Samsung unveils SmarTag 2, a new connected key fob that can be attached to more objects to make them easier to find with your smartphone. We took the opportunity to offer you a brief overview.
Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2 // Source: Brice Zerouk – Frandroid
AirTag, Tile, Galaxy SmarTag… Trackers in the form of keychains are very trendy. And now Samsung is back at it again with a new product, which is logically called Galaxy SmartTag 2. We were able to briefly try out this accessory that is designed to prevent the feeling of anxiety from increasing when we can no longer find an important item.
A more practical design for the key ring
The big novelty of the Samsung Galaxy SmarTag 2 lies in its design. The object clearly assumes its function as a key ring with a significantly larger ring. Thanks to the greatly enlarged ring, it is therefore more practical to hang it on the key chain.
Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2 // Source: Brice Zerouk – Frandroid
Thanks to this large loop, Samsung promises a Galaxy SmartTag 2 that can hang anywhere. The manufacturer also adds that the ring is made of metal to ensure good resistance to all kinds of impacts. There is also an IP67 certification to keep you quiet even if the key fob falls into the water.
Looking for my lost keys
There are two ways to find an object that has a Galaxy SmarTag 2 attached: via a Bluetooth connection with a range of 120 meters or via the Galaxy Find Network. This is a network that exploits the locations of Samsung smartphones around the world – suffice to say, there are a lot of them.
With this second method, you can theoretically see the location of your property on the other side of the world if a Galaxy smartphone user has passed nearby.
The SmarThings application used with a Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2 // Source: Brice Zerouk – Frandroid
In any case, you will have to use the SmartThings application, which for this occasion benefits from an update to make the search for objects more intuitive.
I just listened to my courage and tested the experiment. So I hang the Galaxy SmartTag 2 on my key ring and hide it behind a large vase. I then walk about ten meters away – since I’m on Samsung’s premises, I can’t really afford to go very far.
Then I grab the phone paired with the attached key fob and open SmarThings. The interface before my eyes offers several options. The entire top half of the screen is taken up by a scale ranging from “weak” to “strong,” which fills as I get closer to the lost object that has been haunting my thoughts for the past three seconds.
The SmarThings application used with a Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2 // Source: Brice Zerouk – Frandroid
“Point the back of this phone forward.” The instructions are clear, I follow them and then I can see good accuracy of the meter during this first exercise. However, it’s a shame that this basic interface doesn’t display an arrow that could more effectively assist me in my noble quest.
This in itself isn’t a bad thing, because to be entitled to an arrow pointing in the direction of my keys, I can click the “Search with App” button. Photo “. This activates an augmented reality function. I hold the smartphone in front of me and see two angles through the camera that guide my steps.
The SmarThings application in augmented reality used with the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2 // Source: Brice Zerouk – Frandroid
When I am just a few meters away from the object, an animation is triggered on the screen with several small points of light moving, filling my heart with joy: I found the keys that I didn’t have. Not really lost! Again, despite some very small errors in correctly positioning the arrows on the screen, I was able to benefit from good precision in the directions.
The SmarThings application in augmented reality used with the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2 // Source: Brice Zerouk – Frandroid
There is finally a final way to find the Galaxy SmarTag 2 with the SmartThings application: ring the keychain. Just tap the music note icon. Simply.
A man who is mistakenly happy to have found his key with the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2 // Source: Brice Zerouk – Frandroid
The Galaxy SmartTag 2 button
There is a button at the bottom of the Galaxy SmarTag 2. This comes in handy if you lost your phone. One click on the button and the precious cell phone rings.
However, you can also configure other uses for the same key. This makes it possible to control certain home devices with a double press or a long press. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to try out this feature when discovering the product.
Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2 // Source: Brice Zerouk – Frandroid
Finally, another good thing to know: Anyone who finds a Galaxy SmartTag 2 can scan the key chain via NFC, regardless of the operating system used (Android or iOS), and thus display a contact card on their smartphone.
Price and release date
The Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2 is available in white or black and officially costs 39.99 euros. The four-pack costs 129.99 euros. To better protect the device or attach it to your pet’s collar or bike, special cases are available separately.
Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2 // Source: Brice Zerouk – Frandroid
The Galaxy SmarTag 2 will go on sale on October 11th. An introductory offer valid until the end of November allows you to get a fifth tracker when you purchase the four-pack.