Tracking your stuff is now part of the Samsung SmartThings suite of products. No extra points for the name, but the SmartThings Tracker seems pretty cool overall. It’s a white square that you attach to objects like backpacks, wallets, dog collars, and it works over a much broader range than most other trackers on the market today.
The tracker includes GPS with an LTE-M network so you can track items in real time via the SmartThings app for Android or iOS devices.
The SmartThings Tracker will be available in the US starting September 14 for the price of $99. Since it’s LTE-M – you’ll have to have to pay a monthly fee too, but with caveats at launch:
- It comes with AT&T service included for the first 12 months. After the first year, AT&T’s service will cost $5 a month or $50 per year.
- LTE service with Verizon will be available later this year.
This newest tracker joins an already robust playing field of other similar devices, but unlike popular models from Tile and TrackR, the SmartThings Tracker doesn’t use Bluetooth at all. The company says families can use the SmartThings Tracker to send location notifications to other members or enable live tracking for as many as 10 minutes. You can also use the tracker as a SmartThings-enabled proximity sensor to trigger automation with any SmartThings device. The SmartThings tracker allows for geo-fenced zones and can issues alerts when a tracked item leaves a predetermined area.
The SmartThings Tracker is designed for indoor or outdoor use, and it’s rated for IP68 water-resistance, which means it can be submerged in 4.9 feet of water for as many as 30 minutes. The rechargeable battery is designed to last up to one week on a single charge.
For more information, visit the Samsung website.