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Code in iOS 14.3 Adds Support for Third-Party Bluetooth Trackers With Find My Integration

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Code in iOS 14.3 suggests that Apple is rolling out the groundwork to add support for third-party item trackers to the Find My app, as well as additional support for AirTags.

FindMyTileFeature.jpg

Apple alongside iOS 14 launched a Find My Network Accessory Program that's designed to allow third-party products and accessories to integrate with the Find My app. With these feature, users can track third-party lost items directly on their Apple devices using the Find My app.

It is, in fact, similar to the AirTags that Apple is working on, but for third-party products. It's not yet clear what manufacturers plan to implement this functionality, but it seems like it could be added to a range of different Bluetooth devices.

There are several strings of code in iOS 14.3 that hint at how it will work, with the info discovered by MacRumors contributor Steve Moser.
  • You are connecting to an item that is paired to someone else's Apple ID.
  • This item has been moving with you for a while.
  • The owner can see its location.
  • This item was seen nearby.
  • The owner of this item will be able to see its location.
  • Replace battery on [item] soon.
  • This item is not supported. Please try again in a few minutes. If the problem persists, you may need to contact the manufacturer.
  • Change or charge the battery for this item and try again.
  • This device doesn't support Bluetooth. Bluetooth is required to connect your item.
  • Adding items is not supported on this device.
  • Contact the manufacturer of this device to learn if Find My is supported.
  • Make sure the item is nearby and ready to connect.
  • To add items to Find My, you'll need to first update your account security.
  • You have added the maximum number of items to your Apple ID. You can add another item once you remove one.
  • Turn on precise location to more accurately locate the distance between you and your friends, devices, and items.
  • Removing this item will allow it to be set up and used by another person and it will no longer be linked to your Apple ID.
  • You can learn more about lost items, or see if the owner has left a message, by connecting to it.
  • Select an emoji and name that best represents your item.
  • If this item is not familiar to you, learn how to disassemble it and stop sharing your location.
  • Keep track of your everyday items by adding Find My compatible accessories.
The beta also includes related icons (one of which may unveil the design of AirPods Studio) and some AirTags images that we've previously seen, all under the codename "Hawkeye."

ios-14-3-headphones-icon-luggage.jpg

It's not clear when we might see the first items that are able to integrate with the Find My app, but it appears that Apple is gearing up for support so we could perhaps be seeing some Find My-compatible Bluetooth items in the near future.

Article Link: Code in iOS 14.3 Adds Support for Third-Party Bluetooth Trackers With Find My Integration
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2020/11/12/ios-13-4-third-party-bluetooth-trackers/
  • Like
Reactions: sideshowuniqueuser
I just want to know what happened to the common knowledge that Apple always locks down a feature until they feel they have the bugs (sort of) worked out.
These companies would sing a different tune if Apple let them have day one access to a lot of these features - customer complaints for errors would sky rocket.
 
StaceRumors said:
It's pretty clear they needed to get this out first to avoid anti-cometiticive lawsuits before releasing AirTags. Once 14.3 is out, I bet we'll see AirTags finally launch.
Click to expand...
If anything for me it was Tile that was coming across anti competitive by crying about Apple potentially launching tags before they have even been released. Tile could always try making their own phone. Spotify is another one that just whinges. And state Apple has an unfair advantage then Spotify brags about how many users they have. These other companies do not appear to be that smart.
 
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  • Disagree
Reactions: prasand, 4491275, michaelnugent and 7 others
It’s kinda week here of Apple if as the article states this is Bluetooth based. Apple will have the upper hand always if they don’t allow access to the U1 chip with this interface.
 
SDJim said:
Apple dodging those anti-competitive lawsuits preemptively now 😇
Click to expand...
Tile can make as much noise as they want. I bought one of their trackers a couple of years back, and it was a horrible experience. You couldn’t pay me to use them ever again.

Is it anti-competitive when Apple has a legitimately superior product that threatens to marginalise your entire business model? Or is it just a sign that you are unfit to compete, like BlackBerry, Pebble, and numerous other competitors that Apple has laid waste to?
 
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Reactions: Runs For Fun, 4491275, bennyf and 5 others
CJ Dorschel said:
Apple needs to find their servers first...
Click to expand...

LMAO you mean to say Apple needs to find their ‌AirTag (false product) first lol.
StaceRumors said:
It's pretty clear they needed to get this out first to avoid anti-cometiticive lawsuits before releasing AirTags. Once 14.3 is out, I bet we'll see AirTags finally launch.
Click to expand...
LMAO ..

It seems that no matter how LONG and how many events that continue to happen with NOT even HINT of ‌AirTag as a product - even with this news clearly stating 3rd party products and showing 'Tile' to be used or can be integrated into FindMy service from Apple ... people will still cling to this on-going rumor of ‌AirTag's as a physical product.

This has to be by FAR THE longest rumored product by industry sources - which NEVER has panned out. What I find more interesting is this ongoing rumor still has yet to state what ‌AirTag as a product from Apple will offer over Tile and other smaller products that are under $6 CAN ... especially now with code supposedly stating Tile and other products could utilize Apple's FindMy service.

To me this should KILL this rumor dead in it's tracks. Honestly I wonder if the mods and article writers would do a fact check to see the initial source of ‌AirTag's as a product rumor began and how long has it gone on for, and all the internet sources, leakers etc that KEEP saying next event, next even, for sure NEXT EVENT and then last minute fail due to some (made up issue, etc). seriously.

When was the last time Apple has made a product it did not significantly profit from and that added NO value-add nor consumer experience advantage over the competition. Moreover which of those exactly lasted more than a year, moreover which are STILL in use?

PS: I'm not talking about consumable souvenirs either at their gift shop. Maybe the Newton ... but it took a few years become irrelevant and fell behind the competitions advances to be obsolete but it's introduction DID offer more than the original 3COM Pilot or the WinCE palmtops at that era.
 
  • Disagree
Reactions: insomniac86
MacRumors said:
You have added the maximum number of items to your Apple ID. You can add another item once you remove one.
Click to expand...
Y’all are arguing about Tile and Spotify, I’m just worried about this sentence. What is this “limit” that is being put on my account? I hope it’s absurdly high like 50 or something and not 5 trackers. That could potentially be problematic but obviously it’s not out yet so I’m optimistic
 
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Reactions: 4491275
Mdracer said:
Yes it was. To think at the moment apple has Qi, MagSafe and the Apple Watch wireless charging along with USB Type C and Lightning charging cables. 5 different charging all needed. It's a bit much and messy at the moment.
Click to expand...
You DO know that what you listed isn’t “per device” right? iPhone 12 can use either Qi, MagSafe or Lightning for example. And Qi and MagSafe are also compatible. What’s the problem to have a choice more than what iPhone 11 have? Doesn’t all Android fans love to proclaim more options is better?
 
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Reactions: LeadingHeat
What I like is the thought behind a message of „This item has been moving with you for a while.“
that was put into privacy protection.
 
  • Like
Reactions: coredev
DeepIn2U said:
LMAO you mean to say Apple needs to find their ‌AirTag (false product) first lol.

LMAO ..

It seems that no matter how LONG and how many events that continue to happen with NOT even HINT of ‌AirTag as a product - even with this news clearly stating 3rd party products and showing 'Tile' to be used or can be integrated into FindMy service from Apple ... people will still cling to this on-going rumor of ‌AirTag's as a physical product.

This has to be by FAR THE longest rumored product by industry sources - which NEVER has panned out. What I find more interesting is this ongoing rumor still has yet to state what ‌AirTag as a product from Apple will offer over Tile and other smaller products that are under $6 CAN ... especially now with code supposedly stating Tile and other products could utilize Apple's FindMy service.

To me this should KILL this rumor dead in it's tracks. Honestly I wonder if the mods and article writers would do a fact check to see the initial source of ‌AirTag's as a product rumor began and how long has it gone on for, and all the internet sources, leakers etc that KEEP saying next event, next even, for sure NEXT EVENT and then last minute fail due to some (made up issue, etc). seriously.

When was the last time Apple has made a product it did not significantly profit from and that added NO value-add nor consumer experience advantage over the competition. Moreover which of those exactly lasted more than a year, moreover which are STILL in use?

PS: I'm not talking about consumable souvenirs either at their gift shop. Maybe the Newton ... but it took a few years become irrelevant and fell behind the competitions advances to be obsolete but it's introduction DID offer more than the original 3COM Pilot or the WinCE palmtops at that era.
Click to expand...
You a incorrect.

Proof of AirTags being a physical product is all through iOS 13 and 14 resource files.
There was even an OFFICAL video on Apples YouTube that showed Airtags in the menu.
 
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Reactions: LeadingHeat and 4491275
I'm intrigued by these two, and wonder if its a way to detect and defeat trackers planted on you by 3rd parties:

  • This item has been moving with you for a while.
  • If this item is not familiar to you, learn how to disassemble it and stop sharing your location.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DeepIn2U, LeadingHeat and 4491275
Abazigal said:
Tile can make as much noise as they want. I bought one of their trackers a couple of years back, and it was a horrible experience. You couldn’t pay me to use them ever again.

Is it anti-competitive when Apple has a legitimately superior product that threatens to marginalise your entire business model? Or is it just a sign that you are unfit to compete, like BlackBerry, Pebble, and numerous other competitors that Apple has laid waste to?
Click to expand...

I came here to disagree; I find Tile an epic experience. I bought one a few years ago and the battery died prematurely. Emailed customer service and I got it replaced ASAP. I wish it did track via GPS too, but bye bye $25 price tag.
 
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