Samsung Electronics has unveiled the Connect Tag - an accessory that receives precise location information so that you can stalk track the whereabouts of your loved ones. This is the first ever consumer mobile product to use narrowband network technology (NB-IoT, Cat.M1).
NB-IoT and Cat.M1 are cellular communication standards specially designed for low power and data usage, providing users the ability to securely connect to the internet for the best available location services.
The tag will work with GPS, Wi-Fi positioning system (WPS) and Cell ID, enabling it to receive precise location information, both indoors and outdoors. The company claims that it can be attached to a child"s backpack or clipped to a dog"s collar, to ensure that their whereabouts can be kept in check. This feature is further enhanced by a location-sending function, which enables even young children to notify their guardians of their pickup location.
Geo-fence is another notable feature of the Connect Tag, which works in coherence with Samsung"s SmartThings ecosystem, to notify users" chosen smart devices whenever their kids, for example, enter or leave a predefined zone. This feature can also work as an enabler of the user"s smart home appliances, when he or she is in close proximity to a predefined location.
The product comes with an exclusive ring as well, which easily attaches to bags, collars or key rings. The Connect Tag itself is a mere 4.21 centimeters wide and 1.19 centimeters thick, with IP68 water and dustproof rating for durability. The battery for the accessory can last up to a week on a single charge, according to the company.
The tag will be showcased at the Samsung Developer Conference 2017 in San Francisco, later this week. It will initially be available for purchase in Korea, before expanding to select countries in the future. Bear in mind that Connect Tag will only work with devices that run Android Marshmallow (6.0) or above.