Apple AirTag will let you find your lost keys for US$29 a pop
Apple's everyday object tracker thingamajig is finally here. Unimaginatively called AirTag, it is designed for one purpose only- to help people find stuff. One can attach an AirTag to just about every object that can get lost, including keys, backpacks, luggage, etc. It uses a mix of wireless protocols to help users locate a thing, even within a cluttered area. However, it is worth noting that an AirTag will only work with devices iOS/iPadOS 14.5 or newer.
AirTag uses a mix of wireless protocols, such as ultra-wideband, NFC, and Bluetooth, to facilitate tracking. UWB chips are relatively new and only found on the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12. However, their range is quite limited due to the nature of UWB waves. Older devices and objects beyond the span of a UWB chip rely on Bluetooth instead. An AirTag also emits an audible sound when they are within the Bluetooth range of an iPhone.
An AirTag also relies on Apple's Find My network to help users locate an object for objects that are further away. This uses information from other Apple devices in the vicinity without compromising on privacy. One has to set an AirTag to 'lost mode' to facilitate the tracking. It also needs to 'check in' with its owners from time to time. Failure to do so will cause it to draw attention towards itself when the AirTag is in motion. Anyone with an NFC-enabled device can then disable it.
Apple lets you customize your AirTag with a host of imagery, including emojis and text. Accessories such as the Polyurethane Loop, Leather Loop and Leather Key allow users to attach AirTags to a host of daily objects. Users can also designate AirTags to specific things via the linked app. A single AirTag will set you back by US$29, while a pack of four retails at US$99. It will be available for purchase starting April 30.
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