Is Amazon Sidewalk the Next Step in Smart Home Development?
In episode two of 'Smart Home on the Range,' Tod Caflisch explores Amazon Sidewalk, a low-bandwidth, long-range wireless protocol designed to extend the connectivity of smart home devices beyond the range of a home Wi-Fi network. Caflisch examines how Sidewalk works, its potential benefits for IoT device reliability, and the privacy considerations users should be aware of. The episode aims to demystify the technology for homeowners undertaking smart home projects.
This story was produced through MarketScale. See how Industrial IoT teams put it to work with AI Visibility (GEO).
Promoted content from Amazon on MarketScale.
Key takeaways
Amazon Sidewalk creates a shared, low-bandwidth network using compatible Amazon devices to extend smart home device range.
The technology can help maintain connectivity for IoT devices like sensors and locks that fall outside typical Wi-Fi coverage.
Privacy and opt-in/opt-out settings are important considerations for homeowners evaluating Amazon Sidewalk.
Free workspace
Turn your Industrial IoT expertise into content.
Record interviews, organize footage, and write with AI in a free MarketScale workspace. Qualifying companies also get one professional video edit a month. No credit card.
In episode two of Smart Home on the Range, a podcast devoted to the step-by-step design and construction process of a new smart home and other content, Tod Caflisch walks us through some of the mysteries surrounding Smart Home devices and one of Amazon’s newer technologies, Amazon Sidewalk. Caflisch started his renovation projects about seven years ago after a tenure of over twenty-five years in the IT industry.
Amazon Sidewalk is a shared network that, simply put, helps devices “work better” together. Sidewalk claims it can aid with device setup, extend the low-bandwidth working range of devices to help find pets or valuables with accessories like Tile trackers, and help devices stay online even if they are stuck outside the range of their home wireless network. Caflisch remarks, “There’s a road for future Sidewalk development.”
A few out there may be wary of interlinking devices and possibly eating up extra cellular data, but Caflisch implores us with this rallying cry: “But don’t get the impression you have to be some kind of tech expert to use and enjoy Smart Home devices,” he says. Amazon Sidewalk was designed to bridge the gap between wifi and cellular connections, and both Caflisch and Amazon are looking forward to a future where the technology can be seamlessly tied to other devices such as Ring, robotic vacuums, and the like. Follow his adventures in innovation and construction at his website, Smart Home on the Range, and check out MarketScale for more information on home technology.
Article written by Brian Fence.
Part of this channel
Amazon
Amazon's expert content for enterprise technology and commerce buyers.
Your experts belong here
Every story in MarketScale Industrial IoT starts with a company putting its controls engineers, plant-floor specialists, and integration partners on the record. Buyers are already reading this topic. The only question is whose experts they find.
Plant and controls buyers research deep before contact, and your engineers get to shape that research.
About the author
Unique combination of technical and sports business management skills. Visionary with passion for out of the box solutions to complex challenges. Experienced, self-starter with focus on corporate goals and core values. Progressive professional sports IT leader experienced in developing and leading high impact teams through vision, passion and establishment of collaborative working relationships. Successful conceptualizer, driven by challenges. Innovative and decisive with expertise in identifying and capitalizing on cost effective opportunities for continuous improvement.
