BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

Apple has just released their newest Bluetooth tracking device called the AirTag.

Apple can’t seem to get enough of new releases this 2021. We’re just halfway through the year, and there came the latest iPhones (yes, plural), new Apple TV 4K, iPad Pro, and iMac 24” with the superb M1 chip.

Bluetooth trackers aren’t exactly new, but the AirTags seem to be getting exceptionally great feedback. Let’s learn more about this latest device tracker from Apple to find out why:

What are AirTags?

AirTags are tiny circular tags that you can attach to your devices to make them trackable. These trackers are linked to Apple’s Find My app so you can efficiently locate your items.

It’s tiny — roughly the size of a big mint candy, which is the perfect size to slip into your wallet. Or you can also buy one of those key rings or loops, so you can easily fasten AirTags to your bag or keys. One side of the AirTag is white plastic; the other is stainless steel, similar to the back of your wristwatch, which houses the battery. It uses a CR2032 which should last a year. The device also boasts an IP67 dust and water resistance feature. This means it can be submerged underwater temporarily.

How do AirTags work?

We’ve all experienced misplacing our keys and our wallet. Out of frustration, we sometimes wish we can just get them to produce a sound to locate them easier, just like ringing our phones.

AirTags do precisely that and more. When your AirTag is attached to your keys, for example, you can ping your device through the Find My app. Your AirTag will then produce a sound that you can follow to find your misplaced items. Interestingly, you can’t easily detect the speaker from the device, but it’s there, and it just works. 

If your AirTag is in a range close enough (approximately 30 feet), your iPhone can even lead you straight to the item it is attached to through Precision Finding. It works like a compass that tells you exactly how far your item is from you and the directions to get to it, thanks to Ultra Wideband Technology.

Now, let’s say your item is lost, as in you accidentally dropped your wallet along with an AirTag during your commute. You can put that device in Lost Mode, wherein you can enter a contact number. Then, when someone detects your AirTag, they can tap it using their NFC smartphone, and it will lead them to a website with your contact information.

Are AirTags secure?

If you’re curious about its security, Apple explains how they do it. First, your AirTag sends out a secure Bluetooth signal detected by devices in your Find My network. You will then receive the location of your AirTag through your iCloud’s Find My app, which as we know, is uniquely encrypted.

AirTags have built-in privacy. You’re the only one who can see where your AirTag is — not even Apple knows. It keeps no record of location data or history, and devices that relay information of a lost AirTag are always encrypted and anonymous.

Don’t worry about other people maliciously using their AirTags to track you. Apple has prepared for that, too. If another person’s AirTag finds its way into your things, it will notify you through your iPhone. If you still haven’t seen it, it will play a sound to alert you.

There are definitely instances when you may be nearby other people who also have AirTags with them. If you think it would alert you nonstop, that wouldn’t be the case. Alerts are only activated when an AirTag is far from its owner.

Is there a way I can personalize my AirTag?

You may be thinking: “I may confuse my AirTags with another’s, especially with a device this popular.” That’s a valid point. For additional personalization on top of using a key ring or loop to hold your AirTag, you can also request free engraving! Personalize them with your initials or even emojis for character.

Through these trackers, Apple helps you to locate not just your devices but also other random possessions. We all wanted that at some point. But what sets AirTags apart is that they meet our expectations, in the most efficient way possible. 

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo from Photo from Apple