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

[compwiz1202]

Just to say I'd like to see a through hole in something like this.
Having a simple hole (perhaps with some other fixing method) means you can always loop through a keyring loop, a loop of fabric or wire, or anything your like.
So by all means stick in magnets or sticky pads or anything else, but please have a simple hole.

Definitely do not want adhesive. I want a hook or ring that won't detach beyond a thief removing it.

 

[DailySlow]

One can assume these will be better than the competition such as Tile, TrackR, and all the others since apple can create more at a lower cost at scale with os level integration. While the os integration and wideband tracking I expect to be great, it will come down to the hardware. I certainly don't want a relatively big blog attached to all my small devices. Now if it would somehow able to be an actual thick sticker that's could be great, but hard to imagine battery tech that thin. Tile has a product called a sticker but its not a sticker and while its of course fine for large items, large items typically aren't things you would need as much help finding. Things such as remotes, the "sticker" is far too large. But hopefully the tech will be built into most all future devices including remotes and such, and these will be for larger/older devices.

I have about half dozen tiles deployed around. Apple's version looks smaller - good in my opinion. Also Tiles don't seem to have any battery level indicator that shows up in my phone - you just have to assume and install a new battery every year or so. So, let's all hope that each tag will have some way to indicate charge level and an alert when it's like, down to 10% - now we're talkin'.

 

[Ortiz83]

I just need a tracker on my Apple TV remote and the actual AirPod Pro case, not just the AirPods.

 

[pelegri]

It’s not life or death

Attach one to the jacket or the like of your elderly relative with cognitive issues and it may be a matter of life or death.

 

[compwiz1202]

Can't the thieves pop them off?

If they are smart enough to look for it. If the owner hides it well enough, it will get suspicious if the thief keeps looking, or they will never find it an eventually be tracked. And most thieves just want to hit and steal. They don't want to take the time to defeat a lock or look for trackers

 

[DailySlow]

Interesting, perhaps that is why AirTags have the odd shape, in order to share the charger?

I know a few men that keep a Tile in their wallets and the AirTag shape just makes that look painful.

Tile makes one version that is thick as two credit cards and the same approx size -

 

[pelegri]

should utilise Bluetooth SIG Mesh so that they can potentially be tracked long-distance too.

Good question... This is not my area of expertise but...

* The original "ping" does not have the location of the AirTag, so the location has to be inferred from the device that sends the AirTag ping to the Apple service. So using the mesh would mean that the AirTag may be in ... say the garage, while the iPhone is in my bedroom.

* I don't know if the connection through the mesh would provide the guarantees of privacy and security needed.

* I'd assume the AirTag will only have the UWB radio. Adding Bluetooth should be more expensive in battery and manufacturing.

Good question!

 

[HudsonSteele]

I bet the reason they are taking so long is they are figuring out how to introduce them so they don't get sued by companies like tile.

 

[4jasontv]

I imagine to avoid an anti competitive position / perception. I’m somewhat in favour that as a user I should have this option and be able to accept or reject it on an app by app basis.

I don't really buy the argument that other companies have a right to API's. If Tile wants access they need to make a business case to Apple that it's advantageous to Apple to provide it. Threats of anti-competitive behavior isn't a valid argument. Now, if Apple does make the API available and then rescinds it so they can launch their own tag device than maybe they could make that argument. But never having offering it and then launching a competing product is totally within Apple's right. Developers don't have a right to access every hardware feature, even if Apple is using it.

 

[icanhazmac]

If they are not a bot, then it’s somone who just comments for the ‘likes’ and to increase their post count to increase their status (I.e., macrumors newbie v macrumors demi-goddess). Most of their posts are nonsense. All we can do is report the account.

We can also downvote all the nonsense posts.

 

[Karllake]

I don't really buy the argument that other companies have a right to API's. If Tile wants access they need to make a business case to Apple that it's advantageous to Apple to provide it. Threats of anti-competitive behavior isn't a valid argument. Now, if Apple does make the API available and then rescinds it so they can launch their own tag device than maybe they could make that argument. But never having offering it and then launching a competing product is totally within Apple's right. Developers don't have a right to access every hardware feature, even if Apple is using it.

i know there are many threads on this subject, I think everyone sees this slightly different, I like others feel when I buy the hardware then developers should have full access to all the hardware functions, if Apple blocks for everyone it’s one thing, but when only Apple can use my iPhone hardware to sell me other services I think it fits into anticompetitive behaviour. I’m not trying to start a debate just clarifying my position. I know others see it different.

 

[4jasontv]

i know there are many threads on this subject, I think everyone sees this slightly different, I like others feel when I buy the hardware then developers should have full access to all the hardware functions, if Apple blocks for everyone it’s one thing, but when only Apple can use my iPhone hardware to sell me other services I think it fits into anticompetitive behaviour. I’m not trying to start a debate just clarifying my position. I know others see it different.

And I like your thinking and approach to expressing it. I disagree and totally respect your perspective. I see it from a business ownership standpoint. If I owned Apple I would want full control and would find it disrespectful if someone I provided a market for tried to tell me how to run my business.

 

[Karllake]

Attach one to the jacket or the like of your elderly relative with cognitive issues and it may be a matter of life or death.

add your child’s backpack or dogs collar also

 

[Karllake]

And I like your thinking and approach to expressing it. I disagree and totally respect your perspective. I see it from a business ownership standpoint. If I owned Apple I would want full control and would find it disrespectful if someone I provided a market for tried to tell me how to run my business.

It’s refreshing to respectfully disagree

 

[Ankaa]

I've been using Tile for some time and it's pretty convenient because I'm a forgetful person. I dont know how AirTag works yet... but if its main features are the same as Tile, I'm worried that Tile will make a move and sue.

I don't think Tile has any grounds to sue. Just because Apple might/would use a similar crowd-sourcing approach?

What Tile (and many of its proponents) doesn't realize, they weren't the first to implement something like that. They're just the most known, currently. Do they hold patents? Otherwise, they can moan and cry all they want...

(For comparison: TrackR was released in 2010, Tile - the company- didn't even exist until 2012...)

Edit: Interesting...

Tile (company) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

On November 7, 2013, Tile's founder Nick Evans and his company Reveal Labs were sued for allegedly stealing the Tile idea while Evans was employed by Jonathan C. Coon. The case was eventually settled out of court.[25]

Funny, how that works...

 

[Ankaa]

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.

This!

I LOVED the concept of TrackR when they first came out. I bought multiple. It just didn't live up to expectations.

I never bought Tile because all reviews are just mediocre, on average.

Why are these things so special, I don't get the use cases for this. If you can't find something to the point you need to track it on your phone is it really that important to you.

Hey, GREAT job at gaslighting! 👍

ADHD exists. Dissociation disorders exist. TBI exists. Illnesses impacting memory exist. (heck, toddlers and pets hiding keys and other things, exist).

Unless you experience it yourself or within a loved one, I suggest you cut down on the judgment a little.

 

[bushman4]

Don’t expect to much at the announcement and you won’t be disappointed. Remember this has been rumored for years

 

[jive turkey]

I'll be honest, the way a lot of you are describing how this will work sounds like a stalker's dream to me. See some girl get out of her car at Target, put a hidden tracker in her tire well, and follow her everywhere. I can't see any way that Apple of all companies will allow that to happen. How they will prevent this I don't know. They could notify you if a tracker other than your own is nearby, but that would very annoying.

I'm interested to see how this will work.

 

[libertysat]

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.

In your luggage in case it takes a detour
I have a Tile in my trucks in case they are stolen
Young rogue kids like I was, sneak out of house and disappear - my mailman found me a couple times back in the 50s, blocks away

On key ring, especially if you have a mentally unstable person in household
My friend with dementia took wife's car and was found 150 miles from home when he had to stop at a BP checkpoint and an agent had the Tile app on his phone which alerted the Tile system where he was, Sheriff finally found & stopped him

 

[ZzapDK]

It's coming

mayhaps, that's what I have been hoping ever since, but still no show

 

[Piggie]

I'll be honest, the way a lot of you are describing how this will work sounds like a stalker's dream to me. See some girl get out of her car at Target, put a hidden tracker in her tire well, and follow her everywhere. I can't see any way that Apple of all companies will allow that to happen. How they will prevent this I don't know. They could notify you if a tracker other than your own is nearby, but that would very annoying.

I'm interested to see how this will work.

You reminded me of seeing that exact scenario in so many films, where they put a tracker under the car, then you see the red dot moving along the map on their screen.
As you say, an excellent way of finding our where someone is going or where they live.
Even slip on in a ladies handbag of coat pocket.

As you suggested, the app could show ALL Apple trackers in a certain radius around you, so you would know if you had someone else's tracker near you and it stayed near you as you moved.
The MUST have considered this scenario, so I'd hope you are right there.

Also, this will very much depend on range.
I don't know the typical range of other trackers, but say 50ft would be very different than 500ft when it would come to following someone. The less the range the safer YOU would be from others, but of course the less use it is as a tracker for the owner if it's only got a short range.

Certainly a safety/security issue that will be interesting to see how Apple have handled this.
I'm sure the last thing that want is "Woman raped after man followed her home thanks to his Apple tracker he placed on her"
Interesting how this is made safe.

 

[Piggie]

Ok, well as I knew nothing, I just went to look on Amazon and learned something

Tile Pro
Approx 120m (almost 400 ft)
Battery life: replaceable CR2032 battery is guaranteed for one year from activation. You can easily replace it yourself
£25 UK Pounds (which includes sales tax)

Will admit I'm pretty impressed as I'd never even looked at one before.
The 1 year battery life and then pop in a new one especially.

Be interesting to see what Apple's models offer in competition to this.

 

[jabintendo]

I have had my tile for a couple of years as it gives you that peace of mind if you can't find your keys easily.
I would gladly switch to air tags just because of the larger apple user base to help find your items, but i haven't had any issues with my tile except from remembering to leave the app running in the background so you can get location update. I am assuming air tags won't have this issue as it is made from apple.

Hopefully they have a replica for the tile with goes on your key chain as the renderings just seem to be of the the sticker.

 

[deevey]

Because Apple took away functionality that they had provided previously, and now they are using that functionality privately.

I'd imagine the Covid App is based on the same software they intended for this.
[automerge]1599276558[/automerge]

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.

Ever had a bike or car stolen ?

 

[deevey]

Certainly a safety/security issue that will be interesting to see how Apple have handled this.
I'm sure the last thing that want is "Woman raped after man followed her home thanks to his Apple tracker he placed on her"
Interesting how this is made safe.

That aspect of things will certainly be interesting