Nokia Working On Bluetooth-Powered ‘Treasure Tag’ To Track Precious Objects

Is Nokia getting into the accessories business? The Finnish company is reportedly making a Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy-based device that, combined with NFC connectivity, will allow users to “tag” certain objects by attaching it to them, or placing it near them.

Like the Selfstarter-funded Tile, Nokia’s “Treasure Tag” as it will apparently be called will communicate with a Nokia Lumia device via Bluetooth in order to gauge where the tag, and therefore the associated object, happens to be. 

The whole idea is to fix this small device to something that’s precious to you: your keys, your laptop, your shiny golden Ring of Power. You’ll then be able to keep track of said object by using an app on your Lumia smartphone. You’ll even be able to find your phone by sending a notification from the Treasure Tag back to the phone, but that will only work if you’re in range.

At this point, it’s clear that Nokia is creating Treasure Tag to expand the desirability of its Lumia line; this is not a cross-platform product, and is unlikely to work with non-Nokia Windows Phones.

The Treasure Tag app, according to The Verge, will let users see where the tag is on a map, or its last location if it has fallen out of range. LiveSight, Nokia’s augmented reality technology recently integrated in the HERE series of apps, will be available for more easily orienting oneself to the object. Users will be able to activate an alarm to more easily locate the object, too.

In terms of usability, Treasure Tag is ostensibly rated for six months of “always on” usage, and will be inexpensive enough to replace on a bi-annual basis.

The accessory requires Bluetooth 4.0, which Nokia is planning to enable across its entire Windows Phone 8 lineup with the upcoming Amber update, which will begin rolling out shortly.

There’s no word on pricing but similar devices are in the $25 range so it should probably be close to that.

[Via]