With the lost item tracker space likely to be full in the coming months, Tile is reportedly working on a new device that can help keep the startup at least competitive against companies like Apple and Samsung. According TechCrunch, the company is developing a tracker that will use ultra-wideband (UWB) technology instead of Bluetooth to help you find lost items. UWB is a relatively new short-range wireless communication protocol that has several advantages over the ubiquitous Bluetooth. Its high frequency waves can transmit spatial and directional data, making it more accurate in estimating the location of something.
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So far, it has come up with several newer phones. Most notably, iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 support the protocol via Apple’s U1 chip. Some Android devices, like Samsung’s Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold 2, also include UWB. Along with the new tracker, Tile is reportedly developing an AR feature in its app that will help guide you to the device. Conceptual art TechCrunch obtained from the tracker and the AR feature provides an idea of what they will look like. In short, Tile is unlikely to reinvent the wheel here when it comes to crawler design, but the AR discovery experience looks like it will be a useful addition to the company’s application.