Tile has been the preferred brand when it comes to reliable Bluetooth trackers and its wide range of products caters to different use cases. But all of its trackers have Bluetooth, which works very well, but is not as sophisticated as the ultra-wideband (UWB) – technology that will be used in the next Apple and Samsung products. Tile is also said to be working on a new product with the same technology and scheduled for launch in 2021.
The new tracker is similar to Tile Mate in that it will have a rounded square shape, a central button, a keyhole and a flat back to support adhesive-based assembly. The most notable difference will be the use of UWB, which will make it easier to locate lost items.
Conceptual art of the next Tile
UWB technology uses a short-range wireless protocol, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. But, unlike the latter, the UWB operates at high frequencies, which makes it possible to record directional / spatial data. This makes it particularly useful for trackers, especially in cases where it is difficult to discern its location by touching it.
To take full advantage of the new technology, the Tile application will offer users an AR-enabled camera view that will show the location of the tracker and guide users to it using arrows. However, it is important to note that very few phones support UWB – the Samsung Note 20 Ultra and the iPhone 11/12 series are among the few that do. There is still no price information for the new Tile trackers.
