Smart tracker. Smart tracker REDMOND: don't let your child get lost or call your keys
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We have written more than once about various devices, part of the Redmond Sky Home series, as the company proudly calls its concept “ smart home" Basically it was different kitchen appliances- multicooker, kettle, coffee maker. However, everything is not limited to the kitchen theme; scales clearly aimed at fitness fans also appeared in our reviews, and even air conditioning equipment- heater. All these devices differ in one thing common feature: they support remote control from a smartphone via Bluetooth, and using a special smartphone gate - also via the Internet, using one “Ready For Sky” program. Today we will look at 3 more devices from this series, which differ modest in size and relatively simple functionality, but very interesting in their own way.
Smart plug Redmond SkyPlug 100S
Characteristics
Equipment
Having opened the box, inside we found the socket itself (more precisely, an “adapter” that plugs into an ordinary socket and carries a similar connector), instructions and a warranty card.
At first sight
And also on the second, third, and all subsequent ones - this is a regular socket in a plastic case white, which has one inconspicuous button on the front side. It's hard to think of anything simpler.
Instructions
If you exclude the mandatory ones, but as a rule no one readable sections- safety, technical characteristics, warranty conditions, etc., etc., the instructions contain one more or less important section - how to pair the device with a smartphone for the first time so that it can be controlled in the future. However, if you install the Ready For Sky application on your smartphone or tablet (iOS and Android are supported), it contains the same instructions.
Control
Initially, the device must be added to the managed list. To do this, you need to install the Ready For Sky application, create an account in it (this is necessary, since all information about managed devices is stored on the server that ensures the functioning of the Ready For Sky technology), log into your account, turn on smartphone Bluetooth(the program itself will ask you to do this), turn on the socket by pressing the button, and then, after the program detects it, follow the program’s instructions. They are very simple and presented in such a way in clear language that even a person who is not very “friendly” with modern computerized technology can perform them.
As a finishing touch, you will be asked to name the device randomly. We would recommend that you immediately think about this question and give such names so that later, when the list grows, you yourself can understand what kind of device it is. we're talking about(our screenshots contain fairly adequate examples). Once the process is complete, you will see the name you just entered in the “online” list.
Now the device can be controlled as long as it is within Bluetooth range of your smartphone. What to do if you want to control from afar? To do this, you need to leave a “gateway” smartphone in the apartment. It must have Bluetooth turned on (to control all devices) and Internet access - no matter what, it can be like mobile connection via GPRS/EDGE/3G/4G and Wi-Fi.
Next, you need to install the R4S Gateway program on the smartphone gate and log in to your Ready For Sky account. After some time, the program will find all devices within the Bluetooth range of the smartphone gateway, which will be reported on the screen.
The program will contact the Ready For Sky server, use it to “find” your smartphone gate and, through it, restore control over the devices wherever you are (of course, provided that both the smartphone and the gate are in this moment there is access to the Internet).
So, in one of two ways (via Bluetooth in close proximity or via the Internet via a smartphone gate from anywhere), we saw our device in the “online” list. Now you can begin the actual control (its capabilities do not depend in any way on the type of connection). To do this, you just need to tap your finger on the name of the device, after which you will enter the menu for managing it. In our case, this is the Redmond SkyPlug 100S socket, to which we gave a simple and understandable name “Socket in the kitchen”.
On the first tab we see the most obvious option: turn the outlet on or off. That is, whether power will be supplied to it or not. The outlet is now turned off. By pointing your finger at the “Off” inscription, you can turn it on. The picture will change to the corresponding one.
The next tab is managing the on/off schedule. Everything is obvious here too.
Using the (+) button you can add another item to the list. Acceptable parameters: specific days of the week (check boxes) or daily, time in 24-hour format and action: enable or disable. The number of schedule points is not specified anywhere.
The next tab is the timer.
Here you can specify after what amount of time the outlet will turn on and after what amount of time it will turn off, after which the timer is started with a separate button. On the screen you can see the countdown to the next event.
The next tab is “Modes”.
Here you can forcibly block the socket (after this, no actions will be performed with it until it is unlocked - neither on/off, nor according to a schedule, nor according to a timer) and also enable the “I’m at home” mode - the socket will turn on as soon as it comes into range Bluetooth of your smartphone and turn off as soon as the connection is lost. It’s clear that when using a gate and controlling it via the Internet, this option is almost meaningless - unless you want the outlet to turn off if the gate loses power and the battery runs out.
The settings menu (three dots in the upper right corner) is almost always the same: it allows you to rename the device or remove it from the managed list, and also displays the software version (not the program on the smartphone, but the firmware of the device itself).
Testing
Testing in in this case consisted of our numerous attempts, using standard methods of influence, to make the device function differently than described in the user manual.
Let's start with a smile: as soon as we successfully "paired" our device using the Ready For Sky app, we immediately received a message that it software is outdated and needs to be updated. Thus, testing began with a futurshock: we observed with our own eyes the procedure for downloading from the Internet and updating the control program via Bluetooth electrical outlet. :)
Let's move on to more serious things. From our readers about the incorrect functioning of the Ready For Sky and R4S Gateway programs on Samsung devices running Android 5.x. We had one such device at our disposal - a Samsung tablet. Galaxy Tab S 8.4, just updated to Android 5.0, and indeed - when testing on it, the Ready For Sky and R4S Gateway applications “unanimously”, 2 times each, completed execution with an error. This indicates that there is a problem, however, given total time testing (about 2 weeks), we would not say that the frequency of “falls” is critical.
On the smartphone officially proposed by Redmond for the role of “gate” Alcatel OneTouch Pixi 3 with OS Android 4.4.2, the R4S Gateway application worked without any complaints continuously for at least a week.
By the way, let us draw your attention to a logical, but not quite obvious fact: you can add a device to the list only if it is in control mode via Bluetooth - that is, it is in contact directly with the controlling smartphone, without an intermediate “gate”. Moreover: if the “gate” was logged in before a new device was added to the account, in order for it to see it, it needs to be logged out and logged in again (apparently, the list of devices is transferred from the server to the gate once, when login, and the mechanism for its dynamic updating is not provided in R4S Gateway).
Another behavioral feature seems more important to us specified programs: the effect that occurs when a device running Ready For Sky software is in close proximity to controlled devices, and switches from Wi-Fi to Bluetooth while the gated smartphone is running at that moment, is quite strange. R4S Gateway can “lose” devices, but Ready For Sky still won’t “find” them. Or Ready For Sky (which is natural) “loses” devices when switching to Bluetooth - but still does not “find” them when switching back to Wi-Fi.
The algorithm that always works is as follows: if you want to switch control of devices from the “gate” to a smartphone via Bluetooth, or vice versa - from a smartphone with Bluetooth to the “gate”, do one simple sequence actions:
- cut off all “threads of control” - log out (log out of your account) all smartphones with Ready For Sky and R4S Gateway;
- if you want to initiate control via Bluetooth, turn on Bluetooth and log in to your smartphone with the Ready For Sky software;
- if you want to initiate control via the Internet, first turn on Bluetooth and log in to R4S Gateway on your smartphone gateway, and only then log in to Ready For Sky with Wi-Fi access on your smartphone.
In this case, everything is guaranteed to work correctly.
However, over time, we began to use a simpler method: we simply always remained in control mode via the Internet. A smartphone with Ready For Sky is at home - so what? At home he has excellent access to the Internet via home Wi-Fi. In reality, the fact that the command from the smartphone each time first went to the Internet, then from there returned to the gate, and only then was transmitted to the device, did not even lead to a second delay in execution - long live modern technologies.
It should be noted that when large quantities devices and high degree Since they are scattered throughout the apartment, you will almost certainly have to face the problem of selecting the physical placement of the gate in such a way that it maintains a stable connection with all Bluetooth devices. We succeeded, but some time to choose optimal point had to spend it.
Next, we “went through” the standard functions of controlling the device (in this case, the socket). Switching on/off - no comments. Switching on/off according to a schedule - no comments. Switching on/off by timer - no comments. Additional functions are the same (remember that when controlled via the Internet, the “I’m at home” function will not work).
However, this seemed to us not enough. We decided to find out what happens in a situation of a completely predictable failure. To do this, an on/off schedule was set for the outlet via the Internet, after which the gate was forcibly turned off. The rosette diligently completed all the items on the schedule. The same effect was observed when setting a schedule via Bluetooth and then turning off the control smartphone. De facto, this means that the schedule is “poured” into the device itself, after which it gains the ability to execute it completely autonomously.
But the outlet did not pass the test for energy independence: if you forcibly disconnect it from the power supply, then the connection to the account is not lost, but all programming (schedules, timers) is lost. What’s pleasing is that it also disappears from the corresponding lists in the Ready For Sky control application, i.e., when the application is connected to the device, it still synchronizes its data with its memory. However, since the devices are not non-volatile, it would be nice to introduce the ability for the management application to save profiles for them that could be reloaded in the event of a failure - just to avoid having to enter the same on/off list every time. In the end, it just gets boring.
Conclusion
So we have two good news:
- it works;
- There are many useful uses for this.
Firstly, even the possibility of regular remote activation can be beneficial. Here, the first thing that comes to mind is various country options, i.e., turning on various devices “from the city” in advance, so that upon arrival a certain effect is already observed - a heated room, hot water in the boiler, etc.
In a city apartment, a very popular function may be to turn on your home computer remotely - if you urgently need something on it, and you are on vacation somewhere at the end of the world.
Secondly, SkyPlug 100S is a very “advanced” timer socket. A schedule of multiple on/offs accurate to the minute, and even distributed by day of the week - perhaps it’s difficult to imagine a broader functionality. Such an outlet can be useful as an addition to any device that does not have this function. For example, why go far, we recently tested the Rommelsbacher GA 1000 thermopot and complained that you can use it as a sous vide, but you will have to monitor the switching on and off yourself. But with a timer socket, you won’t have to.
If you don’t want to waste a lot of electricity, but aren’t thrilled with the prospect of completely freezing Vacation home- turning on the heating for several hours a day seems like a completely reasonable solution (and when the temperature rises to a stable plus even at night, you can remotely block all sockets).
In the end, a radio or TV connected to such an outlet can be used instead of an alarm clock - and there can be several of these alarm clocks, and you can turn it off from your smartphone, and the smartphone is most often accessible from a lying position. ;)
All kinds of equipment for maintaining aquariums, turning on/off lights for animals left alone at home for a short period, and even simulating the presence of people in the home - all this can be easily implemented using several “smart sockets” with a scheduled on/off function.
"Smart base" Redmond SkySocket 202S
Characteristics
Equipment
Having opened the box, inside we found a base, instructions and a warranty card.
At first sight
In fact, SkySocket 202S is the same “adapter” as the SkyPlug 100S socket. It is screwed into the socket for the E27 socket, then a light bulb is screwed into it (with the same E27 socket that is common in our country) - and we get a light bulb controlled via Bluetooth.
Instructions
As in the previous case, the practical benefit of the instructions is that it explains how to add the base to the list of devices controlled from a smartphone. Well, we remind you once again that the maximum power of the light bulb is 60 W.
Control
The SkySocket control need not be described, because it is absolute, up to the smallest details copies the control of the “smart socket”: on/off, schedule, timer, “I’m home” function - everything is exactly the same, on a yellow background instead of green. Only for some reason they removed the blocking function.
Testing
Obviously, despite the complete identity of the control interface, it functioned completely identically - we did not find any differences between SkyPlug and SkySocket, except for the obvious - a plug is inserted into one device, and a light bulb is screwed into the other.
Based on the above, the restriction looks somewhat artificial maximum power 60-watt light bulbs, but it seems to us that in this case there is rather an “ideological” moment: almost all are fluorescent and LED bulbs with an E27 socket they have less power, and incandescent lamps are not environmentally friendly, unfashionable and generally “fiddly”. “Where is the Bluetooth control and where are these dinosaurs of yours?” Redmond seems to be hinting to us. Well, okay, power is not the main thing.
One of the main drawbacks (one might say the only one) of our “smart base” is purely physical. The fact is that it lengthens any light bulb used in conjunction with it by as much as 5.5 centimeters. And that's a lot. How much - you can see for yourself using the example of a regular table lamp(animated image).
As a result, it often suffers at least appearance a modified lamp, and at most, a lamp in combination with a “smart base” may simply not fit into it. In addition, do not forget that each smart base is controlled individually, so it would hardly be rational to equip any multi-lamp chandelier in this way.
With the exception of the above points, the “smart base” did not cause any further complaints, all of its own typical tasks the device worked perfectly.
Conclusion
In the case of a “smart socket”, everything is a little more complicated than with a “smart socket”, but this is natural - the socket can be used with almost any device that connects to electrical network, and the base - only with light bulbs.
It seems to us that this device is present in the Redmond assortment for the simple reason that it logically complements the outlet. It is unlikely that it will ever become as popular, but the main thing is not this, but the fact that those who need the base will get what they are looking for while remaining within the range of the same company.
"Smart tracker" Redmond SkyTracker 08S
Characteristics
Equipment
Having opened the box, inside we found a tracker, instructions and a warranty card.
At first sight
The device is immediately clearly recognized as a key fob. The fact that it is somehow connected with electronics is hinted at by a round button on one of the sides and a green LED built into it, which blinks when pressed.
We were unable to achieve anything more interesting from the SkyTracker 08S without connecting to a smartphone, so the first impressions ended.
Instructions
As with all the other gadgets discussed in this article, the benefit of the instructions is that it explains how to add the tracker to the list of Ready for Sky devices on your smartphone.
Control
In the first lines of our letter, we note that we were unable to figure out some of the functions of the “smart tracker” for a very banal reason: they are not properly described anywhere. The instructions clearly and clearly describe only one process: “binding” the tracker to your Ready for Sky account. As for the color brochure attached to the instructions, it very colorfully tells about What in theory, the tracker should do it - but at the same time completely ignores the explanation of what How he will do it. In two previous cases, the Ready for Sky program helped us: its interface was so obvious that there was no question of any uncertainty. However, the tracker control interface is something completely mysterious and incomprehensible. It seems that it was written not just by another programmer, but by a programmer from another universe.
If you select a tracker from the list of online devices, on the first page you will see an image of some kind of conventional “radar” that shows... the distance to the device in meters? Judging by the inscription and the general meaning of what is happening on the screen, it is logical to assume that this is so. But the distance constantly “jumps”, even if you freeze in place and don’t breathe. Moreover, it jumps well, thoroughly: without leaving the spot, we once managed to see distances from 0.55 m (very close to the truth) to 12.8 m in about 2 minutes! In general, given this “error,” this “locator” is unlikely to help in searching for a lost item.
But if you press the bell, the tracker will beep. This function has always worked stably and without any complaints. Another function that seems to work without problems is temperature measurement. You can see the tracker temperature on the right top corner screen.
If you click on the icon on the map (and if geopositioning is turned on), then a section of the map will actually be displayed and the place where you are will be indicated on it. It’s just not very clear what this has to do with the tracker - obviously, what is being shown is the place where the smartphone is located. Or it is assumed that the tracker is located approximately in the same place with the smartphone, since it is connected to it via Bluetooth, and then, by logging into your Ready for Sky account from another smartphone or tablet via Wi-Fi, we will see approximately where the smartphone that connected via Bluetooth to the tracker? But this is some kind of completely non-standard logic...
What awaits us on the additional functions tab?
Here we have icons of a camera and a motion sensor.
Camera control is another (third and last) function that SkyTracker copes with confidently and stably: if you launch the camera application (for example, from here by clicking on the icon, but you can also in the usual way) and press the button on the tracker - the camera will take a photo. In this way, you can significantly increase the coverage for selfies - for example, by leaning your smartphone against the back of a bench and moving away with a large group of friends at a distance of 10 meters - not a single selfie stick can do that!
The motion sensor submenu allows you to monitor an object to which the tracker is attached - either for the presence of movement, or, conversely, for the absence of it.
Apparently, this sensor is based on the “radar” readings from the first page. And already knowing what’s wrong with these readings, you can certainly predict what’s wrong with the motion sensor. That's right: he thinks the tracker is moving constantly, even when he is lying still.
It was also stated that the user will receive warnings that the tracker has left the Bluetooth range. "Better not!" - we will say. At least on at this stage- because in half an hour a smartphone can “lose” the tracker 5-6 times (at a distance of one and a half meters from it and in the complete absence of any obstacles or partitions). And one time we observed an even more striking phenomenon: the smartphone suddenly began to signal that the motion sensor on the tracker was triggered, which, according to its own testimony, was offline!
Testing
Actually, testing, we believe, was successfully carried out in attempts to control the device. Any additional procedures were unlikely to make sense.
Conclusion
We would say that the device “looks unfinished” - but why these euphemisms? He doesn't "look" like one - he very clearly is one. Perhaps someday it will work decently and useful device, but now it gives the impression of an engineering sample, and not even in beta, but in alpha version.
General conclusions
Let's forget about the tracker for now. ;) The “smart socket” and “smart socket” we tested can be called fully established, functional devices, each of which has its own scope and capabilities. Due to its greater versatility, the most successful product will likely be the socket. By the way, even outside the rest of the “smart home” paraphernalia from Redmond - multicookers, coffee makers and fitness scales - a set of several such outlets in itself can help solve some ordinary everyday problems.
Of course, the time has not yet come for Redmond to rest on its laurels: even our not very long testing revealed a sufficient number of rough edges, slippery aspects that should be brought to mind, and simply functions that would be nice to add. However, in general, the combination of smartphone - gate - “smart” device, already at this stage, in two cases out of three, demonstrated quite stable operation over the course of long period time and it is quite possible that there will be people who will adapt these “ smart gadgets"for your practical needs.
REDMOND RFT 08S is a well-thought-out device with which you can find any object. The tracker even tracks the movement of pets. Simply attach the device's carabiner to the collar. This makes walking off-leash easier. Open special application, and the Bluetooth tag will show where the object is. Let's take a closer look at the characteristics of the device.
Characteristics
The big advantage of REDMOND RFT 08S is its compactness. The device is made in the form of a square oblate box measuring 37 × 37 × 5.5 mm, which allows it to be placed in any comfortable spot. The weight of the device (15 grams) is not felt, so it is convenient to take it with you or attach it to an animal’s collar.
Brief technical specifications smart tracker:
- Remote control capability - Ready for Sky technology
- Wireless connectivity – Bluetooth module
- Compatible for pairing – Android and iOS smartphones
- Maximum search distance at outdoors–50 meters
- The maximum search distance indoors is no more than 15 meters
- Power source and voltage – 3 V lithium coin cell battery
The manufacturer warns that the model in question will be updated and improved. However, there will be no additional notifications about changes. Read the description of the device on the box upon purchase.
The operation of the device is based on Ready for Sky technology.
This is one of the main features of the tracker. Ready for Sky technology has become the basis for all smart home devices of this company. Connect your smartphone to the tracker and enjoy remote control. Agree, this is much simpler and more convenient than contact commands.
A year ago, Redmond introduced a line of “smart” household appliances Ready for Sky: smart iron, smart coffee maker, heater, power outlet, etc. But time mass use These devices have not arrived yet. U household devices, who can connect with the Internet, smartphones and other gadgets, undoubtedly have a bright future. But it will not come soon. I’ll show this using the example of the Redmond SkyTracker RFT-08S smart tracker.
Redmond RFT-08S smart tracker is a square device measuring 37x37x5.5 mm and weighing about 15 g. The device is powered by a CR2032 battery. Connects to smartphones and tablets via Bluetooth protocol. Devices running Android 4.3 and above or iOS 8.0 and above are supported.
Redmond RFT-08S looks like a keychain. It can be attached to other items to be found at any time by launching the Ready for Sky app.
pros
1. The idea of the device is excellent: searching for lost things. I don't know about you, but I often lose my car keys in the car itself. Why this is so, I don’t know. But the implementation is still lame (more on this in the “Cons” section).
How it works? You hook the tracker to important device and if you lose it, open the Ready for Sky application. It will show how far away the key fob is. You can turn on the sound signal on the tracker.
2. The key fob can be attached to the sash of a window, door, or refrigerator to find out when they open (in this case, you will receive an alert on your smartphone). You can also control the location or movement of any object.
3. Redmond RFT-08S allows you to control the camera shutter remotely (useful for hidden shooting). You can take photos, turn video recording on and off.
4. The tracker can remind you of important daily actions: taking pills, feeding animals, calling a friend, etc. This is not implemented very conveniently.
5. Another nice option: a built-in thermometer that determines the ambient temperature.
Minuses
1. Price. Now Redmond RFT-08S can be bought for 1.5-2 thousand rubles. It's still expensive. However, on the official website the price has been reduced to 799 rubles.
2. Communication range: 10-15 meters indoors, up to 50 meters outdoors open space. This is very little. You can only find something if you are close to the lost item. But there’s nothing you can do about it: Bluetooth 4.0 limits the communication range.
3. Communication stability. I tested the key fob for about 15 minutes. During this time, the key fob briefly lost connection twice.
Conclusion
The device is necessary (you can attach it to your keys if you lose them in the apartment, or to other items), but it’s still expensive. The main disadvantage is the low search radius. If the price drops significantly, you can take it. The price will decrease only when many competing products appear on the market, and marketers convince everyone that they urgently need to run out and buy “smart” household appliances.
If your child has ever run away from you on the street, someone has stolen your suitcase during a trip, you often lose your car keys or the car itself in a parking lot - the REDMOND SkyTracker smart tracker will definitely come in handy.
The smart tracker itself is not a new phenomenon: dozens, if not hundreds of models of various Bluetooth key fobs are sold at bargain prices in Chinese online stores. How does REDMOND SkyTracker compare favorably with them? Let's find out in our detailed review.
Design
Smart Bluetooth key fobs have the most varied design, however, as a rule, they are all quite thick - 7-8 mm at best. The REDMOND tracker is 5.5 mm thick, it is very compact and almost weightless. The case is square, with a side of 37 mm, made of pleasant matte plastic. There are several color options - black with a bright colored insert or white with a colored insert - as they say, “for him and for her.”
Nutrition
REDMOND SkyTracker is powered by a coin cell battery – CR2032. Considering that Bluetooth LE (“low energy consumption”) is used for communication, one battery lasts more than 2 months. A long period of intensive use of the REDMOND SkyTracker (from January to March) discharged the battery in the test tracker to only 30%. Trackers and key fobs using regular Bluetooth “eat” the battery 4-5 times faster.
Control
The smart tracker can be used either in conjunction with a smartphone via Bluetooth or via the Internet. All control is through the interface of the Ready for Sky application, already familiar to regular readers of the REDMOND blog, which can control any REDMOND smart equipment. Program requirements: Android 4.3 and newer, or iOS 8.0 and newer. To communicate with the Redmond smart key fob tracker, you will need Bluetooth 4.0. To control via the Internet, you need an additional gateway device (gateway), which will transmit commands received from the user via Bluetooth to the smart tracker. Read more about how the Ready for Sky technology works in this article.
The control interface of a smart Bluetooth tracker is as simple as possible; we will talk about it in parallel with a description of functions and application scenarios.
Like a keychain
What can the REDMOND smart tracker do and in what cases can it be useful? Among the main functions of the tracker is to give a loud sound signal upon command from a smartphone (from the Ready for Sky application). If you can't find your keys or TV remote control, just call them. The squeak is long, loud, and within Bluetooth range it will be heard, even if the room is crowded and noisy. A hundred percent of Bluetooth key fobs have a similar function, and in ninety percent it is the only one.
Like a tracker
The following functions are not found in every Bluetooth key fob. And from the experience of testing several Chinese models It is worth noting that in the majority of even advanced smart trackers, the software is not fully developed and constantly glitches, crashes and displays an error. The Ready for Sky application, at the same time, is quite stable, and it also supports many languages (including Russian). In the case of Chinese models, you will be lucky if the control program is at least in English, otherwise you will have to decipher the hieroglyphs or figure it out at random.
The REDMOND SkyTracker smart tracker differs from Bluetooth key fobs in that it can be used, in fact, as a tracker. On the smartphone screen in the Ready for Sky application, something like a “radar” is displayed, showing the distance to the device. This radar works based on the strength of the Bluetooth signal. Only the distance is displayed, not the direction. That is, searching for a tracker is similar to the children's game “hot and cold.” The tracker function is useful for finding, for example, a car in a large parking lot. If you come to any shopping center on a weekend, in a “conspicuous” car such as a silver Hyundai Solaris or a silver Lada Granta, after 2-3 hours of grueling shopping, it can be difficult to find your car among thousands of exactly the same ones. And here REDMOND SkyTracker will help you choose the right direction - the application will indicate how far or close you are to the smart tracker and, accordingly, to your car.
Another option for using the REDMOND smart tracker to search for lost/abandoned items is location detection. By clicking a button with a familiar icon from the interface Google Maps, you will be able to see the exact coordinates of the place where the Bluetooth connection between your smartphone and the tracker was lost. "Where did I leave mine? travel bag, at home or in the office? Yeah, home!”
The “anti-loss” function (also known as “anti-theft”) is the ability to set the key fob to notify you about the start of movement. The notification comes to the smartphone and is accompanied by a loud signal, something like steamship whistle. Again, difficult to miss. You left your suitcase near the bench in the waiting room and went to buy mineral water from the machine. If you hear a beep, it means someone has decided to steal your suitcase (or just kicked it).
In addition, the tracker in motion alert mode is useful when used via the Internet. REDMOND SkyTracker can be thrown into an envelope with a stash from your wife, put in a box of candy that children should not take, or attached to the refrigerator door that a dieting mother-in-law should not open. And as soon as someone disturbs the cache, you will receive a notification on your smartphone and will be able to quickly take educational measures.
Another option for “anti-loss” is notifications when the REDMOND smart tracker has left the Bluetooth coverage area (about 15 meters indoors, up to 50 meters outdoors). fresh air). This is useful if your child or pet likes to run away while walking. A notification about loss of connection will remind you to be vigilant, and will force the absent-minded user to look around while the “fugitive” is still in sight. Again, when communicating via the Internet, you will receive a notification when the tracker leaves the location you have designated. It is, of course, not good to spy on your loved ones, but by discreetly putting a light and small tracker in your jacket pocket or backpack, you will know exactly when your children go for a walk without permission. And safety comes first!
Bonuses
As a “bonus”, the REDMOND SkyTracker smart internet tracker comes with two additional functions. The first is a thermometer. You can simply quickly find out what the temperature is where you are. And you can use the tracker’s readings to understand whether your suitcase is warm (still on the station premises) or already in the cold (taken outside).The second function is quite unexpected - when you press a button on the REDMOND SkyTracker body, it releases the shutter of the smartphone camera. That is, it can replace a selfie stick. This will come in handy if you want to take photos with the whole family. In addition, pressing a button on the tracker will allow you to capture something discreetly on your phone. For example, if you come across something like the one in the photo below in a subway car, but you don’t want to embarrass anyone and obviously film it with your phone, you can press a button on the tracker and the phone will take a photo of everything. From the outside it will look like you are reading something from your phone and at the same time switching songs on a small mp3 player.
Bottom line
So, why is it worth buying a Redmond SkyTracker smart tracker for 1,490 rubles, and not a Chinese Bluetooth key fob for 1,000 rubles? There are several reasons.Firstly, build quality and durability. The REDMOND tracker is firmly assembled, using high-quality reliable materials. Agree, carrying a peeling piece of plastic on your keys or bag is a dubious pleasure. Therefore, quality still plays an important role.
Secondly, the quality of the software. The Ready for Sky application is stable, works on most new devices (gadgets on iOS 8.0 and later are supported, as well as Android 4.3 and later), and is well localized. The software accompanying Chinese key fobs is often buggy and crashes, may not be supported on new smartphones and, as a rule, is supplied only in Chinese.
Thirdly, functionality. Yes, some of the functions that REDMOND SkyTracker has are occasionally found in the Chinese. However, buying a Chinese gadget is always a lottery (especially in the case of cheap models), and in the case of a large product famous brand you can be sure that all declared functions will work 100% correctly.
And finally: it’s worth remembering that the REDMOND SkyTracker has an official warranty and service maintenance in Russia. In the case of Redmond, all this is guaranteed by the Consumer Protection Law, and in the case of Chinese online store– the seller’s honest word. And you can find out even more about the tracker