AirTags Shown Off in 3D Animation That Could Appear During Pairing Process

[MacRumors]

2021 is expected to be the year that Apple finally releases its long-awaited AirTags item trackers, and ahead of time, YouTuber and leaker Jon Prosser has shared a 3D animation of the accessory that was allegedly created by Apple.

Prosser says he obtained the animation from a software engineer, who believes that it may be presented to users in a future iOS version. Apple shows a similar 3D animation for several other accessories during the pairing process on an iPhone or iPad, including various HomePod and AirPods models and more.

As seen in previous mockups, AirTags are expected to be small, circular tags with a polished silver metal disc on the rear.

Similar to Tile, AirTags will help users keep track of their personal belongings, such as their keys, wallets, and backpacks, with users receiving a push notification on their Apple devices when they are separated from a tagged item. In 2019, MacRumors obtained screenshots showing that AirTags will be managed through a new Items tab in the Find My app.

AirTags are expected to support Ultra Wideband for improved location accuracy, as well as Bluetooth LE for broader compatibility with devices. AirTags are also expected to offer augmented reality functionality for locating misplaced items.

Thanks to Apple accidentally referencing AirTags in a YouTube video last April, we know this accessory is the real deal, but an exact release date still remains up in the air. Apple typically holds its first event of a year in March, but with in-person events not being hosted any time soon, a virtual event or press release is possible at any time.

Article Link: AirTags Shown Off in 3D Animation That Could Appear During Pairing Process

 

[sniffies]

I would like to track my girlfriend secretly.

If I put that thing in her sushi platter, what are the chances of her swallowing it without biting on it? How small is it anyway?

 

[mozumder]

Pretty sure Apple is never going to release this, as it's going to be a massive privacy violation.

Stalkers could put these trackers in people's cars and they would never know (assuming reports of it being anonymous are true)

Edit: And no, Tile doesn't let you passively track it. You have to register each Tile with the Tile app to use them. I know, I already lost my Tile before I registered it.

 

[calstanford]

I feel like they're the new Airpower. Such a long long long wait for such a little thing

 

[HeavenDynamic]

I don't think Apple would include regulatory mentions like "Assembled in China" in the pairing process.

 

[markfc]

10 minute video for 5 seconds of product. Gotta love the internet.

 

[ersan191]

Shut up, Prosser.

 

[Eightarmedpet]

It's still a render. That guy its awful.

 

[Spock]

Again with the AirTags..

 

[BlueCreek]

Who the hell is Prosser? That video is just awful.

“Apple have my face and fingerprint”

No, they really don’t... your thinking of Google.

 

[adamjackson]

AirTags are the iWalk of 2021.



for those newbies - https://www.macrumors.com/2001/10/22/spy-photos-iwalk/

 

[cmaier]

Pretty sure Apple is never going to release this, as it's going to be a massive privacy violation.

Stalkers could put these trackers in people's cars and they would never know (assuming reports of it being anonymous are true)

They can do the same thing with a tile, an iphone, etc.

 

[zackkitzmiller]

Pretty sure Apple is never going to release this, as it's going to be a massive privacy violation.

Stalkers could put these trackers in people's cars and they would never know (assuming reports of it being anonymous are true)

Or you could use one of the other million options already available to do this. Tile, any GPS tracking device, hell you could leave your iPhone or Apple Watch in their car. This isn't a privacy concern that isn't already extremely pervasive.

 

[justperry]

Airtags...Skip to 6:03, the rest is filler.

 

[Chytin]

AirTags will be released as soon as Apple found them.

 

[subi257]

Are they swallowable?

Specifically, I would like to track my gf by secretly feeding it to her in her sushi platter

It will only work for about 24 hours until she poops it out 😂

 

[rjohnstone]

Looks like Samsung may release their own version on Jan. 14th.

Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Smart Tag will help you find your lost devices

Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Smart Tag is a Tile-like device that will use the company's SmartThings feature to help you locate lost devices.

www.xda-developers.com

 

[justperry]

It will only work for about 24 hours until she poops it out 😂

Attach hooks.😁

 

[-DMN-]

I can't imagine a tracking device like this to become a mainstream hit. Useful yes, but how many iPhone owners already use something like this on a daily basis?

 

[iAFC]

2021 and Jon Prosser still makes headlines on MacRumors

 

[subi257]

Pretty sure Apple is never going to release this, as it's going to be a massive privacy violation.

Stalkers could put these trackers in people's cars and they would never know (assuming reports of it being anonymous are true)I tiki's that's a non issue...If I want to track a friend, etc, just dropped a "Tile" in their car....of a spare old iPhone under the seat, etc. Thee are so many ways to track a person these days...if wanted.

 

[justperry]

I can't imagine a tracking device like this to become a mainstream hit. Useful yes, but how many iPhone owners already use something like this on a daily basis?

You might misunderstand how this thing works, there is no similar device of this size that does what this is going to do.

Edit:
Seems like I need to edit this to explain since some others (downvoters) don't seem to understand.

Example:
I enjoyed my holiday in a place somewhere far away, after a return flight I realize I lost my purse with an Airtag inside, even though I am not even close to the purse, might be 1000's of miles away from me, I look at my phone and locate it through "Find my", other iPhones will be used as a relay to pinpoint the exact location of the purse, like a mesh network.

 

[insomniac86]

They can do the same thing with a tile, an iphone, etc.

100% correct.

 

[mazz0]

Looks like Samsung may release their own version on Jan. 14th.

Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Smart Tag will help you find your lost devices

Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Smart Tag is a Tile-like device that will use the company's SmartThings feature to help you locate lost devices.

www.xda-developers.com

I know Samsung *have* designers, but do they only aks them to work on a product once Apple have released a competing one?

 

[mazz0]

You might misunderstand how this thing works, there is no similar device of this size that does what this is going to do.

As I understand the rumours this is going to do exactly what Tile does, only better. No similar device that does what this does *as well as this does*, but certainly similar devices exist.