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Hands-On With Apple's New AirTags
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got my 4-pack. Opened first and it prompted my iPhone12 for an update. did that and it doesn't auto-find my first airtag. popped out the battery and re-assembled...didn't find it. Opened the other 3, still nothing. But, it was able to connect using the Find My app. Nothing major...
I thought it was supposed to emit a sound if it is not paired with your phone for 3 days and it senses movement. This is to alert Android users who may have one planted on them. Although it would make more sense if it only did this if its position has changed dramatically but it would require seeing an iPhone somewhere to update its position not just accelerometer data. Also it is supposed to alert an iPhone user if it is seen for some length of time at a location that they frequent, which for a valet, they definitely frequent their parking lot.
As a tile user for years. Tile has more features. I may get one later down the road but found no reason to upgrade. Only thing airtag has over tile is the find my network.
airtag range is 50ft from the few test I seen so far. Tile is 200-400ft. Tile can ring the phone by pressing button on the tile. Tile is louder and different sound alert.
I would have to go for something like this. The Apple AirTag accessories are ridiculously expensive in Australia. I can’t imagine hanging something that cost over AUD$80 off my backpack or keys*From $0.50 for AirTag key fobs on AliExpress.
airtag silicone - Buy airtag silicone with free shipping on AliExpress
Quality airtag silicone with free worldwide shipping on AliExpresswww.aliexpress.com
(AirTag from a four pack and the cheapest Apple loop comes to AUD$82.25🤔)
Just meh. I can only get a range of about 20-25 feet. By that time, I can find the missing item myself. The sound is pretty faint... much quieter than the ping sound you get from your phone. I bought four... put one on my keys and one in my messenger bag, but I think I'll just give the other two away. I had an awful time trying to get the phone to recognize my first tag. I literally had to turn the phone off and on again, and then I had to try twice to get the network to recognize it... and this is AT&T, not Mom&Pop's Network Shop. Maybe that would have been better?
After years of waiting for the AirTags to debut, launch day is finally upon us and AirTags are now in the hands of customers. We got our AirTags in the mail today and thought we'd share a hands-on look for those who are still waiting for their orders or debating whether AirTags might be useful.
As you probably know by now, AirTags are small, coin-shaped Bluetooth item trackers similar to Tile that you're meant to put on items that might be misplaced like keys, wallets, jackets, and more. They integrate into the Find My app under the Items tab and can be conveniently tracked right alongside your Apple devices.
AirTags come in typical Apple easy-open packaging, and once unboxed, pairing an AirTag is a matter of pulling off the plastic packaging and holding it close to the iPhone. The iPhone immediately recognizes the AirTag and you can go through the setup process, naming the AirTag and registering it to your Apple ID.
Once registered, the AirTag shows right up in the Find My app, relaying its location back to you. AirTags have many of the same Find My features as Apple devices, so you can put them into Lost Mode and play a sound to locate them.
If you have an iPhone 11 or iPhone 12 model there's a useful Precision Finding feature for locating an item that's lost nearby like keys that have fallen into a couch cushion, and if an AirTag is lost far away, it can take advantage of the Find My network, using billions of active Apple devices to help you track down its location.
Design wise, the AirTag has a white plastic front and a stainless steel backing, which will undoubtedly scratch easily depending on where the AirTag placed. The front side can be engraved by Apple with letters and emoji, but it's worth noting that there is no hole for attaching a keyring or any other built-in attachment method.
Apple instead expects people to buy add-on accessories for each AirTag, and Apple's own accessory options are priced starting at $29. Luckily third-party companies like Belkin are selling cheaper holders, but it's still an added expense.
AirTags are equipped with CR2032 batteries that will last for a good year before needing to be replaced, and you can push and twist the front of the AirTag off to get to the battery compartment. This is also the method used for resetting an AirTag or finding the serial number.
You can get AirTags from Apple for $29 or $99 for a pack of four, and they're also available from third-party retailers. Engraved AirTags only come from Apple, though there are some month-long waits right now.
Did you get an AirTag? Let us know what you think of Apple's tracker in the comments below.
Article Link: Hands-On With Apple's New AirTags
poor dan.
Others with trouble opening that Belkin accessory:
forums.macrumors.com
apparently some tips there on how to open it
Others with trouble opening that Belkin accessory:
Unable to reopen Belkin AirTag secure holder
I received my Belkin AirTag secure holder today, and couldn't wait to try it without putting an AirTag. Now it is tightly locked and I found no way to reopen it.... :(:(:( I am not sure about reopening with an AirTag inside tho. Yeah, very very "secure" Belkin. --- Update: finally got it...
forums.macrumors.com
apparently some tips there on how to open it
my airtag came in today but sadly my red leather key ring will not be here untill a week from now
Why? Are you purposefully having someone hide items and chasing them through the house? Have you already lost a significant amount of items? If not, there is literally no reason to be “loving them” at this point….you’ve literally not used them for their intended purpose.
Almost ordered the set of four but while engraving, I could not think of anything I would want to tag. I tend to misplace small thinks like my Starbucks gift card, or my glasses, or maybe the TV remote. Airbags are too big for that. I never lose luggage, or my back pack, who loses luggage? So ordered one for the car key, keeping my mind open. Someone here ordered eight! What are you tagging?
People lose luggage all the time at Airports.
Got a four-pack for my two cats as well as replacing my Tiles on my keys and luggage.
Found this elsewhere on the net.
Experience AirTags in AR.
You can even play a sound on your virtual AirTags.
It reminded me of when Samsung wanted people to get the Samsung experience with a webapp.
Experience AirTags in AR.
You can even play a sound on your virtual AirTags.
It reminded me of when Samsung wanted people to get the Samsung experience with a webapp.
I picked up my four AirTags and two Belkin AirTag holders from the Apple Store this morning.
The AirTags work as expected.
The $12.95 Belkin holders were a nice surprise. I wasn't sure what to expect judging by the photo on Apple's site, concerned they might be some kind soft silicone rubber. And thus not stand up well to normal use - especially where the key ring passes through the holder's loop. They are in fact textured hard plastic and well-designed - and clever how the two halves come together around the Airtag. They look nice and feel rugged. I'll probably purchase two more.
The AirTags work as expected.
The $12.95 Belkin holders were a nice surprise. I wasn't sure what to expect judging by the photo on Apple's site, concerned they might be some kind soft silicone rubber. And thus not stand up well to normal use - especially where the key ring passes through the holder's loop. They are in fact textured hard plastic and well-designed - and clever how the two halves come together around the Airtag. They look nice and feel rugged. I'll probably purchase two more.
The thief would have to have access to the AirTag itself to disable it, which can only be done by removing the battery. You can easily lock an AirTag inside of the luggage, glove compartment of a car, or an AirTag case with proprietary screws to prevent disabling attached to a bike.
Yes, they’ll be notified that they’re being tracked which is actually a desirable feature: they’ll ditch your goods and you can go find them. Following an AirTag to a thief’s home isn’t exactly what you want, unless you’re a cop but in many cities the police won’t bother taking on the case of a missing luggage/backpack/bike. They have bigger fish to fry. Your best hope is that the thief’s phone pings him letting him know there’s a tracker and he rushes to the nearest back alley to ditch your stuff.
So the smart-ass response would be: get a car whose location you can track through an app. Then you won't need AirTags for your car.
I'm assuming what you say is correct. If so, more people need to read this. Too much FUD at the moment.
Is there any way to change an AirTag emoji once it has been set up in Find My?
Edit: Never mind. I found it. You have to rename the item. After you rename it, you have the option to add an emoji. I am surprised there isn't an iPad emoji
Edit: Never mind. I found it. You have to rename the item. After you rename it, you have the option to add an emoji. I am surprised there isn't an iPad emoji
Indeed, a four-pack plus the cheapest Apple branded key-fob holder comes to AU$329 before taxes. That’s AU$82.25 per AirTag setup. Or buy one for AU$90. I guess Tim Cook has to run his private jet somehow.
I say they are pretty good, didn’t need 4 or 1 really, might get a second and engrave..biggest criticism is my usual Apple one and that’s it’s white, colour choice would have been good
