You Can Now Track Lost Items Anywhere With Samsung’s LTE Tracker

Updated on

Keeping track of all your things can be a challenging task, unless you have a very sharp memory or use a smart tracker. Even if you use a tracker, one common issue associated with almost all these devices is that you need an always-on data connection. Now it appears Samsung has a solution for this problem.

How it’s different from others

Samsung announced its new SmartThings Tracker, which uses GPS and LTE to track items. However, to use the Samsung SmartThings Tracker, you will need to go through a mobile carrier for LTE service. The Samsung SmartThings Tracker is a small, white device which includes a GPS tracker, battery and LTE-M modem. The tracker is water resistant as well.

LTE-M is a network technology that was developed primarily for Internet of Things devices. The tech allows the tracker to show GPS coordinates from anywhere it gets the tracked item’s LTE signal. Further, the tech allows the app to be used for real-time location tracking, automation and geofencing.

Samsung claims the tracker can go for a week on a single charge. The Samsung SmartThings Tracker costs $99.99, and shipping is expected to start Sept. 14. You can order the tracker via Samsung’s website to get it early, or you can order one via Amazon, where shipping it set to begin around Sept. 30.

The Korean firm has partnered with AT&T for the tracker. Users get a year of service with the hardware, and after that, AT&T will charge $5 per month or $50 per year. Verizon will start supporting the Samsung SmartThings Tracker later this year, but it is not known if the carrier will offer any free deals.

Samsung SmartThings Tracker is very useful

Samsung’s new tracker seems to be very effective. Though many smart trackers are available, they all use Bluetooth and thus, they offer a limited range. Once the item being tracked goes beyond a certain point, these smart trackers use technology like crowd-sourcing to track them. However, the Samsung SmartThings Tracker overcomes such limitations due to its use of LTE tech.

Samsung’s tracker comes with many built-in features that make it useful not only for tracking your wallet or keys, but also for pets or children. For instance, you can set a geofencing zone which will automatically trigger the tracker when it moves outside that zone. The tracker can also send real-time alerts to help you locate its exact location, a feature that could come in handy when picking up children from a friends’ birthday party or other event.

“By combining the coverage of nationwide carrier networks with the expansiveness of the SmartThings ecosystem, we’re helping families keep track of what matters most to them while also continuing to make it easy to control and manage their smart home, all in one device,” said S.K. Kim, director of IoT Product Marketing at Samsung Electronics America, in a press release.

On pressing the power button twice, the device sends its location to the SmartThings app. There is also the option to send an SOS. Additionally, the Samsung SmartThings Tracker can be used as an arrival sensor by triggering automated functions like turning on a connected porch light when the tracker is in range. The tracker is also compatible with other SmartThings devices, such as thermostats and security cameras.

The Galaxy Watch is another smart wearable

Samsung also recently announced the LTE version of its Galaxy Watch, which will cost $50 more than the Bluetooth-equipped models. The 46mm LTE watch will cost $399, while the 42mm model will come with a price tag of $379. According to Samsung’s website, the 42mm watch is available in black and rose gold.

The Galaxy Watch features a Super AMOLED touch display with Gorilla DX+ glass, 5 ATM water resistance and IP68 dust resistance. The watch runs on Tizen OS 4.0 and is powered by an Exynos 9110 dual-core 1.15 GHz processor.

The Korean company said when announcing the LTE-equipped watch that four major U.S. carriers will carry it. Each carrier will offer its own plan for the watch, and that plan will be added to customers’ existing plan. The company claims the Galaxy Watch will be offered by more than 30 carriers in over 15 countries globally, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, China, the U.K., and several other countries in Western Europe.