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Apple’s most-affordable gadget, AirTag: How it works, compatibility and more
Gadgets Now Bureau23 Apr, 2021, 11:23AM IST
Apple AirTag is a tiny tracker that helps you locate items
You can attach the AirTag on any thing you wish to track. Using the Apple AirTag you can track the exact location of the item when you misplace it. Also, you can even use it as a ‘GPS tracker’ to get the real-time location update of an item or person that has the AirTag.
The cost of one Apple AirTag tracker is Rs 3,190
Apple AirTag is launched in India at a price of Rs 3,190 for one tracker. A pack of four Apple AirTag trackers cost 10,900. You can use four different AirTag trackers to attach to four different objects like keys, wallet, backpack or any other important item that you may be carrying.
You can need a latest iPhone to use the Apple AirTag tracker
Apple AirTag tracker works only with iPhones. While all iPhones are compatible, for getting the precise location, you will need to use iPhone 11 or iPhone 12 series models.
Apple AirTag uses U1 chip with Ultra Wideband technology for accurate tracking
AirTag is powered by Apple’s U1 chip using Ultra Wideband technology and if you enable Precision Finding on iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 users then you more accurately determine the distance and direction to a lost AirTag when it is in range.
Apple AirTag works with the Find My app on your iPhone
After setting the AirTag, it will appear in the new Items tab in the Find My app. You can mark different AirTag trackers as keys, wallet, files, etc. You can check out the item’s current or last known location on a map. If you happen to misplace the item with an attached AirTag and it is within Bluetooth range, you can use the Find My app to play a sound from the AirTag to help locate it. You can also ask Siri to find the item, and AirTag will play a sound if it is nearby.
If the AirTag gets separated from you owner and is out of Bluetooth range, the Find My network can help you track it down. The Find My network can detect Bluetooth signals from a lost AirTag and relay the location back to its owner.
You can also place AirTag into Lost Mode and get notified when it is in range or has been located by the Find My network.
Apple uses high-tech precision finding to locate the AirTag
“As a user moves, Precision Finding fuses input from the camera, ARKit, accelerometer, and gyroscope, and then will guide them to AirTag using a combination of sound, haptics, and visual feedback,” as per Apple.
You can use an Android phone with NFC to detect a lost Apple AirTag
You need to have an iPhone to use the AirTag. This tracker doesn’t work with Android phones. Having said that you can use an Android phone with NFC to alert the owner of the AirTag if you happen to find a lost AirTag.
Apple AirTag is not the only tracker available
Note that AirTag is not the only tracker that you can use. There are different trackers from Tile that cost similar but work with both iPhone and Android phones. So, if you ever decide to shift to an Android phone then your AirTag trackers will be of no use.
Who should buy Apple AirTag trackers
Apple AirTag is primarily meant for finding things that can easily get lost. Also, you can hide one in your car or attach one on your laptop, so that you can track the location if someone steals your car or laptop. It can either be used for finding day-to-day objects or for tracking items.
Apple AirTag offers one-year battery life and comes with replaceable battery
AirTag is claimed to offer a year’s worth of battery life with everyday use. It is powered by a replaceable CR2032 battery. CR2032 batteries are easily found in the market for as low as Rs 30 per piece.
Apple Airtag is IP67 dust and water resistant
AirTag is dust and water resistant and comes with its own speaker. You can activate the speaker to play sound while searching for the AirTag if you wish. It works on Bluetooth LE and offers Siri support as well. You can call Siri on your phone and ask it to find a particular AirTag.
Apple Airtag offers voice over support too
AirTag includes support for the accessibility features built into iOS. Precision Finding using VoiceOver, for example, can direct users who are blind or low-vision to AirTag with directions like “AirTag is 9 feet away on your left”.