AIRTAGS ARE COMING
It’s not just StudioPods that could be coming
soon. Apple has been (not so secretly) working
on a Tile tracker competitor for several months,
after first leaking them in iOS 13 beta code.
The miniature Bluetooth device is designed to
be attached to items such as keys and wallets
to be tracked, allowing users to monitor their
item’s locations using their iOS devices.
As first discovered by MacRumors, Apple has
already trademarked the AirTag name, and
made references to it alongside leaking Tile-like
assets in iOS 13.2 code.
AirTags will work using imbedded chips, which
will connect to iPhones and relay locations
back to users. It’s expected that users will be
able to monitor their items’ locations inside
of the Find My app under a new Items tab,
perhaps the reason why the company decided
to merge its Find My Friends and Find My
iPhone apps when it launched iOS 13 in
September. According to code in iOS 13, if you
lose an item with an AirTag, you’ll be notified,
and can tap a button in the Find My app that
will cause the AirTag to chime loudly (as it does
for iPhones). Apple is reportedly working on
augmented reality tech that will track down
items, placing a balloon to display where the
item was located. “Walk around several feet and
move your iPhone up and down until a balloon
comes into view,” the leaked code says.
It’s not yet known how much Apple will charge
for its new AirTags, but Tile offers its products
for around $25 a piece. Apple could look to
bundle AirTags together or even offer them for
free alongside an iPhone or Mac purchase to
incentivize their adoption and cannibalize Tile.