Nokia is preparing to launch a proximity sensor accessory for its range of Lumia Windows Phones. Sources familiar with Nokia's plans have revealed to The Verge that the Finnish smartphone maker will debut a "Treasure Tag" accessory that combines Bluetooth 4.0 and NFC to track items from a phone. The Treasure Tag will pair with Lumia Windows Phones via NFC, and Nokia will ship the device with a loop strap to attach it to a set of keys.
The basic idea is to let Windows Phone users track items with a special application and the small square Treasure Tag accessory. Tile, a recently funded Kickstarter project, is very similar in concept to Nokia's device, and works with Apple's iPhone. Nokia has built a Treasure Tag application for Windows Phone that will let users manage the sensor and locate it when it's lost. The app will also display the location of the sensor on a map, complete with Nokia's LiveSight augmented reality view. You'll also be able to locate a phone that's paired to the sensor by holding down a key on the device. The sensor will trigger a notification sound on a phone, but only if it's within range.
Treasure Tag is designed to be "always on," and includes a battery that will last for around six months of use. Nokia is updating its Lumia Windows Phones with Bluetooth 4.0 support, and the Treasure Tag will be one of the first accessories to make use of the new Low Energy support. We're told that Treasure Tag will debut in the coming weeks, once Nokia starts to roll outs its Amber update that includes Bluetooth 4.0 support. We understand that Nokia is also planning additional accessories that make use of the upcoming Bluetooth update to Lumia Windows Phones.
Aaron Souppouris contributed to this report
Comments
I really hope this costs less than £30. Would like to pick up a few. Also pray it works with HTC Windows Phones.
By Aaron Souppouris on 07.29.13 7:55am
The tile I link below costs $24.95 so it should do.
By Boghog on 07.29.13 7:57am
I will wait to see if enough buyers purchase the tile app so that it is worth while for lost items. Also, can you replace the battery in the Nokia one?
By vergina on 07.29.13 9:33am
Check this out – Its only &20! http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/522397/emal/4703513
By umachi on 09.15.13 4:51am
It probably won’t, as it will need Bluetooth 4.0 – Which only Nokia Phones seem to get in GDR2.
By Elysium on 07.29.13 7:58am
Source?
By wixostrix on 07.29.13 1:43pm
cause I say so , too >:-)
(recently upgraded Lumia 920 with GDR2/Amber)
By CyberAngel on 09.26.13 11:12am
WHy ?
By jrtorrents on 07.29.13 7:59am
Because I have one :) Planning on picking up a 1020 once my wallet lets me.
By Aaron Souppouris on 07.29.13 8:00am
I bet your credit card will let you :)
By BlatantNinja23 on 07.29.13 8:35am
By MicroShaft on 07.29.13 9:54am
even HTC disregard their own windows phones when they’re making accessories, lets hope this will be different.
By jrtorrents on 07.29.13 9:05am
A Verge staffer that actually uses a Windows Phone?! What is this madness?!
Nah, jk. I’m already hyped to use this thing with my 920, I have only one set of non-duplicable keys for my house and I’d be screwed if I lost them.
By barttool on 07.29.13 11:48am
Notice he’s a European reporter though. I’ve heard Windows Phone is more popular on the ‘other side of the pond’.
By SRPuffinstuff on 07.29.13 4:28pm
You have the 8X or 8S, Aaron? Beautiful devices, not the best support though.
By AC44 on 07.29.13 6:14pm
He has an 8s. He said so in his “Whats in my bag” story
By uditrana on 07.29.13 7:34pm
Why not?
By Trollhunter on 07.29.13 8:58am
Like this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqDm3gZNZPM
By VoxMediaUser1161991 on 07.29.13 9:23am
as i just lost my keys and i am a new owner of Purity Pros that i use over Bluetooth, the amber update is sooo exciting :-)
By TerionLanister on 07.29.13 9:26am
It probably won’t, the Bluetooth 4 support was only added to lumia’s via the amber update.
By joshjacob on 08.21.13 5:53pm
HTC already makes this, it’s called the HTC Fetch
http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/30/htc-miniplus-fetch-hands-on/
By Sined on 10.21.13 11:59am
There is a Kickstarter called “Tile” that does this for iPhone
By Boghog on 07.29.13 7:55am
http://www.thetileapp.com/
By Boghog on 07.29.13 7:56am
This actually looks really awesome. The mention that one of the big reasons they didn’t jump to Android is the lack of uniform BT 4 LE support. I wonder if the introduction of that support across the Lumia line will get Tile to consider making an app.
By Richard Simpson on 07.29.13 8:13am
Ok, in simple terms, ANDROID IS FRAGMENTED!
By Luminence on 07.29.13 9:10am