T-Mobile Launches $60 LTE 'SyncUP' Item Tracker

[MacRumors]

Just a week after Apple unveiled the AirTags, T-Mobile has announced the launch of the SyncUP TRACKER, an LTE-based tracking device that's designed to attach to items that are easily lost.

Because it connects to T-Mobile's LTE network, the SyncUP TRACKER does not need to be near a smartphone to be tracked over Bluetooth, so it can be tracked regardless of location. That means it is ideal for use with items that are separated from you, such as luggage when traveling by plane.

T-Mobile says that the SyncUP TRACKER can be "found virtually anywhere" and that it provides near real-time tracking and virtual boundary alerts even when it's located hundreds of miles away. Users can get notified when a SyncUP TRACKER moves out of range of a set boundary, there's an option to ring a lost item, and a built-in light sensor can detect light changes from light to dark so the device can tell if it's moved out of a backpack, locker, or other item.

Each SyncUP TRACKER can have a customizable profile with name and photo, plus there are options to customize how often it pings back to a smartphone in order to improve the TRACKER's battery life. SyncUP TRACKERs feature an IP67 water and dust resistance rating, and the built-in 900mAh battery lasts up to seven days before needing to be recharged.

Apple's AirTags last for up to a year on a single CR2032 battery, but T-Mobile's need to be recharged more often because LTE drains more battery life.

T-Mobile's SyncUP TRACKERs are priced at $60 each or $2.50 per month per device on a 24-month payment plan, and the data plan will cost $5 per month. At this price point and with a monthly fee, the SyncUP TRACKER has a specialized purpose and won't likely be direct AirTag competitor. Apple's AirTags are priced at $29 each and do not have a monthly fee.

Article Link: T-Mobile Launches $60 LTE 'SyncUP' Item Tracker

 

[nathan_reilly]

having to charge once a week is a drag

 

[mansplains]

I wonder what the roaming charges are when your luggage gets lost in another country

 

[phr0z3n]

I can't imagine financing a 60 dollar product for 2 years.

 

[Freeangel1]

Dam. finally a way to find my lost dog!

 

[King Of The Hill]

I thought we were supposed to turn off cellular devices during the flight?

 

[Unity451]

Geez look at the size of that power button!

 

[Vol Braakzakje]

I hope when I lose my keys I have my powerbank connected to the tracker...

 

[iLoveDeveloping]

What about going to a different country? It won’t be on T-mobile then!

 

[Unity451]

Can we attach these to children or is an apple watch still preferred...? Asking for a friend...

 

[apparatchik]

So, if you loose your item right around day six from last charge it’s lost forever, also, the billion iOS devices network of Find My with bluetooth & wifi might have better coverage than any one carrier’s network, as it works inside buildings and remote locations.

Item trackers should be set it once forget them kind of devices, if you’re constant need of charging an item tracker chances are the tracker will be dead and lost along the item.

After a year this tracker wont be holding full-capacity, so expect 4-5 days and after two years it wont hold a day’s worth of battery. I say DOA for this.

 

[javanate]

A monthly "data" fee, because of course...

 

[javanate]

What about going to a different country? It won’t be on T-mobile then!

That's where the international roaming fee comes in

 

[Solomani]

If this SynchTracker relies on T-Mobile's "wireless network" to locate things..... oh boy, people get ready to permanently lose your luggage, your stolen bicycle, your wandering dogs, your $2500 bougie mountain bikes, etc. T-Mobile's unreliable network still frequently drops cellular signal in so many places, even in the most urban areas of California.... it's not even funny.

I'm used to seeing one bar or two bar signals even at home. And I live in a huge suburban city of over 100,000 population, where there are TWO T-Mobile Retail Stores within 7 miles of my house. And yet, their cellular signals suck (relative to Verizon and AT&T).

 

[Amazing Iceman]

Sounds to me like it’s a DOA product.

 

[LeadingHeat]

I am having a hard time figuring out a better use case for this than airtags or even tile. 7 day battery life is horrible for tracking items, plus an upfront $60 and then $5/month PER TRACKER. So if you want more than one it’s gonna cost you more than a 4 pack of airtags. Which with the ~1 billion device network probably comes close to finding it with the same chance as well.

 

[vipergts2207]

$5/month? That's a joke if I ever heard one. I thought charging $5-10/month for Apple Watches was bad.

 

[lazyrighteye]

Why didn't they also add a smart speaker? Looks big enough.

 

[magicschoolbus]

A lot of people here poo-pooing this.. competition is good, and a product hooked into the cell network is great. I have a Whistle tracker for my dog, that is 10$ a month hooked up to AT&T - it gives me peace of mind when adventuring outside of daily route. I'm sure other people will find this useful.

 

[Solomani]

I thought we were supposed to turn off cellular devices during the flight?

Were you expecting to lose things during your flight?!

"Stewardess, stewardess! Please help me, I lost my glass of wine that you just billed me $35 on my credit card!"

 

[jasonefmonk]

Samsung SmartThings have similar products that use cellular.

 

[Westside guy]

It's an interesting concept that addresses the biggest shortcoming with all the existing Tile-type products - their passive nature typically requires that a phone be able to "ping" them.

However the very short battery life here drastically limits the practical use cases for this product.

 

[matthew12]

This is actually more useful for me with my electric scooter than an AirTag, since it has GPS and LTE. So I might pick up one of these to replace the Samsung SmartThings tracker I have that no longer gets cellular.

 

[kycophpd]

Did you read the original post? It clearly said “That means it is ideal for use with items that are separated from you, such as luggage when traveling by plane.”

I think the person made a valid point. How does it know to shut off the cellular signal during flight then reactivate?

Were you expecting to lose things during your flight?!

"Stewardess, stewardess! Please help me, I lost my glass of wine that you just billed me $35 on my credit card!"

 

[fwmireault]

7 days battery life and 5$ a month for each tracker? No way that this product build any success. You see that Apple have tought way more the AirTags market, with almost similar results regarding to tracking.