Apple's Rumored Tile Competitor May Offer ARKit and Leashing Capabilities

[DanBig]

Already passed that milestone. In fact, both parents had Alzheimer's in their late seventies. So I know what age-related mental decline brings. I also know that consumer tech toys can't fill their needs. People need human intervention even to live independently. No amount of security cams, FaceTime, auto pill dispensers, iWatches, Tile beacons, etcetera are going to compensate for a failing mind.

Very True! But If I had a Tile or other tag system (Apple?) I would have been able to sleep in my own bed knowing I would have gotten woken if my parent had ventured out as well as been about to locate them if they had left the house.

 

[DanBig]

Why would you describe this as stalking? Drama much?

What would you call it?

When my mother got sick at the beginning, I was following her at a distance. Just like how you would handle a kid who is venturing out on their own for the first few times.

In my case it was to meter off when I needed to be more aggressive in protecting her. Unlike a kid that learns, Alzheimer's steals ones ability to make rational choices.

 

[Gutwrench]

What would you call it?

When my mother got sick at the beginning, I was following her at a distance. Just like how you would handle a kid who is venturing out on their own for the first few times.

In my case it was to meter off when I needed to be more aggressive in protecting her. Unlike a kid that learns, Alzheimer's steals ones ability to make rational choices.

I’m sorry for your situation but it’s not stalking so the drama gets you no points. And unfortunately I’m aware of Alzheimer’s and even children.

 

[Defthand]

Very True! But If I had a Tile or other tag system (Apple?) I would have been able to sleep in my own bed knowing I would have gotten woken if my parent had ventured out as well as been about to locate them if they had left the house.

My father was prescribed a GPS medical bracelet while his dementia was in the early stages. He was a wanderer. He'd hitchhike to town after we took his driving privledges away. He'd instinctively remove the bracelet beforehand because it was suspicious. Alzheimer's sufferers are paranoid of everything and still have the ability to disable things. He disconnected the security cams and even the TV.

Even if an aging person doesn't have dementia, they typically don't want to be bothered with gadgets. Today's digital youth think they'll be playing video games and surfing the Internet when they reach old age. I'll wager that they will have neither the ability nor the interest.

 

[bfChris2]

And what's wrong with their core products?

ROFL. How about the MacPro cylinder, which randomly suspends all USB activity? A reboot gets USB working again but makes this a pain when it's your work computer.

 

[DanBig]

My father was prescribed a GPS medical bracelet while his dementia was in the early stages. He was a wanderer. He'd hitchhike to town after we took his driving privledges away. He'd instinctively remove the bracelet beforehand because it was suspicious. Alzheimer's sufferers are paranoid of everything and still have the ability to disable things. He disconnected the security cams and even the TV.

Even if an aging person doesn't have dementia, they typically don't want to be bothered with gadgets. Today's digital youth think they'll be playing video games and surfing the Internet when they reach old age. I'll wager that they will have neither the ability nor the interest.

My mother was not tech savvy so I'm sure I could have figured out something that wouldn't have been disabled or tossed aside. At least its worth a try! She's passed now so it won't help her. But, my two dogs will get them ;-}

 

[mpainesyd]

As this is a personal safety issue don't expect Apple to promote this device for tracking people (eg toddlers & dementia patients) or pets but it seems to me it will be a neat way to have geofencing alerts for carers.
In any case, as I have emphasised in my research on reversing cameras for cars (circa 2001 - now law in the USA) technology can assist but is no substitute for adult supervision of vulnerable people.
http://users.tpg.com.au/users/mpaine/driveways.html