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AirTag Teardown Part One: Yeah, This Tracks

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Re: AirTag Teardown Part One: Yeah, This Tracks

#11
post #3

I wonder what the internal discussion at Apple was about whether or not to include a loophole in the product. The fact that fixit has gone out and shown how you can add a loophole rather than wasting $13 on an accessory is a bit of a facepalm moment.

IP67, size, and design. Your comment is more of a facepalm moment.

Re: AirTag Teardown Part One: Yeah, This Tracks

#13
post #3

I wonder what the internal discussion at Apple was about whether or not to include a loophole in the product. The fact that fixit has gone out and shown how you can add a loophole rather than wasting $13 on an accessory is a bit of a facepalm moment.

I think it has as many non-loophole uses as loophole uses, so I can see why they chose to cut down on bulk there. I put one in my wallet and one in a small internal pocket in my bag, neither are actually attached.

I can't remember the last time I actually lost my bag or my wallet, but these are definitely pretty fun.

Re: AirTag Teardown Part One: Yeah, This Tracks

#14

> But why bother putting a real driver in here at all? Magnets not only add weight, they take up a lot of space. Looks like one corner Apple refused to cut on this tiny disk is sound quality. I find it fascinating what tradeoffs are decided upon. Apple is arguably the best luxury brand in the world - and this is why.

Apple’s unique ethos is technology as a means for creative expression. That’s why they’ve excelled in font rendering, colour accuracy, sound fidelity, and input-lag.

I think this value came from Steve Jobs, and I hope they never lose it because it imbues Apple with real human spirit. They’re more than just another profit-seeking company.

Re: AirTag Teardown Part One: Yeah, This Tracks

#15
post #3

I wonder what the internal discussion at Apple was about whether or not to include a loophole in the product. The fact that fixit has gone out and shown how you can add a loophole rather than wasting $13 on an accessory is a bit of a facepalm moment.

prettty sure the entire point was so they can make money off accessories

Re: AirTag Teardown Part One: Yeah, This Tracks

#16

> But why bother putting a real driver in here at all? Magnets not only add weight, they take up a lot of space. Looks like one corner Apple refused to cut on this tiny disk is sound quality. I find it fascinating what tradeoffs are decided upon. Apple is arguably the best luxury brand in the world - and this is why.

Is the magnet strong enough to stick the tag to ferromagnetic metals?

Re: AirTag Teardown Part One: Yeah, This Tracks

#18
The lack of loophole was disorienting, but then I went and looked up how they want you to attach it, and the hangtag accessories look so pretty https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2021/04/apple-introduces-airt... -- things like the appearance and the sound quality really show a commitment to making polished products rather than practical ones. I've been fairly negative on Apple for a few years and they still need to pull bigger rabbits out of their hat until I completely reverse that, but it's really impressive that they've turned a Tile into a status symbol.

It's hilarious to a certain extent that they built the thing smaller than all the competition and bulk it up with a wad of leather anyhow.

Re: AirTag Teardown Part One: Yeah, This Tracks

#19
post #3

I wonder what the internal discussion at Apple was about whether or not to include a loophole in the product. The fact that fixit has gone out and shown how you can add a loophole rather than wasting $13 on an accessory is a bit of a facepalm moment.

I’ll go out on a limb here and guess that their guiding principle with this was as it is with every other portable device they have now - make it as small as practically possible and let people extend it if and how they want[1] to. Saves a little bit of material, makes manufacturing a little less complicated, and makes the accessory ecosystem a whole lot more appealing. 1. I don’t carry a keychain, for example, but I…

> I’ll go out on a limb here and guess that their guiding principle with this was as it is with every other portable device they have now - make it as small as possible and let people extend it if they want

Here I am, desperately clutching my nearly-obsolete iPhone in my small hands, waiting for Apple to return to this principle and make an iPhone that I can comfortably use one-handed again.

Re: AirTag Teardown Part One: Yeah, This Tracks

#20
post #17

Of course the 3D printing community is already designing accessories. https://www.thingiverse.com/search?q=Airtag

Unfortunate to see this use the history api incorrectly to the point that it prevents you from hitting the back button and going to the page you came from.
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