Apple Tags Could Help Track Coronavirus

[GadgetBen]

Something occurred to me today. If Apple are building a mesh style network to help track Apple Tags, this technology could be used in an app to allow people to report if they have had, or currently have, coronavirus.

The UK government are already trying to do this with an app here: https://apple.news/A4JHS78XuRd-yoBZYewoJ7Q

’The app will detect other phones in close vicinity using short-range Bluetooth signals, then store a record of those contacts on the device, the sources say.’

But surely, with the technology that Apple have with Ultra Wideband, Apple could in theory go beyond Bluetooth and develop a better app on their own?

 

[Handsome Flyer]

Good idea. But there is still a privacy concern to deal with.

 

[Tech198]

Something occurred to me today. If Apple are building a mesh style network to help track Apple Tags, this technology could be used in an app to allow people to report if they have had, or currently have, coronavirus.

The UK government are already trying to do this with an app here: https://apple.news/A4JHS78XuRd-yoBZYewoJ7Q

’The app will detect other phones in close vicinity using short-range Bluetooth signals, then store a record of those contacts on the device, the sources say.’

But surely, with the technology that Apple have with Ultra Wideband, Apple could in theory go beyond Bluetooth and develop a better app on their own?

I know Bluetooth is the default stared nowadays. and more popular over older phones. but aren't they jumping the gun here?

What if you don't enable Bloothtooth? You can't assume everyone will leave it on, or won't they care about those 5% of users like me who choose to only enable it when they need it, then turn it off after ?

Not saying its bad idea, but it will have limitations because of that. There may be no other way.

 

[GadgetBen]

I know Bluetooth is the default stared nowadays. and more popular over older phones. but aren't they jumping the gun here?

What if you don't enable Bloothtooth? You can't assume everyone will leave it on, or won't they care about those 5% of users like me who choose to only enable it when they need it, then turn it off after ?

Not saying its bad idea, but it will have limitations because of that. There may be no other way.

That’s the interesting thing, based on this new article from MacRumors, you may be sending out location based signals when your phone is offline!

AirTags Referenced in New Apple Support Video

Apple has accidentally referenced its widely rumored AirTags item tracking tags in a video that it uploaded to its Apple Support channel on YouTube...

www.macrumors.com

 

[TheSkywalker77]

When I first saw the title I chuckled and thought "no way, how?" but then I read the thread and I must say, this is an interesting idea that could have some potential. I feel like Apple is looking into this behind closed doors, and if they did end up doing something like this it would definitely be more focused on privacy and that could affect how useful it is. We'll see!

 

[GadgetBen]

When I first saw the title I chuckled and thought "no way, how?" but then I read the thread and I must say, this is an interesting idea that could have some potential. I feel like Apple is looking into this behind closed doors, and if they did end up doing something like this it would definitely be more focused on privacy and that could affect how useful it is. We'll see!

I must admit the headline is a bit of an ‘attention grabber’ because it’s not the AirTags themselves but the technology behind them.

Privacy is definitely going to be an issue but Google are now making headline news for revealing the location trends for major cities and county’s:

Google aggregates user location history to quantify COVID-19 impact in 131 countries

Big data is being leveraged around the world to help mange the wide-ranging impact of coronavirus on society. Google COVID-19 location history...

www.google.com

I think Apple can go better than this if they choose to develop a network of location sharing where the user has to ‘opt in’.

It will be interesting to see if the new low cost iPhone expected out very soon will contain an Ultra Wideband chip.