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What I want to know is whether or not you have to have a specific app running on iPhones in order to forward tracking data to the owner like Tile requires. Because Tile's market penetration isn't very big and because you have to have the app on your phone means that there are a crapton of phones out there that aren't helping in the task of locating the device. If Apple is smart, they will build the track-and-forward code into the OS so that everybody with an iPhone will participate in locating the tag even if a given phone owner doesn't have one.
 
Though you might not lose anything, you do seem to found someone else’s “o”. Is for those people that want to keep their vowels safe from you. :)

Could be a ping on the tracker isn’t needed? The ping is there because other solutions can put you within hearing distance and then you listen to the ping from there. If these use UWB, the phone could ping (or watch vibrate) as you’re getting closer to it.

Yes another great point. Due to current Bluetooth tracking being inaccurate in pin pointing the devices exact location, sound was needed to help you locate the item once close / in the correct room.

Think how much better it will be with UWB for people who are deaf or have hearing loss. So many selfish people on here.
 
If you need these it's safe to say you've lost control over your life.
whoever needs these probably needs a mental institute more. how can you be so forgetful you need a tracker?
Always have to be a few like this in the crowd. Sorry, but some of us have better things to focus our attention on than keeping track of the current location of dozens of items that might get moved around by other people at any time (though I suppose you have to divide your attention between that and sitting around feeling smug about how good you are at keeping track of all those items).

People organize and live their lives in a lot of different ways. Surprise, you’re not automatically superior to everyone who does things differently than you. You’ll be shocked to learn this, but some of them are quite a bit smarter than you, they just focus their attention and energies differently.
 
Long delay. Only compatible with Apple Silicon?
Yes, definitely, because when Apple comes up with a new highly profitable product to sell to people who have any Apple computing device (Mac, iPad, iPhone), their first thought is, “But let’s arbitrarily limit our market for these to only those who buy a computer we haven’t even released yet! That way we’ll be able to sell dozens!”
 
You are saying there is such a thing as bad publicity? I also think you are over estimating the impact. Apple's products can already be abused. You think people aren't using the iPhone cameras to take pics they shouldn't? Yet the world doesn't focus on the product manufacturer but the crime.

I do think Apple are incredibly careful with their image and how they are perceived. They’ve also made their commitment to privacy part of the their brand. If there is newsworthy controversy that can be spun painting them as hippocrits, I’m sure someone will run with it. It won’t matter much in the long run and everyone will forget, but I’m surprised because Apple are ever so careful and non confrontational in this regard.

To add, sure, you can be malicious with a phone. But everyone has one. This is a dedicated tracking device. The product carries a whole different perception.
 
Yes another great point. Due to current Bluetooth tracking being inaccurate in pin pointing the devices exact location, sound was needed to help you locate the item once close / in the correct room.
I’m hoping someone comes up with a “Finder” app that ties into Apple’s API’s but uses the interface of the “Aliens” tracker :) Could have the makings of a cool little “lasertag” type game, too, put one in your pocket and head outsi... oh wait...
 
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Ok, so it might save you from thieves successful enough to own Apple products, but stupid enough to not remove the most obvious tracker.

I know someone who has sewn their Tiles into handbags and the like so that it is by no means obvious it is trackable. If you're going to use these things, might as well go all the way and do it right.
 
or stolen by someone with an iOS device? I guess when they are stealing it, they could check for an airtag?

I don't think these work that way. An AirTag should only be detectable by your device, not someone else's. The only they their device might do is pick up a non-user detectable signature in support of the networked Find My.
 
So the theft argument. It's used a lot to justify the universal need for this product. I guess I'm not intelligent enough to understand how these cannot be swept by thieves and thrown into a landfill.
 
I can't imagine Apple releasing a new product with just a press release. I imagine that Air Tags will be announced in a November event that also announces the new Apple Silicon Mac. After November it doesn't make sense as Apple will be missing out on holiday sales.
 
The leak says “tag TAG”. i.e. 2 Tags...Tag 2... ”Tag 2: Won’t get tagged again”, The sequel to the 2018 movie Tag is coming to Apple TV+. How did everyone miss this?!
 
What’s the need for this, I’ve never needed to find something I don’t loose anything lol

I will hide one inside my Vespa Scooter to track it in case it gets stolen. Or in my luggage when I fly if the AirTags are cheap enough.
 
I will hide one inside my Vespa Scooter to track it in case it gets stolen. Or in my luggage when I fly if the AirTags are cheap enough.
I'm going to venture a guess that anywhere you could put it in the scooter is inside a metal enclosure, which might cut down on the range considerably.
 
I assume the big picture, replaceable CR2032 isn't very Apple. Might be charged wirelessly, probably another way to increase sales brand new MagSafe puck.
 
Putting aside the fact that anyone can have something drop down the sofa, fall out of their pocket, get moved by a partner/kids, have something stolen, there are also millions of people in the world with Alzheimer's and similar conditions for whom this device could really improve their independence and quality of life - or should we just go by your solution of locking them up in mental institutions?

Why are people always so self-centred and blinkered when judging devices like these?

Think about a scenario where you want to use 'Find My' AirTag to make sure an elderly relative with dementia doesn't wander off. You could attach it to their clothing and set it to notify you if the relative, or child left the house. There are are so many great applications here to enrich security for families. Also knowing that many location trackers are already designed for this purpose the AirTag can take it more mainstream lower the cost barrier to entry for families.
 
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Ridiculous.

How about your baggage when travelling? Whether by train or plane. It is often-to-always impossible to keep your stuff in view at all times. If someone malevolently snaffles it, or it simply gets mis-directed to the wrong place, tracking could be very useful.

I could come up with many sensible use situations which do not imply mental health issues. But people do have all sorts of health issues which affect memory and concentration. Some, quite a number, organic disorders have this effect. Sometimes a simple treatment is all that is required.

Maybe you will find out sometime? I'd like to think no-one does, but sadly t'aint the case.
Wow, that's an epic use case!

I was thinking more about things getting stolen, but the lost luggage is epic.
 
Too many questions:
Whats the price? Probably expensive?
Will it be sold individually or as a set? How many in a set?
How is it powered? Replaceable or chargeable battery?

Put one in the vehicle so you’ll know where you parked it in a large parking lot.
That might be worth it just for that.
 
So the theft argument. It's used a lot to justify the universal need for this product. I guess I'm not intelligent enough to understand how these cannot be swept by thieves and thrown into a landfill.

Depends on where you HIDE the tag. I posted this earlier but I know someone (a coworker) who has sewn a Tile into her purse. No way thief knows about it. Granted, this takes work, but if you want to use these things, you might want to "install" them where they're actually useful. Hanging on a keychain is only for you to find misplaced keys. A thief who steals the keys, yeah, into the trash. Hiding one in the lining of a suitcase, that would work.
 
I'm going to venture a guess that anywhere you could put it in the scooter is inside a metal enclosure, which might cut down on the range considerably.

Most other scooters besides Vespa have plastic bodys. But even in my Vespa there are spots you could use. ;)
 
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I was thinking more about things getting stolen, but the lost luggage is epic.

Lost luggage is almost never lost. It just didn't get to where you are. The fraction of suitcases that don't eventually get to where they are going is infinitesimal. Knowing that your suitcase is still in Cleveland or that it got sent to Peoria instead of Prague doesn't help you at all. The luggage would eventually get scanned and forwarded to where it needs to go...
 
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