CES 2022: Targus Debuts Backpack That Supports 'Find My' App Without an AirTag

[MacRumors]

Accessory maker Targus today announced that its Cypress Hero EcoSmart Backpack with built-in support for Apple's Find My app will be available in spring or summer 2022 for a suggested price of $149.99 in the United States.

The backpack is equipped with a small tracking module that allows the backpack's location to be tracked in the Find My app on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch without needing to use an AirTag. Based on an image shown on the CES website, it appears the backpack will support Precision Finding, which allows users with an iPhone 11 or newer to see the exact distance and direction to the backpack with audible, visual, and haptic feedback. Apple opened up the U1 chip to third-party accessories last year.

Targus said the built-in tracker is "highly integrated" into the backpack, whereas an AirTag could be taken out of the backpack and tossed away if stolen. The backpack comes with a replaceable battery for the tracker that is rechargeable via USB.

If the backpack is separated from its owner but outside of Bluetooth range, there is still a chance that the crowdsourced Find My network can help track it down. If another iPhone user happens to walk by the backpack, for example, their iPhone can detect Bluetooth signals from the backpack and relay the location back to its owner anonymously.

Targus said the backpack has a padded compartment that can hold up to a 16-inch MacBook Pro, and several other compartments and pockets for additional devices and personal items. The backpack is made with some recycled materials.

This story was originally published in November and has been updated with new information.

Article Link: CES 2022: Targus Debuts Backpack That Supports 'Find My' App Without an AirTag

 

[thejadedmonkey]

It's a good buy at $65. But I'd expect it to be more like $165 though, which is just too high IMO.

 

[contacos]

Totally forgot Apple opened the find my platform. Has anyone actually been using it yet besides those guys? I feel like no one bothers with mag safe accessories either. Which is weird

 

[simbo123]

What would be good to know is if the FindMy features in this backpack and items like the bicycles with FindMy support are exempt from having to have the anti stalking features like AirTag where it makes a sound after 8 hours away from its owner if moved.
In the bike and the rucksacks case, clearly the use case is anti-theft rather than loosing it. But it's not clear if these items would self-alert to the thief.

 

[chaospet]

Sounds cool. But given the new update to the FindMy app in iOS 15.2, it sounds like anyone who was close to you could just disable the tracking feature in your backpack, rendering it utterly useless. No thanks.

"With the iOS 15.2 beta that was released today, Apple has added enhancements to the Find Myapp. There's a new feature that's designed to let users scan for AirTags or Find My-enabled items that might be tracking them.​

​

When opening the ‌Find My‌ app after installing the beta and going to the "Items" tab, there's an option for "Items That Can Track Me." Tapping on this allows users to search for nearby items that might be used to track their location.​

​

When activated, the Unknown Items feature scans for anything that's nearby, and will let users know either way if there's a device that belongs to someone else nearby. If an item is detected, Apple offers instructions on how to disable the device so that it can no longer be used for tracking purposes."​

 

[msackey]

I don’t know. I find this to be a stupid product. A backpack that at some point you need to change out the battery for the tracker? Just create a sewed in pocket in which an Air Tag can be inserted and be done. ?

 

[augustrushrox]

I would have thought way more businesses would have taken advantage of this goldmine of an opportunity that is an open Find My Network and U1 chip.

Yet here we are like over half a year later and I can probably count on one hand all the third party accessories with this built in. I’d have thought there’d be tons of wallets, luggage,
backpacks, things like KeySmart, expensive clothing like winter jackets, or often forgot about umbrellas with this built in. Yet, no.

What gives?

 

[steevn]

Or you could buy any $130 or less backpack and an AirTag and still probably be cheaper than this will once it’s released, and end up with a much better backpack that won’t ever go out of date….

 

[TheKDub]

Sounds cool. But given the new update to the FindMy app in iOS 15.2, it sounds like anyone who was close to you could just disable the tracking feature in your backpack, rendering it utterly useless. No thanks.

"With the iOS 15.2 beta that was released today, Apple has added enhancements to the Find Myapp. There's a new feature that's designed to let users scan for AirTags or Find My-enabled items that might be tracking them.​

​

When opening the ‌Find My‌ app after installing the beta and going to the "Items" tab, there's an option for "Items That Can Track Me." Tapping on this allows users to search for nearby items that might be used to track their location.​

​

When activated, the Unknown Items feature scans for anything that's nearby, and will let users know either way if there's a device that belongs to someone else nearby. If an item is detected, Apple offers instructions on how to disable the device so that it can no longer be used for tracking purposes."​

Yeah - Apple is specifically making FindMy something just for lost or forgotten items, and really moving it away from anti-theft. I am curious as to the overlap between the two (how often do you lose something due to theft, vs. just being lost)?

 

[dmylrea]

Does anything that supports "Find My" also support "Left Behind"? I find that "Left Behind" works, except that I never hear the alert (if you consider a message ding an alert) and wish Apple would allow different "alarm sounds" for the Left Behind feature or constant haptic buzzing from the Apple Watch to alert you that you left something behind -- something that actually gets your attention.

 

[DFZD]

Yes it would but good luck finding your precise bag in a public location. That design is way too common in most countries.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Totally forgot Apple opened the find my platform. Has anyone actually been using it yet besides those guys? I feel like no one bothers with mag safe accessories either. Which is weird

I can understand the lack of MagSafe accessories, because Apple is probably charging an arm and a leg for the MagSafe name. But what I haven't seen, which is kind of upsetting, is a lack of magnetic wireless chargers. In my case, because I'd consider it a bonus that it doesn't charge as fast, and produces less heat than the official charger.

 

[lw9090]

Buy a $25 tag and hide it in any backpack.

 

[azmscle]

Sounds cool. But given the new update to the FindMy app in iOS 15.2, it sounds like anyone who was close to you could just disable the tracking feature in your backpack, rendering it utterly useless. No thanks.

"With the iOS 15.2 beta that was released today, Apple has added enhancements to the Find Myapp. There's a new feature that's designed to let users scan for AirTags or Find My-enabled items that might be tracking them.​

​

When opening the ‌Find My‌ app after installing the beta and going to the "Items" tab, there's an option for "Items That Can Track Me." Tapping on this allows users to search for nearby items that might be used to track their location.​

​

When activated, the Unknown Items feature scans for anything that's nearby, and will let users know either way if there's a device that belongs to someone else nearby. If an item is detected, Apple offers instructions on how to disable the device so that it can no longer be used for tracking purposes."​

Assuming apple has probably already thought of this and a device that has been labeled as lost cannot have tracking disabled. I’ll test it out today on my AirTag

 

[Macintosh TV]

Nice feature to have but wouldn't buy a backpack just for it. Love my Brenthaven bag and it's simple enough to toss an AirTag in any pouch in the thing and be set to go.

 

[sirozha]

Totally forgot Apple opened the find my platform. Has anyone actually been using it yet besides those guys? I feel like no one bothers with mag safe accessories either. Which is weird

Chipolo One. I’ve been using their trackers for months.

 

[sirozha]

So, basically they retrofit each backpack with an AirTag. Real innovation.

 

[svish]

Seems good. Can carry the new Macbook Pro, has support to find it via Find My without Airtags! But have to see the price first. Might be priced higher just because it can be tracked.

 

[fbr$]

To find my Dell notebook with Ryzen 7 and RTX 3060 I just need a infrared camera (thermal imaging camera). When I see a super ultra hot red, that's it.

 

[_Spinn_]

Love seeing more things supporting the Find My network.

 

[Benjamin Nabulsi]

It will be interesting in a year or so to see where products are being trashed or getting recycled.

 

[noone]

I don’t know. I find this to be a stupid product. A backpack that at some point you need to change out the battery for the tracker? Just create a sewed in pocket in which an Air Tag can be inserted and be done. ?

Isn't that basically doing the same thing though? But now you have the added complexity of the manufacturer to sew in a special pocket for an AirTag that you will have to supply yourself and it will still need to have its battery changed eventually.

 

[ralpa]

Can’t make anything uglier

 

[hellosil]

I don’t know. I find this to be a stupid product. A backpack that at some point you need to change out the battery for the tracker? Just create a sewed in pocket in which an Air Tag can be inserted and be done. ?

I 100% agree, its a gimmick to get attention to the brand (or person wearing it).

Also try lending this tracking backpack to other people.
It will start sending messages to the borrowers phone 'you are being followed by an unknown device'.
An AirTag would be easy to take out with a sewed in pocket before you lend your backpack to someone.

 

[Graphikos]

I've had the same Targus backpack for like 20 years, a good brand. I do like the idea of this so I'll take a closer look when it launches.

I wonder what happens when you put this on a plane or a longer bus trip. Do all the people traveling with you start getting alerts that they are being followed? Probably only if your phone isn't tracking it also.