In this article, we’ll take a look at how this technology works and the many conveniences that it promises to bring.
The devices that often suffer from connectivity problems are also the devices that exist on the edges of your Wi-Fi network. Examples of devices include sensors, security cameras, smart lights, among other things. As a result of poor connectivity, most people experience difficulties in controlling and utilizing these devices. Even worse, these devices become starved of software and security updates that are required to make them function properly. Then there are other devices, such as location trackers, that also suffer from a limited range. Most of these products rely on Bluetooth, which is only a short-distance protocol.
What Are the Applications for the Technology?
The technology will also help you locate valuables or even pets with the help of a GPS tracker. A GPS tracker is a small device that you put in with your wallet, bag, or dog collar. You can extend your range of search by up to half a mile when using Sidewalk in combination with a tracker. Another thing you can do is to get car alerts regardless of where you park your car. You might even be able to get device status updates even when you’re not home. Another lesser-known but very interesting benefit of having Sidewalk in place is that it can help improve general connectivity. It practically shares the internet signals with devices receiving less of it. This helps increase the bubble of signal to a larger area. With so many devices sharing network signals, a true community-based network is created. These signals allow different devices to communicate within a single network. There are actually two categories of devices that can participate in the network. There are larger devices called bridges and smaller devices called Sidewalk-enabled devices. Sidewalk-enabled devices connect to the network via bridges — devices that take on the Wi-Fi signals. The network is formed when pillars connect with each other, and then smaller devices join in on the network. These two types of devices plus the signals form a low-bandwidth network of devices that can communicate with each other. The Sidewalk network also works independently from standard Wi-Fi protocols. This means that the devices will stay connected even without an internet connection.
What Are Some Examples of How it Works?
In order to demonstrate how the technology works at the level of individual devices, let’s use an example. Let’s say that your doorbell is just out of reach of your internet connection. But your neighbor’s front door is much slower, let’s say 20 feet away. The bridge from your neighbor’s house will detect this. It will then automatically share signals with your doorbell.
What Devices Will Feature Sidewalk?
As for the Ring devices, specific models such as the Ring Floodlight Cam, Spotlight Cam Wired, and Spotlight Cam Mount can serve as bridges. The upcoming Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro will also support Sidewalk and can also act as a bridge for your smaller devices. First off, the system makes use of three layers of encryption. These encryption standards also apply to third-party software that intends to use the system. While they haven’t explained this in detail, we just take it to mean that the program is super secure. When it comes to the bridge, smaller devices will still be able to connect to your network. However, you won’t be able to see them. At the same time, the devices connected to your network won’t be able to see any data related to your bridge. The encryption hides all identities and data of all parties involved. And if you’re wondering if your neighbors will be able to mooch on your Wi-Fi, the answer is no. The same level of protection applies to the Community Finding feature. This lets you locate devices or pets from outside your home. The Community Finding feature works a lot like other pet trackers. It shows you the approximate location of your pet, but not the details of the bridge or owners of the houses nearby. Sidewalk is a low-powered, low-bandwidth network. That means it can transmit signals from devices, but it’s really strong enough to handle video streaming or other high-bandwidth transactions. It also means that the program should have minimal or negligible bandwidth consumption. In other words, it only takes a very small portion of your Wi-Fi signals. According to them, Sidewalk will use a maximum of 500MB of data/month and 80Kbps of bandwidth at a given moment. Of course, the scenario will be a bit different if you’re using a low-bandwidth service. But if you can stream HD videos or games on your computer, then there shouldn’t be any problem.
How Can I Opt Out of Sidewalk?
You can also turn off the Community Finding feature. However, we must note that turning off this feature will keep Sidewalk. In any case, here’s how to turn off Community Finding: Understandably, not everyone will be thrilled about this new project. There are people with ongoing concerns about privacy, while others simply aren’t comfortable with sharing their internet resources with neighbors. We won’t really know if these privacy concerns have merit, but we’ll soon find out how this works in practice. But before you dismiss the program as a security threat, try to keep an open mind and try it out. If you enjoyed this article, you might also enjoy this article about setting up your own home automation system.
