Few days after opening the ‘Find My Network’ to third-party device makers, Apple has finally announced its AirTag iPhone accessory. The tracking device, which can be attached to bags, bikes, keys, pets, and others uses the network to offer a private and secure way to locate personal effects, items, and valuables using the Find My app. It is set to rival Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTag+ and other similar products from Tile and others.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Priced starting at US$ 29 (US$ 99 for a pack of four), the AirTag connects to the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch the same way the AirPods does – by simply bring it within the range of the iPhone. It features a built-in speaker for notification and removable cover for swapping the batteries. The polished stainless-steel body is IP67-rated (water- and dust-resistant) and each one can be personalised with text and emojis directly on Apple.com or Apple Store app.
While assigning the accessory to items, users can label them with default or custom names in the Find My app. It can be placed in a bag or coupled with accessories such as the Polyurethane Loop, Leather Loop, and Leather Key Ring. Once the AirTag is setup, it will be spotted in the new items tab in the Find My app and users can either ask Siri to find the item or use the map to check the item’s current or last known location.
The app can be used to play a sound from the accessory within Bluetooth range. Thanks to the Apple U1 chip on the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 which uses the Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology, users will enjoy special precision finding. This will allow help them pinpoint the location of the item within range as well as using input from the camera, ARKit, accelerometer, and gyroscope. A combination of sound, haptics, and visual feedback aid the user in locating the accessory.
If the accessory is out of Bluetooth range, the user can place it in ‘Lost Mode’ to be able to track it down using the Find My Network. Other users can also help with finding any lost AirTag, they just have to tap it using their iPhone or any NFC-equipped device to access the contact info of the users. The accessory takes advantage of the iOS’ accessibility features to provide VoiceOver during Precision Finding for the visually challenged users and both privacy and security features such as end-to-end communication encryption and rotating Bluetooth signal identifiers.