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Apple Introduces AirTag

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41–50 of 966 posts

Re: Apple Introduces AirTag

#41
post #18

This is directly competing with Tile[0] which you can buy 2 for 39.99. I guess the integration with Find My app would be pretty convenient but probably not worth the price difference? [0] https://www.thetileapp.com/en-us/store/tiles/sticker

The tile ones only have 150-400ft range, which is fine for locating things in your home, but not so great if you lose something out in public

Re: Apple Introduces AirTag

#42

Interesting that I never knew the “Find My” network has all my devices participating in finding other people’s devices, but I’m not surprised. Another reason I leave Bluetooth off by default.

What's wrong with that?

     1. No informed consent that your device can do this
     2. No positive consent to use it
     3. No positive consent to allow others to use it on your behalf
     4. Who controls the spy network? 
     5. They are using your bandwidth and device (similar to theft of resources, albeit trivial amounts)

Re: Apple Introduces AirTag

#43
post #18

This is directly competing with Tile[0] which you can buy 2 for 39.99. I guess the integration with Find My app would be pretty convenient but probably not worth the price difference? [0] https://www.thetileapp.com/en-us/store/tiles/sticker

In addition to what the other commenter said, Tile products are very flaky. The price difference doesn't matter to me, since Tile's products just don't work.

Re: Apple Introduces AirTag

#45
post #26

If I was evil and stuck these to ex-girlfriend/boyfriend car or something, illegal? Edit: Downvoters. I am not doing this obviously. Am asking as this is the clear abuse I see. Tracking people without permission. I see this as being a weird legal thing we hear about down the road.

From the link: "iOS devices can also detect an AirTag that isn’t with its owner, and notify the user if an unknown AirTag is seen to be traveling with them from place to place over time."

I wonder how they allow a device to tell that the same AirTag is being seen repeatedly without allowing malicious third-parties to do the same?

I thought the system was designed in such a way that the data is meaningless to anyone but the owner of the tag, so that third-parties can't learn anything from said data.

Re: Apple Introduces AirTag

#46
post #26

If I was evil and stuck these to ex-girlfriend/boyfriend car or something, illegal? Edit: Downvoters. I am not doing this obviously. Am asking as this is the clear abuse I see. Tracking people without permission. I see this as being a weird legal thing we hear about down the road.

From the link: "iOS devices can also detect an AirTag that isn’t with its owner, and notify the user if an unknown AirTag is seen to be traveling with them from place to place over time."

It may not be foolproof (ie. if the person in question doesn't use iOS) but at least this shows Apple has considered the potential for abuse.

Re: Apple Introduces AirTag

#47
post #30
post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're being down voted because this is described on the page. If a tag not linked to your phone travels with you frequently while being away from its owner you'll get a notification.

What if you don't have an iPhone?

That’s in the article too. It will start beeping when moved if it’s following someone that’s not the owner for a while.

Re: Apple Introduces AirTag

#48
I had a Tile set that I put on my keys, backpack, wallet and luggage. In the end it was too annoying with bluetooth usage draining my phone's battery and not working reliably enough when I needed it, now all the Tile stuff is sitting in a drawer. Maybe Apple can do better with their attention to UX but the main thing I learned is that these things are a whole lot less useful than they might sound. Apple probably needs to make them a bit less expensive to be successful.

Re: Apple Introduces AirTag

#49
post #16

> AirTag is designed for over a year’s worth of battery life with everyday use. The CR2032 battery is user-replaceable and widely available. Replacement batteries are sold separately. That's the piece of information I wanted to know first. Devices like this can be built, but those can't run on batteries for a reasonable time frame. Apple made it practical.

Didn't expect user replaceable commodity batteries from Apple. That's nice.

Re: Apple Introduces AirTag

#50
post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

except that of course your iphone will notify you if it sees an airtag that's not yours frequently.

If you have an iphone. But outside the US, Android is far more popular. But this also begs the question, if I steal something with an AirTag on it, my iPhone would tell me that the item has an AirTag on it.

If you don’t have an iPhone, the tag will just start beeping by itself whenever it’s moved. This is covered in the article.
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