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Chipolo Launches Colorful New 'Pop' Trackers Compatible With Find My

Bought the 4-pack black ones a while back. They did work great at first, very load beeper too compared the original Apple AirTags. But... when I had to replace the battery for the first time, issues started. Within a week or two, after the battery was replaced, I started to get low battery warnings. I thought that had placed a bad battery, so replaced it again with a new battery. Again... same low battery warnings within a week. Cleaned the battery, contacts... did help for a short while, but it battery warnings again after a few weeks.
And not one just one of the four Chipolo's... all of them. It seemed that it also was related to the latest firmware update, because the ones that I updated first also got the low battery warnings quicker. It almost seemed to drain the battery more. Sometimes when I got the warning, the battery gauge did show around 10% and a minute later 100% again.

Also, I have to say that the outer contact in the battery holder is just too small. There's very few contact surface compared to other devices that use the same type of lithium batteries. In one of my Chipolo's that contact almost broke off.
After almost two years my wife and I got sick and tired of those low battery messages, so I bought a 4-pack Apple AirTags on sale. These work much better, albeit that the beeper isn't as loud. The U1-chip locator function does compensate for that though.
 
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To me, the #1 feature of the AirTag is it pointing me in the direction of the thing I am looking for in the find my app, not knowing the square block that the thing was at the last time I had it. I almost always know the rough vicinity of the thing I am looking for, it's the last 30 feet (like in my house) that can be tricky. Without that, these other trackers are basically useless to me personally.
 
JohannesO said:

MagSafe​


Chipolo IP55 vs Apple IP67

IP RatingProtection Against SolidsProtection Against LiquidsWater Immersion Capability
IP55Moderate protection against dust; Not completely dust-tightProtection against low-pressure water jets from any directionNot suitable for immersion in water
IP67Complete protection against dust; Dust-tightComplete protection against immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutesSuitable for temporary immersion in water

Airtags seem to be not so waterproof, especially after a battery change. The dog wore one for a week of vacation and the tag lost function due to 2 minutes of seawater per day.

It could be completely sealed and charged like the Apple Watch? Why not?
Click to expand...
A quick fix to seal the battery cover is to use the glue for fitting glass or window frame.
 
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yeahnope said:
To me, the #1 feature of the AirTag is it pointing me in the direction of the thing I am looking for in the find my app, not knowing the square block that the thing was at the last time I had it. I almost always know the rough vicinity of the thing I am looking for, it's the last 30 feet (like in my house) that can be tricky. Without that, these other trackers are basically useless to me personally.
Click to expand...
I have an AirTag and a compatible one. It seems to me that the compatible one updates ts location much less frequent than the AirTag, dunno if it is a prilvige that Apple gives to their own product.

For the compatible ones, beeping in lieu of UWB is used for short range locating the tag. It seems to me that beeping drains much more power than UWB, hence the compatible one may require battery replacement much more frequently.
 
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Apple AirTag is the only widely available option with this technology on the Find My network. Apple AirTag uses the U1 chip, which is a proprietary Apple chip. Apple does not sell U1 chips as separate components or offer them on the open market to other manufacturers.

Apple AirTag has a monopoly in the Ultra-Wideband (UWB) locator market in Apple's ecosystem and Find My network.
The ability of competitors to create UWB locators fully compatible with the Apple ecosystem is virtually impossible.
 
swrobel said:
In that case, is there a single non-Apple tag with UWB for precision finding?
Click to expand...
No, they literally ALL cheap out. Either they don’t see it worth the money they’d have to charge for it or they just can’t be bothered. Their devices are going to sell with or without UWB so why add it if the competition isn’t adding it?

Nearby Interaction with UWB - Apple Developer

The Nearby Interaction framework makes it easy to integrate Ultra Wideband (UWB) in your apps and hardware accessories.
developer.apple.com developer.apple.com

Apple’s been talking about this for years.
developer.apple.com

Explore Nearby Interaction with third-party accessories - WWDC21 - Videos - Apple Developer

Discover how your app can interact with Ultra Wideband (UWB) third-party accessories when running on a U1-equipped device. We'll show you...
developer.apple.com developer.apple.com
and will likely have more to say at this year’s WWDC. That doesn’t stop third party companies from being cheap, though. ;)
 
rybak17 said:
Apple AirTag is the only widely available option with this technology on the Find My network. Apple AirTag uses the U1 chip, which is a proprietary Apple chip. Apple does not sell U1 chips as separate components or offer them on the open market to other manufacturers.

Apple AirTag has a monopoly in the Ultra-Wideband (UWB) locator market in Apple's ecosystem and Find My network.
The ability of competitors to create UWB locators fully compatible with the Apple ecosystem is virtually impossible.
Click to expand...
Not virtually impossible, it is most certainly absolutely impossible… if they don’t follow the guidelines Apple’s been laying down since 2021.
 
timeislove said:
I have an AirTag and a compatible one. It seems to me that the compatible one updates ts location much less frequent than the AirTag, dunno if it is a prilvige that Apple gives to their own product.
Click to expand...
Apple’s custom designed solution is likely as close to the most efficient you can produce given the technologies they’re using with the battery they use. The third parties are likely using commodity parts and just adjusting their configuration (within specs) to meet their battery efficiency goals. And, after doing some searching, it looks like most UWB chipsets (that aren’t Apple’s) are going into industrial and automotive applications for now. The industry IS expected to grow in 2025 more than 2024, so there could be more options available late this year or in the coming year.
 
BruiserB said:
Same! LOL If I had a tag on my glasses, I'd have to navigate the Find My app without them to find them!
Click to expand...
I usually take off my glasses to use apps anyway.
Which may contribute to why I misplace them so often.
 
Unregistered 4U said:
Not virtually impossible, it is most certainly absolutely impossible… if they don’t follow the guidelines Apple’s been laying down since 2021.
Click to expand...
It's all about the money.

Manufacturers must pay Apple royalties for each MFi-certified product. According to some sources, Apple charged a commission of about 10% of the sales price of accessories in the early years of the program (since 2005), but current rates may vary. Other costs are also involved.

That is, I can take a chance and at most produce a more expensive version of the Airtag from Apple. Just who will buy it?
 
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