Amazon's new wireless protocol for IoT devices will have trouble finding a customer base

Somewhat lost in the shuffle at its hardware event last week, Amazon announced its Sidewalk IoT device networking protocol. The standard is meant to provide connectivity options in circumstances and use cases where Bluetooth or Wi-Fi don't offer sufficient range, but many devices intended for those use cases don't have the space for a battery to support cellular connections. Sidewalk will operate in the unlicensed 900 MHz spectrum bands and could offer a signal range of up to a mile from a hub, depending on interference and conditions. Amazon hopes to build out an array of access points so that its Sidewalk networks can offer a range of coverage in urban areas. The first device to use this protocol is the Ring Fetch, a tracking device from the Amazon-owned home security company meant to help owners keep tabs on their pets.