Amazon Sidewalk Explained

Amazon Sidewalk
Purpose:Internet of things long-range connectivity
Developer:Amazon Inc.
Based On:Bluetooth low energy, LoRa
Hardware:Ring Floodlight Cam (2019), Ring Spotlight Cam Wired (2019), Ring Spotlight Cam Mount (2019), Echo (3rd gen and newer), Echo Dot (3rd gen and newer), Echo Dot for Kids (3rd gen and newer), Echo Dot with Clock (3rd gen and newer), Echo Plus (all generations), Echo Show (2nd gen), Echo Show 5, 8, 10 (all generations), Echo Spot, Echo Studio, Echo Input, Echo Flex.

Amazon Sidewalk is a low-bandwidth long-range wireless communication protocol developed by Amazon.[1] It uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for short distance communication,[2] and 900 MHz LoRa and other frequencies for longer distances.[3]

History

The idea of the Amazon Sidewalk wireless network originated from a startup called Iotera, founded by Rob Barton and Ben Wild. They launched the idea of a crowd sourced mesh network through a Kickstarter campaign in 2014.Iotera was acquired by Ring Home Security in late 2017 and after Ring was acquired by Amazon in 2018,[4] the Amazon Sidewalk project began building on top of the Iotera technology.In September, 2019, Amazon announced the Amazon Sidewalk network and a domestic pet collar called Fetch (developed together with Tile) as the first device which would use the network.[5] The network is composed of existing customers' Echo smart speakers which act as the bridges between Sidewalk and the Internet.[6]

In September 2020, Amazon started seeking hardware developers to partner and develop devices for the network.[7]

In May 2021, Amazon and Tile announced plans to use Sidewalk to compete with the AirTag tracker device and associated location service from Apple.[8] CareBand starts a pilot with Amazon Sidewalk to support people living with dementia in smart neighborhoods.[9]

Amazon launched the network in the US on June 8, 2021.[10] [11]

In March 2023, Amazon opened the network up for outside developers to access, providing free test kits for developers to build Sidewalk devices. Amazon stated that more than 90% of the U.S. population was covered by the Sidewalk network.[12]

Reception

Amazon Echo devices have Sidewalk enabled by default and do not inform their owner about it. The feature can be disabled via the official app.

A number of prominent news publishers, including The Guardian,[13] ArsTechnica, CNET,[14] PCMag,[15] Click2Houston,[16] and Bleeping Computer,[17] expressed concern with opt-out nature of the network and published guides how to disable Amazon Sidewalk.

Amazon stated that "the maximum bandwidth of a Sidewalk Bridge to the Sidewalk server is 80 Kbps, which is about 1/40th [2.5%] of the bandwidth used to stream a typical high definition video."[18] This comparison is misleading for ADSL connections with upstream bandwidth more limited than downstream bandwidth: 80 Kbps approaches 20% of the capacity of a 448 Kbps uplink.

Technology

Amazon Sidewalk amalgamates multiple physical-layer wireless networking protocols and presents them into a single application layer they call "Sidewalk Application Layer".

Transmission technologies:

Devices

The following devices support Amazon Sidewalk:

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Amazon Sidewalk is a new long-range wireless network for your stuff . TechCrunch . 26 September 2019.
  2. Web site: Bush. Steve. 2020-09-21. Amazon engages with Nordic, Semtech, SiLabs and TI on 'Sidewalk' 900MHz + 2.4GHz network. 2020-09-23. Electronics Weekly. en-GB.
  3. Web site: Rayome . Alison DeNisco . Amazon Sidewalk extends beyond Wi-Fi and Bluetooth range to control more gadgets . CNET . 26 September 2019 . en.
  4. Web site: 2018-04-12 . Amazon and Ring Close Acquisition—Now Working Together to Empower Neighbors with Affordable Ways to Monitor their Homes and Reduce Crime in Neighborhoods . 2023-09-09 . Press Center . en.
  5. Web site: 2019-09-27. Introducing Amazon Sidewalk. 2021-05-15. US About Amazon. en.
  6. Web site: 2020-09-21 . Amazon adds Tile to Sidewalk wireless network; says Echo devices can serve as bridges; explains bandwidth sharing . 2020-09-23 . GeekWire . en-US.
  7. Web site: Amazon Sidewalk paves the way for more connected communities. 2020-09-23. developer.amazon.com. en-US.
  8. News: John Fortt. May 7, 2021. Amazon partners with Tile to take on Apple AirTags. CNBC.
  9. Web site: Echo, Tile, and Level devices join Amazon Sidewalk . Amazon.com . 7 May 2021.
  10. Web site: Aten. Jason. 2021-05-13. Amazon's Massive Tracking Network Is Turned On By Default. Here's How to Turn It Off. 2021-05-15. Inc.com. en.
  11. Web site: Goodin . Dan . 2021-05-29 . Amazon devices will soon automatically share your Internet with neighbors . 2021-05-30 . . en-us.
  12. Web site: Tuohy . Jennifer Pattison . 2023-03-28 . Amazon has just opened up its Sidewalk network and it’s gigantic . 2023-03-28 . . en-US.
  13. Web site: 2021-06-01 . Amazon US customers have one week to opt out of mass wireless sharing . 2021-06-02 . . en.
  14. Web site: Priest . David . How to switch off Amazon Sidewalk in the Alexa app . 2021-06-03 . . en.
  15. Web site: What Is Amazon Sidewalk and How Do You Disable It? . 2021-06-03 . . en.
  16. Web site: Davis. Amy. 2021-06-01. Amazon plans to share your internet with your neighbors. This is how you opt out. 2021-06-02. KPRC. en.
  17. Web site: Amazon to share your Internet with neighbors on Tuesday - How to opt out . 2021-06-06 . . en-us.
  18. Web site: Amazon.com: Amazon Sidewalk: Amazon Devices & Accessories. 2021-06-07. www.amazon.com.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Amazon Sidewalk".

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