Apple's AirTags Rumored for October Launch: Here's What to Expect

[travelsheep]

I will airtag my faith in humanity first.

 

[adam9c1]

Air Tag: $19.95 - $29.95
2-2.5 year battery life
everyone buys them including your mother

Next Year:
Air Tag Pro: $39.95
Charges via wireless airmat

 

[fartunicorn]

Keep it away from little kids. They might accidentally think it’s a mentos.

 

[joeblow7777]

Honestly, how many people loose their 💩 on a routine basis? Or they can’t keep track of their 💩? I just don’t get this item, unless you’re welding this to your 5 year old. I know most people are the walking unconscious, but I so don’t understand the utility of such a product.

I didn’t want to say anything because I thought that I was the only one thinking this, but I don’t really get this either.
I mean, I understand the concept, but I don’t see myself ever wanting to invest in this.

Oh well. Not every product appeals to every consumer. 🤷🏾‍♂️

 

[7149041]

You raised a long time hate of mine in regards to just turning the device off/Aeroplane mode.
Being able to turn the phone off or simply put it in Aeroplane mode to hide it from theft is such an easy loophole.
I should be able to request a PIN for turning the device off and setting aeroplane mode. I assume there's legal reasons why you can't pin code a device to kill power or turn off a radio

Probably (not tested) its enough to wrap a phone in tinfoil to kill radio connectivity anyway. But yeah airplane mode and power off should not be available without unlock.

 

[Abazigal]

Honestly, how many people loose their on a routine basis? Or they can’t keep track of their ? I just don’t get this item, unless you’re welding this to your 5 year old. I know most people are the walking unconscious, but I so don’t understand the utility of such a product.

It’s basically adding the “find my” functionality to your non-Apple devices. This includes your bag, your car, windows laptop (if in the same bag), your android phone, anything.

The value proposition, especially in countries with high Apple device usage, seems fairly obvious to me.

 

[7149041]

I didn’t want to say anything because I thought that I was the only one thinking this, but I don’t really get this either.
I mean, I understand the concept, but I don’t see myself ever wanting to invest in this.

Oh well. Not every product appeals to every consumer. 🤷🏾‍♂️

I have an annoying habit of misplacing my keys in my own home. Swear to God once I put my motorbike keys in the fridge. I’m fighting this habit by having a dedicated spot next to the door, but still the attached Tile was useful a few times. Not that it would work in the damn fridge 😂

I have one on my umbrella too, since I use it so rarely I am afraid to leave it behind accidentally.

Since the app can alert you once your device leaves the range, you will know if someone pickpockets your wallet.

Some people always lose their remotes, too.

Edge scenarios, but still.

 

[7149041]

And? Why would Apple need to give Tile hardware access?

So they can keep track of the Tiles when the app is off

 

[Laces Out]

I guess a bot or just a spammer

She keeps claiming not to be a bot but I’m going with fembot.Digging the pic though. I could see her working a psychic hotline.

 

[matrix07]

So they can keep track of the Tiles when the app is off

Why would anyone trust this kind of functionality to 3rd party company?

 

[7149041]

Why would anyone trust this kind of functionality to 3rd party company?

I would 💁🏻‍♂️ and I did until Apple killed this API in preparation for AirTags.

 

[bushman4]

Apple has supposedly been working on this for a few years if not more. So now lt comes down to how practical they are Most important:
Battery Life
Is Battery rechargeable
Size
Distance it can track

Hopeful Apple has mastered this and the results are good

 

[Ghost31]

A week before the event: “leaker confirms that airtags wont actually launch in October”

a week after the event: “Leaker confirms airbags WILL launch in march though!”

rinse and repeat

 

[matrix07]

I would 💁🏻‍♂️ and I did until Apple killed this API in preparation for AirTags.

I ask why, not who. 🙂

 

[0924487]

I guess you can't stick this to your children and parents...

 

[austyn23]

I am holding out for the Airtags Pro.

hahaha the Airtags will tell you "we found it" and the "pro" will tell you where

😂😂😂

 

[chucker23n1]

Ever heard of Tile???? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA, classic Apple.

rneglia, 2007: "Ever heard of Blackberry???? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA, classic Apple."
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I guess you can't stick this to your children and parents...

 

[and 1989 others]

They will attach to things very simply. For only $29.99 you can purchase a dongle that encases the tag in a silicone case and has a fin with Apple designed hole.

 

[Wando64]

They will probably be lithium ion, but man if they are serious about e-waste they will allow the user replaceable cr2032 batteries.

edit. Never mind. As long as they're "battery serviceable" then let Apple replace for $30 in two years.

A rechargeable Li-Ion battery on something like this could last 10 years.
Definitely more environmentally friendly than the number of button cells you would need to use in the same time.

A smart implementation would allow the Tag to alert the user on their phone when the battery is about to lose its charge, with a few weeks advance notice.

 

[Wando64]

Ever heard of Tile???? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA, classic Apple.

Ever read Tile’s user reviews?

 

[Wando64]

Honestly, how many people loose their 💩 on a routine basis? Or they can’t keep track of their 💩? I just don’t get this item, unless you’re welding this to your 5 year old. I know most people are the walking unconscious, but I so don’t understand the utility of such a product.

Routine basis?
You only need to misplace your keys once when you really, really need them and then you’ll very quickly understand.

It has happened to me only the once and ever since I have been wishing for something like this.
I have tried some competitors but they are just not reliable enough.

 

[Kaptajn Haddock]

Worst kept secret?! Didn't they briefly talk about them on stage at some keynote a year or so ago?

 

[PickUrPoison]

Honestly, how many people loose their 💩 on a routine basis? Or they can’t keep track of their 💩? I just don’t get this item, unless you’re welding this to your 5 year old. I know most people are the walking unconscious, but I so don’t understand the utility of such a product.

Let me guess: you don’t have kids lol

Edit: And by that I mean, you’ve never had your four year old throw your keys in the garbage can and then spend five hours the next morning literally tearing the house apart because you know they have to be there somewhere.

 

[Karllake]

I'd rather have airpods tracking that was more functional. Half the time my phone can't find the airpods even if they're in bluetooth range.

I said on a post a while back that i hoped Apple implement the Air-tag directly to the motherboard so devices such as laptops can be tracked and thieves can't remove the tag.

With the rumour that the apple TV remote will be getting tracking, it likely air-pods would also get this feature.

One more thought is AARM, could it be possible that some element of the tracking could be SoC, Apple are waiting for the release of the first AARM laptops to announce this feature?

 

[Karllake]

It’s basically adding the “find my” functionality to your non-Apple devices. This includes your bag, your car, windows laptop (if in the same bag), your android phone, anything.

The value proposition, especially in countries with high Apple device usage, seems fairly obvious to me.

completely agree. I'd add car keys, wallet, and bike to that list. As you say, for high value items, particularly items likely to be stolen or lost they pay for themselves very quickly.