Amazon announces its own wireless standards such as anti-lost tags

Amazon has officially announced Sidewalk, a wireless network service that can connect anti-lost trackers and smart home devices in the United States. By linking smart devices such as Amazon Echo, it is a service that allows users to share the connection even outside the range of the wireless LAN in the home, making it much more convenient to search for lost and found items.

Amazon Sidewalk is a wireless network capable of low-capacity, low-power, and long-distance connections using Bluetooth and 900MHz low-bandwidth radio waves. Since 2018, it supports various devices such as the Echo series and the anti-lost tracker Tile Pro, so it is a strength to be able to connect and integrate all kinds of products.

Sidewalk can receive information by connecting devices that cannot directly connect to Wi-Fi, such as outdoor lighting or anti-lost trackers, to the cloud. For example, if the dog with the Tile Pro attached to the necklace disappears, an anti-lost tracker that only supports Bluetooth will not be able to detect the dog if it is not in range of the Bluetooth device. However, sidewalks are mostly compatible with Amazon smart speakers and can maintain communication even outside the range of wireless LANs in the home, so if the dog passes in front of the Alexa’s house, the location can be specified at any time.

When a device is connected to the sidewalk, it is easy to reconnect when the wireless LAN connection is disconnected, and the operating range of the device can be extended, and there is no additional cost. In addition, the sidewalk connection is encrypted and the connecting device cannot be identified, but if security is a concern, the sidewalk connection can be disconnected with a separate device.

Sidewalk service will be launched on various Amazon smart devices such as 3rd-4th generation Eco and Ecodot, Eco Dot for Kids, 1st and 2nd generation Eco Plus, and Eco Show from June 8, 2021. In addition, from June 14, it will support tile smart tracker, level smart lock, and care band detection device for dementia treatment. However, only the US is currently the service area. Related information can be found here.