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Inexpensive alternative to Nuki Bridge

17.12.2015

Update 20.01.2021:
https://nuki.io/en/blog/nuki-news/update-on-the-nuki-android-bridge-app-with-the-end-of-every-era-comes-a-new-beginning/

Dear Nuki-Fans,

in times when new smartphone models drop every year, it’s not uncommon, that your “old” one gets dusty in a drawer. We thought of a reasonable use for your old smartphone, which not only saves you money, but also keeps the planet a little cleaner. We developed the Nuki-Bridge-App. Yes, it’s an app! Ignited by reaching our 300.000€ goal on Kickstarter, we kept our promise and will release the Nuki-Bridge-App alongside Nuki. Thanks a lot again, to all our backers!


The Concept

The Nuki Bridge, just like the Bridge app, simply put, takes your Nuki online. Your Nuki’s Bluetooth signal is brought online which makes your Nuki accessible from anywhere and anytime. This way, you’ll be comforted with even more advantages:

  • Current lock-status always on your smartphone
  • Lock and unlock from anywhere in the world
  • Share permissions via E-mail or text

An infinite number of Nukis can be connected to a single bridge. Nuki communicates via internet with our servers. These servers, just like your bridge, don’t store any data, because your data already is sent in encrypted form from your Nuki. The Bridge-App also comes with an interface that shows you how many Nukis are connected in your reach.

Screenshots der Android-Bridge-App

What’s the difference between the soft- and the hardware Bridge?

Basically, both are almost the same and provide similar functionality. Both need a permanent power supply, an internet connection and need to be placed within your Nukis Bluetooth reach (about 10 meters). But nonetheless, the Android-Bridge-App is an inexpensive and green solution, as you obviously produce less trash by upcycling your old smartphone to a fully functional bridge. And there’s more…

WiFi

If you do not have WiFi in your home, you can simply use your smartphones mobile data connection. One locking process needs less than a kilobyte and a status check even less. So your data-volume won’t be expended by Nuki and you could even use a prepaid data-only SIM to compensate for your missing WIFI.

API-Use

We also have good news for all of you, who plan to use the REST-API. The Android-Bridge-App also provides a REST-API for status checks and locking processes which makes it an ideal starting point for your own projects.

Price

The Nuki-Bridge-App is free for all our Kickstarter-Backers and will be offered to all our other Nuki-Fans for free as well.


Hardware-Requirements for the Android-Bridge-App

  • Android 4.3 or higher
  • Bluetooth 4.0
  • Permanent Power Supply
  • Permanent Internet connection (WIFI or mobile data)

Summed up

Once again we’d like to thank all our Kickstarter-Backers for making Nuki possible, and for helping us to reach the Nuki-Bridge-App goal, which is now becoming a reality for all the Nuki Fans out there.

 

best regards
Christoph
Marketing Manager