Samsung launches device-locating feature to rival Apple’s iPhone-finding Find My perk
Samsung Electronics has launched its personal model of Apple’s Find My feature to find units – although, naturally, it is going to solely work with Galaxy units, from smartphones to tablets to smartwatches to particular person earbuds.
The feature, referred to as SmartThings Find, locates units utilizing Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Ultra Wideband (UWB) – a WiFi-less monitoring methodology related to what Apple has been rumored to be creating. SmartThings Find is now accessible on Samsung’s Galaxy units globally after the service was examined by 6 million customers in South Korea, the USA and the UK for about two months, the corporate mentioned in a press assertion.
Sadly, older units will not be in a position to run the feature, which is coming in a software program replace for on Galaxy smartphones and tablets working Android 8 or later, Galaxy Watch smartwatches powered by Tizen 5.5 or above, and Galaxy Buds Plus and Galaxy Buds Live wi-fi earbuds.
The know-how behind SmartThings Find
After finishing a fast registration course of, SmartThings customers can simply discover their Galaxy units – from smartphones, tablets and smartwatches, down to every particular person earbud.
While the app makes use of BLE and UWB applied sciences to monitor the units, it exhibits their areas in an AR interface to assist customers see the place their Galaxy merchandise really are.
“With the added advantage of using AR6 in conjunction with maps and sounds to guide you back to your devices, SmartThings Find is a simple and visual solution that will help you easily locate your favorite devices. This is just one example of the new meaningful mobile experiences that UWB technology will bring to people across the world,” said Jaeyeon Jung, Vice President and Head of SmartThings Team, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics.
According to Samsung: Once a device has been offline for 30 minutes, it produces a BLE signal that can be received by other devices “If you report your gadget as misplaced through SmartThings Find, any close by Galaxy smartphone or pill that has opted into serving to discover misplaced units can alert the Samsung server about its location, which can in flip notify you.”
The service is also set to offer integrated map directions and sounds for users to quickly find a lost device.
Once you’re close to your device, you can choose to either have your device ‘ring’ or locate it using the augmented reality-based search nearby function, which displays color graphics that increase in intensity when you are getting closer to your device, the company said.
All SmartThings Find user data is encrypted and securely protected, ensuring that the device’s location is not revealed to anyone except its owner.
SmartThings Find is similar to ‘Find My App’ that are native to Apple devices.
Samsung to add this service to other devices, too
The highlight of the service is it will allow users to find their missing devices even if they are offline.
Samsung said it plans to start expanding such solutions to tracking tags early next year, so that users can locate not only Galaxy devices but also other items.
“We are excited to even be working intently with main corporations within the item-finding area to each broaden this expertise and allow you to discover extra of the belongings you care about most,” mentioned Jung Jae-yeon.