All articles tagged with #uwb
Aqara’s U400 — the first Home Key–enabled smart lock that uses Apple’s UWB for hands-free unlocking — is discounted for the first time in Amazon’s Big Spring Sale to $229.49 (was $269.99). It can also be unlocked via a keypad, fingerprint, or traditional key and uses Matter-over-Thread, with support from Thread border routers like Apple TV or HomePod to run over Thread networks.
Aliro, the new 1.0 smart‑lock standard, lets any smartphone unlock any compatible lock via a digital key stored in the phone’s wallet, with cross‑platform tap‑to‑unlock (NFC) and hands‑free unlocking (UWB). It’s backed by Apple, Google, Samsung and the CSA, and will require an administrative infrastructure (Matter) and new hardware for broad deployment. While some existing locks may receive OTA updates, many manufacturers say backward compatibility isn’t guaranteed, meaning widespread adoption will hinge on new devices and platform support rather than upgrades to current locks.
The Verge reports that digital car keys are evolving through CCC’s Plugfest, with version 4 adding fleet-owner support and a secure “friend sharing” feature that lets owners text a key to others and revoke access, while ongoing device fragmentation and security concerns across iOS/Android and various wireless technologies remain a challenge.
Hackaday walks through a die-shot teardown of the Apple AirTag 2, exposing the device’s silicon stack: a Nordic nRF52840 Bluetooth SoC, a large UWB chip assembly with a visible die for precise localization via an antenna network and time-of-flight, plus a Bosch accelerometer and an SPI memory. The article explains how the UWB system uses multiple antennas for localization and notes that the speaker, tucked deep inside, can be disabled non-destructively, though the process is non-trivial.
Motorola's new Moto Tag 2 offers a significant battery life improvement, lasting over 500 days on a single charge, and features enhanced durability and precise UWB tracking, making it a more reliable and long-lasting item tracker. The product will be available in North America soon, with more details to follow.
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy reviews Aqara's U400 smart deadbolt, the first to support Apple's hands-free Home Key unlocking using UWB technology, offering a faster and more reliable way to unlock doors without physical interaction, especially useful when hands are full or in a hurry.
Aliro, the new open standard for smart locks that enables NFC-based tap-to-unlock and UWB hands-free unlocking, is set to launch in early 2026, allowing Android and other smart device users to access smart locks seamlessly, similar to Apple's Home Key feature, through collaboration among major tech and lock manufacturers.
Rivian has introduced the Rivian Digital Key, which uses Ultra-Wideband (UWB) and Near-Field Communication (NFC) to enhance security and convenience for vehicle access, allowing precise, secure, and backup-enabled entry even if the device is low on battery.
Google confirms that older Pixel models, specifically the Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 7 Pro, do not support the precise UWB tracking feature for trackers like Moto Tag and Find Hub, despite having the necessary hardware, with support only available on Pixel 8 and newer models.
Google's Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 7 Pro, despite having UWB hardware, cannot utilize the new UWB-based Find Hub tracking features, which are limited to newer devices like the Pixel 8 Pro and above, due to unspecified hardware or software restrictions.
The Google Pixel Watch 3 is the first Android device to support Bluetooth Channel Sounding, enabling centimeter-level distance tracking, which could significantly improve item finding accuracy. Although supported after its Wear OS 5.1 update, the feature isn't yet in use, likely awaiting the release of the Find Hub app and Android 16, which will enhance tracking capabilities. This development offers a low-cost alternative to UWB for precise location tracking.
Google's Find My Device app is preparing to support AR and UWB for enhanced directional tracking of devices. The latest app update includes code references to AR Core and UWB, suggesting future features like an AR overlay for finding nearby trackers and improved location history. These updates are not yet live, but indicate potential upcoming functionalities.
Google has finally rolled out Android's Find My Device network, but it also highlights the neglect of UWB technology in Android devices. UWB has potential for short-range communication and proximity detection, but Google and Android have not fully utilized it, despite some upcoming features like "Tap to Cast" on the Pixel Tablet and support for Pixel Watch 3. While UWB is used in Apple's AirTags, none of the trackers announced for Android's Find My Device network currently support UWB. The future of UWB on Android remains uncertain, but there is hope for its integration into more devices and applications.
The Tesla app for iPhones now supports ultra wideband (UWB) in its latest version, offering more reliable and secure digital car key support. This technology provides precise tracking, enhancing protection against spoofing attacks and enabling features such as identifying which user is on the driver’s side of the car. While the update is currently available only for iPhones, some Android phones with UWB chips may receive support in the future. Users can enable this feature by granting the app access to Nearby Interactions in their iPhone settings. The feature is currently limited to the newest Model 3 and 2023 Model X, with plans to extend support to other models in the future.
Tesla has added support for the iPhone's Ultra Wideband chip, allowing for improved Phone Key performance on some cars. The update, version 2024.2.3, enables users to upgrade their Phone Key from Bluetooth to UWB in the Tesla app, enhancing communication accuracy for locking, unlocking, and opening automatic doors. However, this feature is currently limited to certain Tesla models and requires an iPhone 11 or newer with UWB technology. Additionally, while the feature is available for iPhone users, it is not yet supported for Android phones with UWB tech.