Amazon to Automatically Enroll Ring Devices into Sidewalk Mesh Network Starting June 8

Amazon is preparing to turn on a feature named Sidewalk for many of its IoT devices to allow them to stay online even when not connected directly to Wi-Fi.

IoT stands for Internet of Things, which would imply the gadgets are connected to the Internet. Amazon’s line of IoT devices includes doorbells, smart speakers and various cameras. The company wants to create a mesh network across the United States that would let its devices communicate with each other via Bluetooth and FSK, enabling them to stay online even when not connected directly to the Internet.

“Amazon Sidewalk creates a low-bandwidth network with the help of Sidewalk Bridge devices including select Echo and Ring devices,” says the company. “These Bridge devices share a small portion of your internet bandwidth which is pooled together to provide these services to you and your neighbors. And when more neighbors participate, the network becomes even stronger.”

The biggest worry about this initiative is the security aspect, although Amazon says the existing security protocols in the Sidewalk technology are enough. The problem with the company’s approach is that users are enrolled automatically into the program, with the option to opt out if they don’t want to take part in Sidewalk.

The June 8 date advanced by the company is only for enrolling some of the compatible Echo devices into the network, with many others always joined. Amazon plans to enroll many other types of devices and said that third-party companies will also add their hardware into the mix.

As it stands, the Sidewalk enabled devices include:

• Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen)
• Echo (4th Gen)
• Echo Dot (4th Gen, 2020 release)
• Echo Dot (4th Gen)
• Ring Floodlight Camera
• Ring Spotlight Cam
• Ring Spotlight Cam Mount
• Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen)
• Echo (4th Gen)