Evikey Review: the NFC USB safe smart health innovation

May 24, 2020

Evikey is a small French company that has just launched an ultra-secure NFC USB key. It is possible to lock it by NFC from your smartphone. Only you can access the content stored on it. What is this USB safe worth? it passed into the hands of the editorial staff.

Evikey, ultra-secure USB

Mark : Evikey

Category : USB key

Release date : Fall 2014. To order, send an email to the following address: [email protected]

Price : 96 euros for the 4 GB version, 168 euros for the 8 GB version, 240 euros for the 16 GB version and 326 euros for the 32 GB version.

Tested with a Nexus 5

Unboxing

The USB key is presented in a solid plastic packaging. Nothing really fun, but at the same time, no need for a satin sheet for a USB key, you can hardly do better.

No paper instructions, everything is already present inside the USB key. It’s a shame because it can come in handy. Beware not to lose the file in the depths of your computer or to delete it by mistake. Fortunately, it can be downloaded from or consulted directly on the site.

Design & Ergonomics

The observation is the same as for packaging. It is a USB key that looks like many others. A very solid transparent plastic shell. This is not beautiful, but at the same time it’s not what we ask. Still, they could still have made an effort. If the transparency suggests two light-emitting diodes, necessary to communicate with the key, it was not necessarily compulsory.

To be frank, we thought we could never publish the Evikey's Review for a very simple reason: we couldn't remove the cap. Caught in desperation we even tried to open it with a kitchen knife, that is to say.

So we went to the Evikey website which indicates that the cap may be "a little difficult to open the first few times“. Contacted via Twitter, they told us that he you had to pull by pressing on the outside of the key. Not necessarily intuitive, especially since there is no indication to show it.

Application

The design of the application is unique to say the least. We are in the presence of a fairly old-school design that looks a bit "pirate" from the 2000s. We must love. Small flat anyway, the application crashed several times during the Review, randomly. For the rest, the acronyms are relatively clear and allow you to go wherever you want.

Use / Getting started

After the battle against the cap, it was finally possible to use the key. To start you will have to make certain settings that allow you to recognize the phone, define it as suitable for unlocking or the unlocking mode which are 4 in number. Either you do not put any, either by simple NFC contact or by code PIN, either by PIN code only or both.

The security system works extremely well. When the key is locked, it flashes red and is absolutely undetectable on any computer.

On the contrary, it turns green when it is visible.

Speaking of colors, know that there are several different color codes, which allow you to understand what is happening on the key. The colors are also customizable with a wide choice.

An SOS mode is also used mainly to make light in case of problems, the usefulness of such a device is only demonstrated if you have a portable USB battery, since the key must be powered.

If Evikey is hiding very well, the use of NFC is laborious. The waiting time is very variable. 5 seconds once, 20 seconds next time or worse, nothing happens. It is also sometimes necessary to repeat a manipulation, because the NFC did not work. In addition, be careful to handle the phone away from the key and then approach it as explained on the application, but not to handle with the phone already glued otherwise it will not work. In short, you will need to be patient to use it, however, there is also no need to unlock the key every 5 minutes, which reduces the possibility of getting upset.

The Evikey One Pro also provides access for a limited time to a user. A feature that can be particularly useful and practical in business.

Finally, the USB key is in version 2.0, while the trend is to 3.0 today, faster. Amazing when you know the price of the key.

Compatibility

Android 2.3.3 or laterApple is not at the rendezvous, Apple products do not have embedded NFC technology.

Feature reminder

USB 2.0 key

Unlocking by NFC from Android smartphone

Advertised as non-hackable

Our feeling

What I liked : The ability to lock the USB key and make it undetectable on any terminal.

What I did not like : The minimalist design, the NFC sometimes a little slow to relax, the USB 2.0 behind the 3.0 and the price.

Evikey had an excellent idea by developing this USB key which is a real portable safe for sensitive data. However, the design of the key lacks singularity and the NFC is sometimes dragging its paw. In addition, the price is Student (96 euros for the 4 GB version, 168 euros for the 8 GB version, 240 euros for the 16 GB version and 326 euros for the 32 GB version) which can discourage the average user who will go to the Premium version: less expensive (69.90 euros for 4GB, 99.90 for 8GB, 129.90 for 16GB and 169.90 for 32GB), and easier to use. However, this key will especially find its usefulness for professionals wishing to keep their projects warm. They will be able to Review it during Devoxx which will be held from April 8 to 10!

Use / Getting started

Overview

Design : We are in the presence of a common USB key, transparent unfortunately not very pretty to the eye.Application : If the design and colors will divide, the application fulfills its role while being clear. His tendency to crash is nevertheless frustrating.Use / Getting started : Evikey promises an undetectable USB key and it is. The bet is held. Small flat for 2.0 much slower than 3.0. The main concern is that the NFC is too slow and tends not to always work. Frustrating and irritating to sometimes have an instant result and after having to redo the handling several times.Value for money : It all depends on which side we stand. For an individual 90 euros the 4GB key is expensive and he will prefer to turn to the Premium model at 69.90 euros. However, businesses will find their account there more easily.

3.15

 3.15 out of 5 

In the average

Evikey Review: the NFC USB safe 

Reviewed by Thomas Remilleret  

we 2015-03-27

   Design : We are in the presence of a common USB key, transparent unfortunately not very pretty to the eye.Application : If the design and colors will divide, the application fulfills its role while being clear. His tendency to crash is nevertheless frustrating.Use / Getting started : Evikey promises an undetectable USB key and it is. The bet is held. Small flat for 2.0 much slower than 3.0. The main concern is that the NFC is too slow and tends not to always work. Frustrating and irritating to sometimes have an instant result and after having to redo the handling several times.Value for money : It all depends on which side we stand. For an individual 90 euros the 4GB key is expensive and he will prefer to turn to the Premium model at 69.90 euros. However, businesses will find their account there more easily.

Rating: 3.15