April 8, 2021 – Samsung Electronics has today announced the official launch of Galaxy SmartTag+, the company’s solution that helps users locate misplaced items. Galaxy SmartTag+ devices are the newest iteration of Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTags, and consist of tags that users can place on items, such as keys, wallets, purses, backpacks, etc, in order to be able to locate them more easily. With SmartTag+, users are now also able to locate their items using augmented reality (AR) technology that visually guides them towards where their missing item is using their smartphone’s camera.
Each SmartTag+ is equipped with both Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and ultra-wideband (UWB) technology allowing them to be located with greater accuracy (compared to Galaxy SmartTag with only BLE technology) through the ‘SmartThings Find’ service on Samsung Galaxy mobile devices.
It is because of the fact that Galaxy SmartTag+ is both BLE- and UWB-enabled that users can now use AR technology to find their missing items. The AR Finder guides users with an easy-to-follow interface on UWB-equipped smartphones*, shows them how far away they are from the Galaxy SmartTag+ and points them in the right direction. Once the user is closer to the tag’s location, there is also the option to have the tag produce a loud ring to make it easier to find.
“UWB is a true game changer, making it possible to lock onto the position of an object with much greater precision,” said KJ Kim, EVP and Head of Mobile R&D Office, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics. “That’s why we’re continuing to expand UWB throughout the Galaxy ecosystem, finding new ways to leverage this technology to help make people’s everyday lives easier and more convenient.”
In addition to guiding users through AR to help them find their devices, Galaxy SmartTag+ can also leverage SmartThings Find’s detection capabilities, allowing for the location of tagged items on a map, even if the item has been misplaced somewhere very far from where the user is located. This is thanks to the SmartTag+’s BLE connectivity, as well as the Galaxy device network, which allows users of SmartThings Find to opt in to the service and enable their Galaxy smartphone or tablet to help others find their own lost tags or devices. Once a user reports a tag as missing in SmartThings Find, any nearby Galaxy device that has opted in will then be able to alert the SmartThings server about its location and users will receive a notification. Samsung added that All data in SmartThings Find is encrypted and protected, so the tag’s location isn’t revealed to anyone but the owner.
Other features of Galaxy SmartTag+ include the ability to control smart devices using the tags themselves. Users are able to choose different functions that they would like their tags to complete when pressing or holding down the tag button, which can be set up through the SmartThings app.
Samsung stated that Galaxy SmartTag+, which operates using the SmartThings Find service provided in the SmartThings app, will be progressively available from April 16. For more information on the Galaxy SmartTag+ devices, please click here.
It’s been quite a while since Samsung Electronics has had any specifically XR-related news after the company announced the ending of services for its web, mobile and headset XR applications in May last year. For information on Samsung’s previous AR and VR offerings, you can visit the Samsung profile page on the Auganix HUD.
*Available on Galaxy devices with UWB technology, including the Galaxy Note20 Ultra, Galaxy S21+, Galaxy S21 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold2.
Image credit: Samsung Electronics
About the author
Sam Sprigg
Sam is the Founder and Managing Editor of Auganix. With a background in research and report writing, he has been covering XR industry news for the past seven years.
