Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+ uses AR to help you find stuff

by Mark Tyson on 9 April 2021, 12:11

Tags: Samsung (005935.KS)

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Samsung has launched its new Galaxy SmartTag+, the latest iteration of its compact possession tagging devices. New with the Galaxy SmartTag+ is greater location accuracy, to help you find things quicker, and the ability to track down misplaced items using your smartphone camera and Augmented Reality visuals. You will typically buy several tags and attach them to commonly misplaced items like your keys (the SmartTag+ can work as a key fob), wallet, handbag, or even car.

The Galaxy SmartTab+ uses both Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and ultra-wideband (UWB) technology for positional purposes. This combo facilitates precise location reporting and the use of AR technology to find your missing item. Samsung's AR Finder app gives you an easy-to-follow interface onto the world to track down your missing item as long as you also have a UWB-equipped smartphone like the Galaxy Note20 Ultra, S21+, S21 Ultra, or Z-Fold2. Samsung promises to expand the use of UWB throughout the Galaxy ecosystem.

Even if the SmartTag+ is out of range of your device, it can still usefully track down objects thanks to the Galaxy device network. If you opt into this service via the SmartThings app you and others can help each other find their own lost tags or devices. Samsung assures that there is a strong level of privacy here, so the network doesn't reveal info about you. "All data in SmartThings Find is encrypted and protected, so the tag’s location isn't revealed to anyone but you," it asserts.

Samsung says that the SmartTag+ is more than just a missing item tracker. Thanks to a dedicated button on the tag it can be assigned to switch connected tech on and off in your smart home.

The SmartTag+ will become available starting from 16th April. The existing SmartTag devices cost US$29.99, but these new UWB tech infused, AR finder enabled + versions will be $10 more.

The last time HEXUS reported upon smart finding tech was when Intel and Tile announced a partnership to integrate device tracking into approx 30 billion consumer electronic devices over the next five years. The HP Elite DragonFly laptop was one of the first products of the partnership.

HEXUS Forums :: 5 Comments

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Posted by Friesiansam - Fri 09 Apr 2021 12:26
You know it will always be the one item you haven't tagged, that will go missing…
Posted by Ttaskmaster - Fri 09 Apr 2021 12:37
More likely it will be the items that are too small for such a tag, and/or you'll just forget to charge the tags up in amongst all the other junk that needs regular charging… I presume the batteries only last for a couple of days?
Most likely you'll just lose the phone that tracks it all, anyway.

HEXUS
Thanks to a dedicated button on the tag it can be assigned to switch connected tech on and off in your smart home.
That seems a bit random and unrelated… Who the heck asked for that??!!
Moreover, if the smart tech is smart and connected, can't you already turn it on/off without needing the tag?
Posted by sinhaomar - Mon 12 Apr 2021 21:34
Well, Samsung assures that there is a strong level of privacy. Sounds great, but I think SmartTag can be used to track its owner.
Posted by kimberlyjose - Tue 13 Apr 2021 13:01
It's still Samsung going up against the might of Apple's ecosystem and install base on their home turf.
Posted by Saracen999 - Tue 13 Apr 2021 17:04
Samsung assures that there is a strong level of privacy here, so the network doesn't reveal info about you. “All data in SmartThings Find is encrypted and protected, so the tag’s location isn't revealed to anyone but you,” it asserts.
Riiiight.

And the code is, of course, open-source so that that can be independently verified, I presume?

No?

I'm shocked. ;)

Pass. Especially at $40, which will not doubt end up as £40, if not more. Triple pass.