Apple Began Preparing for AirTag Regulatory Approval Nearly Two Years Ago

[amartinez1660]

Tile needs to quit whining and use the tools available to them. I mean, they now have access to the Find My network. Where as before they depended on other Tile users. They can simply try to merge those and eek out an advantage.

What’s also interesting (don’t get me wrong as competition is always good™️) is that there’s a lot of whining that Apple should open up, that they have an unfair advantage (over their own house rules and own platform that they themselves developed), etc... well, you know what? Now that the flood gates are REALLY opened, Tile doesn’t have only Apple to worry about anymore, now they have tons of more competition.
It’s only the beginning and there’s already Apple + three others in line according to the article, all of them with the full fledged likely superior mesh network, is this really any better for them?

 

[Rafterman]

You can tell Apple has put a lot of thought into AirTags and how to avoid people abusing them to violate other’s privacy. I’m sure that along with the pandemic and building out the Find My network led to the long wait for them to be released.

A lot of thought, but in their quest to make their products look "cool", they failed to think of putting a plastic loop on the tag itself, like Samsung did. You are almost required to buy another accessory to attach the tag to most stuff.

 

[haruhiko]

A lot of thought, but in their quest to make their products look "cool", they failed to think of putting a plastic loop on the tag itself, like Samsung did. You are almost required to buy another accessory to attach the tag to most stuff.

I’m sure it definitely is not a fail, but a big win.

 

[jca666us]

The Find My network has a 50 page terms and conditions which is under NDA, but it leaked to the Washington Post.

One of the items is that to use the Find My network, the device can't use any similar network, such as the one Tile already created. They would have to abandon their own network, and thus all of their Android users.

This is exactly why Apple is under anti-trust investigation.

Apple as a developer has created an OS level tool for finding items--it requires no app installation, like Tile does. Tile can't build system level tracking that goes out with every iPhone. But every iPhone Apple sells will help others' track Find My items. But no other developer can do that. No one gets that access but through Apple, and then Apple tells them they can't have any other tracking system, which means they have to give up what they built and abandon their Android customers.

Apple is using its dominance in one field to squash out competition in another. If they let Tile keep their own network and use Find My it would be different, or if Apple made Find My a cross platform feature so that it worked on Android too it might be different. But it seems like it's just one more way to get licensing fees (for Find My products) and to keep users in the iOS ecosystem.

Tile can do something similar to what Chipolo did; keep their existing network and make a device specifically for the "Find My" network.

 

[jca666us]

A lot of thought, but in their quest to make their products look "cool", they failed to think of putting a plastic loop on the tag itself, like Samsung did. You are almost required to buy another accessory to attach the tag to most stuff.

The plus is that it allows you to customize and personalize the look of the device.

 

[555gallardo]

Technically it makes sense, considering the official product page shows it with the iPhone SE 2020.

 

[matrix07]

They would have to abandon their own network, and thus all of their Android users.

No, they are free to use their own network on Android. Keep in mind, unlike Find My, Tile network will know all about your locations.

 

[LV426]

A lot of thought, but in their quest to make their products look "cool", they failed to think of putting a plastic loop on the tag itself, like Samsung did. You are almost required to buy another accessory to attach the tag to most stuff.

I’m looking forward to reports of the first child who swallows one of these things! I wonder what the beeping will sound like coming from the belly of a kid.

 

[rdy0329]

But would having a device able to access two networks make the device less secure? For instance, some entrepreneurial hacker decides to use the Tile network to bridge over to the Find My network and start pulling location & other data.

They should seriously cut their losses and jump on the Find My network. They can differentiate on design and extra functionalities. I’m willing to bet it costs them a lot to run that network hence they needed subscription service model.

the reluctance to let go of their network is leading me to believe that they also make money/insight from data generated by their users (even if anonymized). Something they cannot do on the Find My network.

 

[genovelle]

I would think that they could have access on approval.

Based on their obviously well researched "see you in court" so quickly after the announcement and the fact that they are founding members of an organization that wants to tear down the necessity of the App Store. Gotta ask yourself, If you were Apple would you want to partner with them ? They are small fry, with a sketchy track record and a chip on their shoulder.

I reckon that Chipolo will do more sales in a couple of months, than Tile did in nine years.

Tile can always go Android exclusive should the Apple ecosystem be too locked down for them.

I believe your last sentence is exemplifies why Apple makes a point to participate in these markets. Their product will make trackers mainstream even those they in no way dominate the phone or computer market. If they don’t have their own solution and depend on a company like Tile to support this segment of the FindMy Network they could end up in the same situation they did with Nest. Help them build their business at scale by selling their products across Apple retail and then have a competitor buy them and undermine all the development as in with Home kit. Google immediately gained access to what Apple was working on in secret.

 

[deevey]

A lot of thought, but in their quest to make their products look "cool", they failed to think of putting a plastic loop on the tag itself, like Samsung did. You are almost required to buy another accessory to attach the tag to most stuff.

Correction, you really ARE required to buy another accessory. I mean, I guess you could throw one in a backpack, but its not really convenient for most items.

The lack of hole was IMHO 100% a decision made to boost the accessories market.

However, I reckon it was a great decision to make as it creates an entirely new industry that will likely create thousands of jobs just based on that simple omission. And if you want to cheap out, I'll bet that silicon tag holders will be available online shortly starting at a dollar or so a pop .

 

[1258186]

AFAIK Tile haven’t said if they will or won’t join the Find My network. For all we know they might be working on at the moment.

 

[1258186]

Apple spent years crafting these magnificent AirTags... a product that will create a whole new tech industry/ecosystem. They did it right. They created jobs due to the 3rd party market.

On the flip side, I bet Samsung spent a week on R&D after they heard rumors of Apple's plans... then put their crappy product out right before Apple. Shame on you!

Was it really necessary to criticise Samsung?

 

[1258186]

I find the arrogant and condescending comments on here disgusting. There is no need to constantly ridicule the competition. It’s no wonder so many people hate Apple users. I feel ashamed to be associated with those people.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

With the FCC filings indicating that AirTags were far enough along that they were undergoing regulatory testing in 2019, it suggests that Apple may indeed have pushed back the AirTags launch by as much as a year. While the exact reasoning behind Apple's delay for AirTags remains a point of mystery, an educated guess could be that the company wanted to build out its Find My network before its launch to avoid accusations of anti-competitive behavior.

I think "build out its Find My network" is correct, but I suspect the primary reason was to have a significant number of ultra-wideband devices in deployment prior to roll-out. "Anti-competitive behavior" is probably secondary.

Here's the problem I see with Tile's position. Tile makes its real money from the monthly subscription fees. Find My (with or without tracking tiles) is a free service provided to purchasers of Apple products - it's bundled in as "value-added." A competitor with this advantage hurts Tile's business position, but the consumer benefits financially. Since Apple has been operating Find My as a free service for many years, I think Tile would have a hard time arguing that Apple has targeted Tile with below-market pricing.

 

[goobot]

The Find My network has a 50 page terms and conditions which is under NDA, but it leaked to the Washington Post.

One of the items is that to use the Find My network, the device can't use any similar network, such as the one Tile already created. They would have to abandon their own network, and thus all of their Android users.

This is exactly why Apple is under anti-trust investigation.

Apple as a developer has created an OS level tool for finding items--it requires no app installation, like Tile does. Tile can't build system level tracking that goes out with every iPhone. But every iPhone Apple sells will help others' track Find My items. But no other developer can do that. No one gets that access but through Apple, and then Apple tells them they can't have any other tracking system, which means they have to give up what they built and abandon their Android customers.

Apple is using its dominance in one field to squash out competition in another. If they let Tile keep their own network and use Find My it would be different, or if Apple made Find My a cross platform feature so that it worked on Android too it might be different. But it seems like it's just one more way to get licensing fees (for Find My products) and to keep users in the iOS ecosystem.

They can keep making regular tiles for Android or iOS users that want that cross-plat support

 

[I7guy]

The Find My network has a 50 page terms and conditions which is under NDA, but it leaked to the Washington Post.

One of the items is that to use the Find My network, the device can't use any similar network, such as the one Tile already created. They would have to abandon their own network, and thus all of their Android users.

This is exactly why Apple is under anti-trust investigation.

Apple as a developer has created an OS level tool for finding items--it requires no app installation, like Tile does. Tile can't build system level tracking that goes out with every iPhone. But every iPhone Apple sells will help others' track Find My items. But no other developer can do that. No one gets that access but through Apple, and then Apple tells them they can't have any other tracking system, which means they have to give up what they built and abandon their Android customers.

Apple is using its dominance in one field to squash out competition in another. If they let Tile keep their own network and use Find My it would be different, or if Apple made Find My a cross platform feature so that it worked on Android too it might be different. But it seems like it's just one more way to get licensing fees (for Find My products) and to keep users in the iOS ecosystem.

To me it seems at 50,000 feet having a device such as a Tile Tracker available on two networks at the same time is a security risk waiting to happen. I'm sure that Apple didn't come up with that T&C on a whim, especially if it gives the appearance of some type of anti-trust review.

So it might not really be about lock-down, imo, and more about security. It's not really possible to speculate on the motives of Apple, but this opinion is as viable as the lock-down opinion.

 

[I7guy]

I’m looking forward to reports of the first child who swallows one of these things! I wonder what the beeping will sound like coming from the belly of a kid.

How many children have swallowed airpods? Or even the competitions' in ear headset offerings? I think that is your answer.

Here is one link, but many other outlets share the same regurgitated headline.

7-year-old swallows AirPod he got as Christmas gift

A mother in Georgia rushed her 7-year-old to the emergency room after he swallowed an AirPod he received as a Christmas gift.

abcnews.go.com

It's not a common occurrence, but it's the parents obligation to ensure the safety of kids from choking hazards including but not limited to airpods.

 

[citysnaps]

A lot of thought, but in their quest to make their products look "cool", they failed to think of putting a plastic loop on the tag itself, like Samsung did. You are almost required to buy another accessory to attach the tag to most stuff.

Absolutely no doubt in my mind Apple thought of that. Likely quite a bit of thought; even making multiple internal prototypes.

 

[hdn]

The Find My network has a 50 page terms and conditions which is under NDA, but it leaked to the Washington Post.

One of the items is that to use the Find My network, the device can't use any similar network, such as the one Tile already created. They would have to abandon their own network, and thus all of their Android users.

This is exactly why Apple is under anti-trust investigation.

Apple as a developer has created an OS level tool for finding items--it requires no app installation, like Tile does. Tile can't build system level tracking that goes out with every iPhone. But every iPhone Apple sells will help others' track Find My items. But no other developer can do that. No one gets that access but through Apple, and then Apple tells them they can't have any other tracking system, which means they have to give up what they built and abandon their Android customers.

Apple is using its dominance in one field to squash out competition in another. If they let Tile keep their own network and use Find My it would be different, or if Apple made Find My a cross platform feature so that it worked on Android too it might be different. But it seems like it's just one more way to get licensing fees (for Find My products) and to keep users in the iOS ecosystem.

You seem to be suggesting that third party developers are somehow entitled to have direct access to the Find My network, which Apple built over many years by itself, just like Tile did for its own network. What you fail to recognize is that Apple is not forcing third party developers to use the Find My network—they can continue to operate with their own networks and their own apps on iOS. But, if they do want to enjoy the benefits of the Find My network, they need to comply Apple’s rules, which is fair and reasonable. Tile cannot ask for access to propreitray Apple technology without paying for it or making compromises. It’s not Apple’s fault that Tile doesn’t have its own phone or operating system or as expansive a network as Find My, Apple owe them nothing.

It’s also not anticompetitive for Apple to leverage its successful consumer electronics business when entering another market. The Find My network is comprised of Apple devices that only became popular because Apple put a lot of resources into their R&D, marketing, industrial design and so much more. They’re not trying to “squash out competition”, it’s just that their products are inherently better than existing offerings on that market.

 

[pacalis]

In other news, some iphone case manufacturer complains that iPhones are shaped differently from Samsung phones and they don't want to make different sized cases for the apple ecosystem so apple has to change the shape of its phones, or else... Antitrust... whine etc...

Come on. Tile has access to both networks and, if it's a real problem for their one product, the can make two products like everyone else.

 

[matrix07]

AFAIK Tile haven’t said if they will or won’t join the Find My network. For all we know they might be working on at the moment.

What is Tile thinking (Tile response)

I have a handful of Tiles, and I couldn't find any statement from them regarding the Find My network, and if they were going to get on board. I was hoping they wold to have all trackers in the one app, and the size of the find my community is much bigger. I contacted them directly and the...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[Kabeyun]

Here comes the Tile lawsuit: Apple is unfair! They have a whole ecosystem! We can’t compete! We don't wanna use FindMy! Make them stop!

 

[Nuno Lopes]

One of the items is that to use the Find My network, the device can't use any similar network, such as the one Tile already created. They would have to abandon their own network, and thus all of their Android users.

This is exactly why Apple is under anti-trust investigation.

Haven’t read that document but if that is true Tiles has still a case. It competes with other similar networks.

Even though by definition Apple businesses aren’t a Cartel the company is managing it has one ... people use a fancy name for it “vertical integration”. The funny thing, is that to compete with such business practice probably a Cartel would be need, yet they are illegal.

It uses their device technology and business to restrict and condition third party supply for instance, to than give advantage to their digital services business. To the point that it charges for services not delivered to condition it with the threat of being banned from devices, even devices that no longer owns. Which effectively means, conditioning third parties access to their present customers.

The iOS population is mostly unaware of this practice. What they sell to them are magnificent displays, performant devices so on and so forth.

This is in no way comparable to what happens in Android space or gaming even consoles. For one thing the spectrum of digital services that it covers is “infinite”. Meaning, it covers the entire digital service spectrum. Comparisons are usually casuístic or anecdotal.

From a business perspective, the App Store is a siphon in the digital services space.

 

[I7guy]

Haven’t read that document but if that is true Tiles has still a case. It competes with other similar networks.[…]

Maybe they (Tile) don’t.

[…{
From a business perspective, the App Store is a siphon in the digital services space.

Apple is doing what it can you protect the crown jewels it created, nurtured and grew. I doubt this will end like people envision.