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Apple introduces new AirTag with longer range and improved findability

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Re: Apple introduces new AirTag with longer range and improved findability

#111

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sounds like one of those "what if..." things someone made up. AirTags are terrible for surreptitious tracking, alerting every iOS user nearby of a tracked product following them around. I mean, years ago people, such as stalkers, would use it for this purpose, but Apple rightly gimped that. There are a lot of specialized, self-connected trackers that creeps and criminals use.

Well, to be historically accurate: Apple has pretty much been forced by the backlash to notify people that they're being tracked and even then it only worked if you had an iPhone. They knew what they were doing and I'm sure the stalking aspect helped their sales significantly as it seems to be a very popular behaviour in the US.

Sure, that's accurate. I actually never said otherwise, nor did I saint Apple. They were basically forced to do it.

Virtually any tracking or surveillance has a knock-on effect that we often overlook in our enthusiasm, but Apple absolutely should have foreseen the abuse that would happen, and certainly profited off of it.

Re: Apple introduces new AirTag with longer range and improved findability

#112
post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Building an attachment point into the tag itself is still beyond current technology though. We just don't know how to do it.

this is the smallest attachment loop i've found. It's rock solid https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CPTS8JG?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_...

Dude... not cool to put your Amazon `ref` link in there....

Re: Apple introduces new AirTag with longer range and improved findability

#113

I tried AirTags once. It beeped non stop on my own possessions. I don’t understand how anyone uses these things.

That’s not the expected experience, and not the one other people have.

I once bought 4 air tags, never got to work them in any useful sense. I keep getting warnings about leaving my keys behind, which are in my pocket. I don't recall any time being warned about leaving things behind when I did. Can't really locate things a few meters away.

Re: Apple introduces new AirTag with longer range and improved findability

#114
post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Apple of late is a mystery. Their software and hardware product quality is wildly inconsistent and, yet, with the most simplest of hardware like AirTags and AirPods, they're like magic. iPhones, I could hardly care less about. These new airtags? Insta buy!

I can see it in AirTags, but, haven't used AirPods myself, what is so "magical" about them? Also, my understanding is that AirTags are only usable if you have an iPhone, am I wrong?

I've used them with my iPad. I don't have a Mac, but I would guess they work with any Find My-capable machine.

Re: Apple introduces new AirTag with longer range and improved findability

#115

Airtag is the reason of why I stil have my favourite hand luggage. I had just sat down on the train from Zurich to Basel. Suddenly, someone sat down in front of me. He looked suspicious, but I didn't pay much attention. Just before the train departed, he picked up what I thought were his belongings and left. Twenty minutes later, already on the way to Basel, I looked toward where I had left my suitcase. It was gone.…

Thankfully you were in Switzerland rather than the states, I just never see American police caring about that.

Re: Apple introduces new AirTag with longer range and improved findability

#116

"With its updated internal design, the new AirTag is 50 percent louder than the previous generation, enabling users to hear their AirTag from up to 2x farther than before." Curious about getting 2x the distance from 1.5x the "loudness", I would have thought the inverse? Maybe there is nuance to this though.

loudness is logarithmic

Re: Apple introduces new AirTag with longer range and improved findability

#117
post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Apple of late is a mystery. Their software and hardware product quality is wildly inconsistent and, yet, with the most simplest of hardware like AirTags and AirPods, they're like magic. iPhones, I could hardly care less about. These new airtags? Insta buy!

I can see it in AirTags, but, haven't used AirPods myself, what is so "magical" about them? Also, my understanding is that AirTags are only usable if you have an iPhone, am I wrong?

That just work. I know it sounds simple but if you have been burned by Bluetooth devices before again and again get unburned by AirPods. Also, they stick in my ear even though all other headsets with cable fell out. I don´t know how

Re: Apple introduces new AirTag with longer range and improved findability

#118
post #109

Airtag is the reason of why I stil have my favourite hand luggage. I had just sat down on the train from Zurich to Basel. Suddenly, someone sat down in front of me. He looked suspicious, but I didn't pay much attention. Just before the train departed, he picked up what I thought were his belongings and left. Twenty minutes later, already on the way to Basel, I looked toward where I had left my suitcase. It was gone.…

I do use airtags for this purpose. I also expect (and I read) that most police departments won't pay the slightest bit of attention to your reports.

I also know from experience that Zurich police will chase an AirTag location with vigor.

Re: Apple introduces new AirTag with longer range and improved findability

#119

Great to hear but it's still the same shape. I really want a 'credit card' shaped version I can slide into my wallet.

You can buy a third party wallet card that works with the Find My network just like an AirTag.

I'm always tempted to buy one of these but most of them seem to be one time usage, and don't have a way to recharge. That always seems very wasteful to me.

Any recommendations for a rechargable but thin one, AirTag itself is too thick for regular wallets.

Re: Apple introduces new AirTag with longer range and improved findability

#120
post #109

Airtag is the reason of why I stil have my favourite hand luggage. I had just sat down on the train from Zurich to Basel. Suddenly, someone sat down in front of me. He looked suspicious, but I didn't pay much attention. Just before the train departed, he picked up what I thought were his belongings and left. Twenty minutes later, already on the way to Basel, I looked toward where I had left my suitcase. It was gone.…

I do use airtags for this purpose. I also expect (and I read) that most police departments won't pay the slightest bit of attention to your reports.

Switzerland sends in swat for noise complaints, they would definitely care about a thief that could be caught.
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