Google does this where it uses bad names for products. Then reuse those names for other products, confusing everyone. Such is the case of Smart Lock, which technically is Three different things, depending on whether it is Android, Chromebooks or contrasts.
These are the three different things found under the Smart Lock name:
- Smart Lock para Android: Keeps your device unlocked when certain criteria are met.
- Smart Lock for passwords: Synchronize your passwords on Chrome and Android.
- Smart Lock for Chromebooks: Use your Android device to unlock your Chromebook.
Then, two of these things are for device security, but the other is for passwords. Truly … dont have much sense. Here's a close look at each one.
Smart Lock para Android
Smart Lock for Android was the first product of the “family” of Smart Lock. It is a way to bypass your phone's lock screen in any of the following situations:
- Body detection: Keeps your device unlocked when you wear it.
- Trusted places: Keeps your device unlocked in a user-specific geo-fenced area, like home or work.
- Reliable devices: Keeps your device unlocked when connecting to specific Bluetooth devices.
- Confident face: Like Apple's Face ID, but bad.
- Voice matching: Make it possible for the Google Assistant to unlock your device when your voice is detected.
Most of these are good ideas in theory and they work well.. Body detection is questionable, because the device has no way to determine which body the phone is in: Is it your body or has your device been stolen? Not cool.
Trusted Places is quite useful, even though it relies on high location accuracy to be useful. In practice, may be a bit silly, so your mileage may vary.
Of all Smart Lock functions, Trusted Devices is probably the best, especially if you have some kind of portable device. That way, you can set your smartwatch or fitness tracker as a reliable device and, as long as your phone is within range, will remain unlocked. But if your phone is lost or stolen, the lock screen will be activated automatically. It's the best of both worlds: safe when you need it, but convenient when your phone is around.
You can find these functions in Settings> Security> Smart Lock.
Smart Lock for passwords
We now live in a service-based world, and each service has its own login. Due, probably have dozens (or more) of stored passwords … in some place. Tal vez use LastPass o 1Password. Maybe you will try to remember them all (good luck!).
But if you let Chrome store your passwords, that's where Smart Lock for Passwords comes into play: not only keeps your pertinent information in sync across all your Chrome installations, but is now compatible with Android applications.
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Then, as an example, if you keep your Netflix password stored in Chrome, Smart Lock will automatically launch it into the app when you install it on your phone, no need for interaction. You just open the Netflix app and Smart Lock does its thing. It is very convenient.
This also works with the Android AutoComplete service, so you can easily log into apps or websites that don't support auto login yet.
Smart Lock for Chromebooks
Smart Lock for Chromebooks is the simplest of all Smart Lock features, because it only does one thing: unlock your Chromebook when your android mobile is nearby.
For this, establish a fast Bluetooth connection with your phone. Because it uses Bluetooth, not quite reliable either. Actually, it ends up being faster to type your password (o PIN, if you have it enabled) to wait for your Chromebook to find your phone and unlock.
So it's a good idea in theory, but not so much in practice. If you want to try it yourself, you can find it in Settings> Screen Lock> Smart Lock for Chromebook. Make sure Bluetooth is on; opposite case, the settings will not be displayed. We also have a great introduction to the configuration and use of the function.
RELATED: Use Smart Lock to automatically unlock your Chromebook with your android mobile
