VanMoof and Apple Spent Nine Months Working to Integrate E-Bikes Into Apple's Find My Ecosystem

[AlexMaximus]

I think it's a killer feature. Bike theft is a plague (at least in Europe, can't talk about the US) and anything than can add a layer of security will be well received. As someone mentioned above, this is integrated inside the frame with the rest of the electrical components so I think trying to disable it would greatly reduce the value of the bike.

THIS

 

[Alan Wynn]

Obviously this is a privacy concern

Not the way the system works it is not. You do not know what items you have passed, and the locations for tagged devices that are transmitted do not include the information on the iOS/iPadOS/macOS/WatchOS device that saw them. In other words, your iPhone sends the location data for devices it sees without sending its information and your iPhone does not tell you it saw a device. Anonymous both ways.

 

[thefourthpope]

Excellent use for the Find My feature. I’m excited for this to make its way into more things. Always-on WiFi connection not needed; only used as necessary. A wonderful development.

 

[jimthing]

Question: Is there anything to stop an abuser hiding a tracker in someone's bag, and then tracking said person?

 

[Alan Wynn]

Question: Is there anything to stop an abuser hiding a tracker in someone's bag, and then tracking said person?

Yes. If there is a device that is following you that is not yours, your Apple device will notify you and then give you an option to disable it. What is not clear is if it disables the reporting in general, or just the reporting from your device. However, that would notify you that there is a device that you should try to find.

 

[GadgetBen]

Did Apple have any input other than on the feature in question?

Good question. I would direct that at Apple.

I would imagine though, like any good engineer, that ideas and feedback would be shared regarding the entire product design.

 

[ericwn]

Good question. I would direct that at Apple.

I would imagine though, like any good engineer, that ideas and feedback would be shared regarding the entire product design.

Strongly doubt it. It’s a third party product first and foremost and existed long before integrating a feature. With electric bikes that’s usually a specific frame design that’s then assembled and kitted out with parts from mostly Asian manufacturers.

I’d be surprised if Apple had any say outside of the feature implementation, just like it is with CarPlay in cars. Although the marketing department of the bike manufacturers would make you believe it’s the greatest thing since an iPhone.