Samsung's Galaxy SmartTag With UWB Beats AirTags to Market, Launches April 16 for $39.99

[tooloud10]

Imagine fastening anything to your keys that would make them physically twice as big and the chances are you would reduce the likelihood of them being lost.

Imagine thinking that an object's physical size is the only variable in predicting whether the item could ever be lost or stolen.

 

[ani4ani]

Imagine thinking that an object's physical size is the only variable in predicting whether the item could ever be lost or stolen.

Why would you imagine that? I am just pointing out that very small things often can't be seen and percieved lost, when they'e not.

 

[Kabeyun]

Meanwhile apple trying to figure out how to implement under-screen fingerprint sensors since Samsung owns all the patents.

They’d better, since they haven’t yet implemented a worthwhile fingerprint sensor, let alone figured out where they should put it. For a device whose design they copied. And round and round we go.

Hey at least you have LiDAR 😀.

“You” presumably means iPhone owners, which makes me wonder what this Samsung-loving, Android-rocking newbie is doing on a forum for Apple enthusiasts. Nvm, I figured it out.

 

[Solver]

It looks like my "Cube."

 

[falainber]

Samsung ‘beats’ Apple again. It’s all over folks, Samsung FTW!

This is a joke with a lot of truth in it. Samsung users do enjoy early start with a lot of tech. For example, they were able to use things like NFC, AMOLED, phablets and under-the-screen fingerprint sensor a few years before Apple customers got their hands on this tech. It all adds up. If one wants to use the latest tech, Samsung is a natural choice. If waiting a few years is OK, Apple is a viable option.

 

[reden]

"beats airtags" is a stretch lol.

 

[sinsin07]

Since when has Apple ever been first to market for anything? It’s their strategy to NOT be first to market, let the other guys figure out all the bugs and then they launch a product that does it better.

This, it has always been like this. They have never been first, they just wait and then do it. Usually better.

Headlines like "beats airtags" is unnecessary and just foments the discussion.

Selective memory.
Here is one example. If you use search engine you will find others.

Apple Announces A7, World's First 64-bit Smartphone SoC

www.anandtech.com

What about what smartphones were like before first iPhone?

 

[RickDEGH]

Gosh, I wish these were out a month ago, when I lost my beloved Timberland cap in the train. Cost me another 17,90€ (50% discount) to replace it. 😀

 

[Rafterman]

Selective memory.
Here is one example. If you use search engine you will find others.

Apple Announces A7, World's First 64-bit Smartphone SoC

www.anandtech.com

What about what smartphones were like before first iPhone?

That picture conveniently leaves out Pocket PC's. They were cellphones that could run third party apps and games, had cameras, bluetooth, wifi and play videos, music, audiobooks - many of the same things iPhone would end up doing.

 

[cparktd]

I just want something so I can find my sweetie in the dadgum Walmart, and my dadgum car in the dadgum parking lot... dadgum it!
I expect these devices don't have enough range and a GPS app I tried wasn't accurate enough!

 

[TheNotch]

Since when has Apple ever been first to market for anything? It’s their strategy to NOT be first to market, let the other guys figure out all the bugs and then they launch a product that does it better.

Are you saying that Apple like to live off other people's hard work?

 

[TheSapient]

Samsung: We've got smart tags for sale.
MacRumors: Samsung tags available before Apple's.
MacRumors Forum: Who cares about first? Not me! In fact, it is something I never even think about. First this, first that. It doesn't matter! You just don't get how much being first is not important to me. Other companies just try to figure out what Apple is doing and then rush to get out products so they can be first. If I said it once, I've said it a million times. I don't even notice who is first. First is stupid and I don't want it.

 

[locrumo]

When we can't travel, travel gadgets are coming. At least, we can track ourselves in quarantine.

 

[theotherphil]

Guess I am still not sold on the marketing side, especially at $40+ each. If stolen, a thief would simply remove them. Around the house, I guess my home isn't so cluttered that I need to add a tracking device to anything. What would you track, using a tile, that cannot or is not already being tracked?

It’s when products have the “tags” embedded in their design we’ll see some really cool things. Like the eBikes from VanMoof for example.

 

[theotherphil]

Didn't we first hear about AirTags like 2 years ago now? Wonder what's taking them so long..

Because “Tile” complained all the way back then that Apple were about to steal their ideas and eat their lunch. “Anti-Competitive” has been a buzzword for a while.

Now if Apple just came out with AirTags and they excluded third parties, that may be the case. However, they created API’s for third parties to get on board and opened the FindMy network. This makes it vastly more likely to increase adoption and vastly less likely Apple will be sued for anti-competitive behaviour.

Tile’s business model of charging a subscription whilst selling your user data is about to end and they’ll need to hop aboard or be left behind.

 

[ani4ani]

Did you even read the portion you quoted? Wow.

And I don't know anyone who doesn't have a key tag (or fob on car keys) that isn't larger than these tracking tags. I guess if you say you literally carry bare keys in your pocket, I'll have to believe you but you'd be the first person I've ever heard of who does.

Well for actual interest since you speculated...none of my vehicle keys are keys in that they are simple fobs and are “keyless” entry so they never leave my pocket. (mechanical key latched inside)...and then I have a ”house” key, which has a tiny fob (smaller than key). Since I have multiple vehicles I have separate keys, but only carry one at a time and the house key is always carried separately...so yes I literally carry essentially a bare key in my pocket which is a absolutely smaller than any smart tag. As for someone stealing my key if it were attached to a tag, I am pretty sure it would become unattached very quickly and rendered useless to me.

 

[theotherphil]

Well for actual interest since you speculated...none of my vehicle keys are keys in that they are simple fobs and are “keyless” entry so they never leave my pocket. (mechanical key latched inside)...and then I have a ”house” key, which has a tiny fob (smaller than key). Since I have multiple vehicles I have separate keys, but only carry one at a time and the house key is always carried separately...so yes I literally carry essentially a bare key in my pocket which is a absolutely smaller than any smart tag. As for someone stealing my key if it were attached to a tag, I am pretty sure it would become unattached very quickly and rendered useless to me.

I too only carry a single key and my house key and car fob are seperate.

Now, think if this tech is embedded in the key/ fob. That’s a whole different ballgame and one which Apple is encouraging through “Made for iPhone” licensing.

Add to this an ability to work in reverse - eg if you become separated from your product then you get an instant notification. There’ll be no more leaving your keys/ sunglasses/ wallet/ laptop at a restaurant/ library/ public transport.

 

[ani4ani]

It’s when products have the “tags” embedded in their design we’ll see some really cool things. Like the eBikes from VanMoof for example.

Or Sennheiser Momentum 3 wireless headphones (tile built in)

 

[ani4ani]

I too only carry a single key and my house key and car fob are seperate.

Now, think if this tech is embedded in the key/ fob. That’s a whole different ballgame and one which Apple is encouraging through “Made for iPhone” licensing.

100% agree with this.

But physically attaching something bigger like a tag I do not see the use for. Furthermore it looks like the Apple device hasn’t even got a hole for a keyring so the tag itself will need to be attached to something first, making it, at least in my eyes very cumbersome.

 

[MedRed]

Samsung: We've got smart tags for sale.
MacRumors: Samsung tags available before Apple's.
MacRumors Forum: Who cares about first? Not me! In fact, it is something I never even think about. First this, first that. It doesn't matter! You just don't get how much being first is not important to me. Other companies just try to figure out what Apple is doing and then rush to get out products so they can be first. If I said it once, I've said it a million times. I don't even notice who is first. First is stupid and I don't want it.

I'll take a well executed later over a rushed, compromised first all day.

 

[shapesinaframe]

I’m curious but cautious about UWB trackers, particularly from a legal perspective. Basically just waiting for the first horror story so we can all find out what loophole was missed.
—

We are already extremely trackable - our mobile devices self-report their location and, if necessary, cell tower data can be subpoenaed. However, those are active tracking mechanisms.

UWB tracker tags rely on others who are constantly polling for nearby devices and reporting the device ID and location back to the cloud. This is passive tracking (the UWB tag is not broadcasting its location). For this to work, millions of mobile devices must become a de facto spy network, constantly scanning and reporting the ID of any UWB tag they encounter.

If person A wants to monitor the activity of person B, all person A needs to do is conceal a UWB tag in clothing, a purse, book bag, vehicle, anywhere. It needs minimal or no power and it doesn’t need to broadcast its location. The ”network” of UWB devices (phones) are constantly polling, detecting that tracker, and reporting back the tracker ID and their location. The phones are oblivious to the purpose or intent of that tag. Person A never really had to “spy” on Person B - everyone else did it for them. Even if Apple terminated Person A’s ability to see the tag’s location history, the network of UWB devices are still reporting that tag every time it is encountered.

Phone manufacturers will not want you to disable UWB because it will undermine their efforts to monitor everything humanly possible. Expect victory stories to be brought forth early on about toddlers being rescued from kidnappers because a tag was sewed into a jacket. Later, the backlash will come: cheating spouses will be tracked to a lover’s house and murdered. Congressional hearings will be conducted to ask Apple and others what they’re doing to protect people’s privacy. No power will be relinquished.

There were some information posted a while back that showed the iOS interface warning the user that an unknown airtag has been following their location.

iOS 14.5 Beta 3 Includes 'Item Safety Feature' for AirTags and Other Tracked Items to Help Prevent Stalking

iOS and iPadOS 14.5 beta 3 includes a new "Item Safety Feature" that helps prevent someone from stalking or tracking you with item trackers...

www.macrumors.com

 

[Abazigal]

Are you saying that Apple like to live off other people's hard work?

He’s saying that what Apple does best is take an emerging product category with a frustrating user experience and deliver a polished product made possible by its control over both the hardware and software.

 

[MauiPa]

Wouldn’t it be funny if they never intended to even release an air tag? With the third party integration just released they get all the benefits without having to produce a cheap, low margin product. Hmmmm, this actually makes sense

 

[Abazigal]

Wouldn’t it be funny if they never intended to even release an air tag? With the third party integration just released they get all the benefits without having to produce a cheap, low margin product. Hmmmm, this actually makes sense

Having an airtag network will be crucial when Apple does finally roll our their AR glasses.

As always, we are seeing only the bits and pieces of Apple's grander strategy and not the bigger picture.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

At least the Samsung tag HAS A HOLE IN IT so you can ATTACH IT TO STUFF. I can’t understand why the Apple tags will, apparently, require an additional part - a case - to attach clips, lanyards, etc.

A dongle for a tag.

Sounds like Apple, alright.