Apple Announces AirTag Tracking Devices Starting At $29 Each

[DeepIn2U]

Apple can't track any tags, and neither can anyone else except the owner. Basically, the position reports by finder devices are encrypted with a public key sent out by the tag, and the corresponding private key is only known to the owner of the Apple ID that the tag is associated with. If the tag is close to the owner, the owner's phone detects it's BT/UWB signal directly, which again doesn't disclose the location to Apple.

If you want to know the technical details, they are described in this paper:

Who Can Find My Devices? Security and Privacy of Apple's Crowd-Sourced Bluetooth Location Tracking System

Overnight, Apple has turned its hundreds-of-million-device ecosystem into the world's largest crowd-sourced location tracking network called offline finding (OF). OF leverages online finder devices to detect the presence of missing offline devices using Bluetooth and report an approximate...

arxiv.org

Thanks for clarifying this ... and link to the white paper - this will make for good reading. Cheers

You said a finder of a tag shouldn't be able to stay anonymous, that's what I disagree with. Sure, sometimes it could perhaps help to identify a thief. But in many more cases it would compromise the privacy of innocent people who happen to be near enough to the tag that their phone can detect it.

To clarify ... I didn’t say any finder of an AirTag ... I was specific (I think) to a theif moving about with an AirTag.

To be clear a thief would not be the owner of an AirTag.
By design, as you’ve clarified Apple cannot track.
However AirTag’s knows the owner is moving with an AirTag ... how is this different if a theif or a stranger that finds lost/stolen item moves with the AirTag connected item continuously for any short or long period of time then?
The AirTag is still communicating as you’ve stated to the iOS compatible device and updating location along the way.

- tracked. Encrypted or not, Apple doing it directly or just the technology letting presence known ... the AirTag is tracking or being tracked by iOS compatible device holder. By this design ... even if said person is not a thief, just a stranger unknowingly or knowingly (carrying item to meet you) is being tracked for the period of carrying AirTagged item.

If an AirTag is faulty, how would Apple know when customer contacts support?
How would Apple know it’s ok to replace or refund the device to the purchaser? Do they just go by their word? Potential grey area I don’t know.

Guess white paper would help me understand and may answer these questions I may have.

I’m curious

 

[Rigby]

Thanks for clarifying this ... and link to the white paper - this will make for good reading. Cheers


To clarify ... I didn’t say any finder of an AirTag ... I was specific (I think) to a theif moving about with an AirTag.

But not everybody who moves with the tag is automatically a thief. What if a tag was lost on a bus, for example? Should the iPhones of everyone who happens to ride the bus now start tracking their locations and report them to Apple or the police? What would you say if your iPhone did something like that without your knowledge and consent?

- tracked. Encrypted or not, Apple doing it directly or just the technology letting presence known ... the AirTag is tracking or being tracked by iOS compatible device holder. By this design ... even if said person is not a thief, just a stranger unknowingly or knowingly (carrying item to meet you) is being tracked for the period of carrying AirTagged item.

No they are not, because the location reports uploaded by that person's device are encrypted and anonymous. The system is specifically designed so that it is not possible for Apple to trace them back to a specific device, person, or location.

If an AirTag is faulty, how would Apple know when customer contacts support?
How would Apple know it’s ok to replace or refund the device to the purchaser? Do they just go by their word? Potential grey area I don’t know.

Not sure what you mean. A stolen tag is useless for the thief, since they can't disassociate it from the owner's Apple ID. It's similar to an iPhone's activation lock.

 

[DeepIn2U]

But not everybody who moves with the tag is automatically a thief. What if a tag was lost on a bus, for example? Should the iPhones of everyone who happens to ride the bus now start tracking their locations and report them to Apple or the police? What would you say if your iPhone did something like that without your knowledge and consent?


No they are not, because the location reports uploaded by that person's device are encrypted and anonymous. The system is specifically designed so that it is not possible for Apple to trace them back to a specific device, person, or location.


Not sure what you mean. A stolen tag is useless for the thief, since they can't disassociate it from the owner's Apple ID. It's similar to an iPhone's activation lock.

you've misquoted me in the last paragraph - I wasn't referring to a thief situation therein.

I never said everybody is a thief, my last post gave 2 situations - thief or stranger - i think you really missed that. So your first paragraph I agree something just lost or left on a bus. Anyone on a bus with an iphone 11/12 ... would track and update for say an AirTag lost bag ... unless some algorhythm chooses the nearest iphone.

 

[Wellsn]

I love all my Apple integration and have for decades, but when I buy my Apple Car it will look beautiful and function well BUT only after I buy the Apple steering wheel, apple wheels, and bumpers. So tired of this routine. My Tiles work great for $48 a 4 pack, dongle included. I have been an Apple maximalist for decades, but not here. I'm fine with my Tile. I also like that I CAN attach them to my kids and dogs and TIle doesn't shut me out. I guess my apple stock will enjoy this but not me on this one.

I seriously love apple's seamless integration but this is another Dongle deal breaker. not paying 4x as much (with key chains) for a non-Tile which I use regularly on my kids, dogs and kid backpacks quite well.

 

[futurist101]

Indeed, only Apple could keep a straight face by saying pay $29 for the actual device but accessorize it with a $449 holder. Note it says 'from' $449.

I am ordering 4 of them, I will get 4 holders from Amazon for under $29.

Apple is generally considered a "luxury" tech brand. They are offering a product that would probably only appeal to a miniscule segment of their users. However, what is the problem with that? Do a search for Hermes key rings and you'll see used items being sold for over $200.

 

[LeeW]

pple is generally considered a "luxury" tech brand.

Rubbish. Apple is not a luxury brand, they just sell luxury accessories from 3rd parties. They are a premium brand.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I wonder how this will work with long distance travel. There’s been a couple of occasions where my luggage was put on a different flight and it was sent to me 3-4 days later.

If I would use an AirTag in this case - it would be seperated from me, its owner, for a long time. So will it start beeping like crazy then while attached to (or inside) the suitcase? And will the luggage handler, who happens to have an iPhone, get a popup that an “unidentified” AirTag is near them?

From what I read, that scenario will occur after 3 days of separation from the owner of said AirTag.

 

[futurist101]

Rubbish. Apple is not a luxury brand, they just sell luxury accessories from 3rd parties. They are a premium brand.

Even though you don't consider them a luxury brand other people might. And they are selling the product at a price that is similar in price point to what Hermes sells similar products for. What is your issue with that?

 

[alphasports]

Wrong. The range is unlimited because it piggybacks off every iPhone on the planet to track it's location. You don't need to be anywhere near it.

Good to know, would be nice if they told you that.

 

[lovehateapple]

Apple needs to invent golf balls with a Find My U1 chip in it, 😉. Would definitely speed up play if all golfers could easily find their errant shots. Who's with me on this? 😂