is password protected and, if not, assign a countersign. Multiple Bluetooth-enabled devices can have the same impact on the computer but you have to make your pick when they are discovered.
Getting over this stage gets you to editing options that allow defining the action to be taken once the connection is broken, setting the priority of the devices, add new ones or remove a particular one. This concludes all the configuration of the software and you are good to go.
Testing the application revealed its capabilities and proved to be reliable enough with various mobile phones, as it executed the action at each try. In the first few seconds, it will not work as expected, but the selected action will be triggered in less than a minute. In our case, the average time needed to initiate the action was of about 42 seconds and, given the high range of the Bluetooth, we needed more than the 10 meters stipulated by the developer.
The application supports as many computer accounts as you need and multiple devices can trigger the same action on the system. Frankly, it would have been a great idea if you could customize the action to be enforced to the system in correlation with the Bluetooth device detected. Another useful feature would be the setting up of a time limit for the action to take place after the device is no longer detected or in range.
There are not complicated settings to deal with, so the learning curve is short. The uncomfortable task of entering the parole for your account is replaced by simply turning the Bluetooth device on. There is no need for pairing or other elaborate chore. And the developer thought of the situations when you may not be able to start the Bluetooth connection, so a manual alternative is provided. In this case, you will have to remember the countersign, or appeal to a workaround (if possible). In this sense, it would be a great idea to complete the "hint" filed when setting up the password for the account.
Priced at $39.99, Bluetooth Passport allows for a period of testing of 30 days with absolutely no restriction imposed. You will be able to fully test the application and its capabilities (which are a bit limited considering the price).
The Good
The application does a great job with triggering the actions provided for the Bluetooth passport. During our testing, it successfully accomplished its job.
Adding devices in Bluetooth Passport is carried out with the slightest effort given the accompanying wizard that guides the user at every step.
It can handle multiple computer accounts and multiple Bluetooth devices can trigger the same action just by simply walking away from the computer. Unlocking can be done both manually and automatically provided that the Bluetooth device is working properly.
The action assigned to be triggered by the Bluetooth connection break will be carried out even if there is still activity on the computer, ensuring its protection against prying eyes.
The Bad
The list of actions it offers is quite skimpy and there is room for much more. Although the interface is simple to use, it may be considered too simple by some users and adding a few frills to make it more appealing should be taken into consideration.
It does not work on Vista yet and its use is restricted to Windows XP and Windows Server 2003.
Taking into account the features alone, Bluetooth Passport comes at a pretty high price.
The Truth
The application does its job very well, but there is huge room for improvement in order to meet its price. There are not many features included, but it offers a great level of comfort based on current technology.
Here are some snapshots of the application in action:
