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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

#301

Post by rjh29 »

singularity2001 wrote: post #117
kwanbix wrote: post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

They're just expensive. If you spend the same amount on Sony earbuds or another good brand, they also work fine.

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

#302

Post by rjh29 »

simondotau wrote: post #299
compsciphd wrote: post #295

apple should have an anti-theft mode. Where you can't track it, but they can give access to local law enforcement to track it, and therefore wont go into stalker mode / alerting people about it. If one is in close proximity to the device (say bluetooth), one can take it out of this mode and return it to normal usage.

I don’t know where you live, but where I live, I think we have a very good police force. But I would have absolutely no expectation of them getting actively involved in the tracker sleuthing of petty theft.

Depends on the country. Switzerland will. I suspect Japan will too

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

#303

Post by trillic »

chrisfinazzo wrote: post #275
wmeredith wrote: post #149

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think the point is to make the smallest unit of functionality possible and then people can integrate that into their use case using attachments, casings, etc. in a way they see fit. It's a good approach for this product in my opinion.

This might also explain why the first party luggage loop accessory seems to have been (unfortunately) memory-holed. I think third parties still sell them out of excess inventory, but they've been harder to come by in recent times. My current carry-on doesn't have large enough attachment points to easily accommodate the Apple leather case's keyring, so an updated loop would have been welcome.

Mine is duct taped inside the inner liner of the carryon that has a small zipper for cleaning.

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

#304

Post by renewiltord »

ahmeneeroe-v2 wrote: post #289
plingamp wrote: post #194

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My car got broken into in Oakland, California. Multiple pieces of luggage stolen (yes, my fault for leaving it in the car in the first place). Luckily I had an AirTag that showed the exact location of the stolen items. I called the police but they said they couldn't do anything. Apparently, even if I had the location the thief would have to invite them in. Regardless, I was put on a waiting list, they finally called…

It's not your fault for leaving your property in your car. Wild to say that.

I imagine they see it the way I do: the SF Bay Area has thieves like this because it's part of local native culture. You get the good with the bad. Sort of like going to the elephant graveyard and being eaten by hyena pack. Sure, it's not your fault for walking around graveyard and getting eaten by hyena. But this is where hyena is. I have lost (and sometimes recovered) many items to these hyena. Ultimately, they are not people or anything. They're like hyena. You don't say it is fault of hyena. It is animal and local culture is animal lover. Why stress about it? Like many, GP decided that he leave hyena here and go elsewhere where it is people and not animal.

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

#305

Post by blazarquasar »

tshaddox wrote: post #288

It sounds like the external dimensions are going to be exactly the same or nearly so. I'm hoping the battery compartment is also identical so that third-party mounting and extended battery packs continue to work. I recently picked up a few of these extended battery packs and it would be nice to eventually upgrade the AirTag if the extended range turns out to be meaningful. They're pretty neat, you remove the battery…

Their description does say “Works with AirTag generation 1 & 2.” Thanks for putting me on to these. Really clever products. I always feel stupid with my airtag dangling off of my camera.

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

#306

Post by Scoundreller »

jerlam wrote: post #238
etchalon wrote: post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks for explanation. I had absolutely no awareness GPS jamming was a thing, let alone at scale.

The United States (who created and operates GPS) also has the ability to make civilian GPS receivers in a specific area or region area less accurate, in case of war. I would assume that other countries' systems (Russia, China, maybe not EU) also have this ability. GPS was primarily developed as a military technology. It was intentionally inaccurate for all civilians up until the year 2000.

Most of the time people say “GPS” they really mean any of the several GNSS systems, which also include: GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, and BeiDou

While they’re all susceptible to jamming, one system getting shutdown by its operator means most modern devices can shift to the others for most applications. Not unusual for consumer devices to support multiple (but dunno how they handle disagreements)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_navigation_device

https://www.xda-developers.com/apple-iphone-14-gps-support/#...

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

#307

Post by [deleted] »

ryandrake wrote: post #298
GuinansEyebrows wrote: post #294

Earlier quoted context omitted.

yeah, this is kind of a definitional example of pedantry. you probably understand what people are trying to say when they talk about "chemicals" but instead of engaging with the actual conversation, you spin off a metanarrative to pick apart the word choice as if that's directly relevant to the point they're trying to discuss. not trying to pick on you specifically, because sure everything's a chemical, and i don't r…

"Chemical" is just a really, really vague and poor word choice. I honestly don't understand what people are trying to say when they use it. Food and chemistry are inextricably intertwined. You can't even talk about food without talking about all of the various components food is made up of. Not a single food item out there isn't made up of chemicals. Some found in nature, some created in a lab or factory process. Som…

[deleted]

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

#308

Post by storus »

So they made it impossible to remove speaker, destroying its usability as a theft tracking device. One could add an airtag with a removed speaker on a bike/scooter/car and then localize it in case of theft. With the new airtag any thief will be quickly notified they are tracked.

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

#309

Post by jeffbee »

varispeed wrote: post #282
helloguillecl wrote: post #99

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 called the Zurich Police and, as the thief kept moving, I told them where he was. Twenty minutes later I received a call from the police informing me that they had found my suitcase with my belongings, matching the description I had given. So refreshing to hear. Here in the UK the police would be annoyed by your call and at best would give you crime ref number (usually after mentioning that you will file a compla…

I had a camera stolen on a Zürich streetcar and when I reported it to the police they acted like it was the first crime that had ever been reported in the canton, a very serious matter indeed.

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

#310

Post by josephg »

I wish they made airtags in different form factors.

I've gotten into photography lately. I'd love to slip an airtag into more places - ideally within the housing of my camera bodies themselves. But, there's not really any room to put an airtag on or in a camera given the current airtag form factor.

You can get camera cages with secret compartments for airtags. And lens caps which take an airtag. But they take up a lot of space, and end up adding a lot of bulk to the camera itself. I wish Apple opened airtags up to 3rd party manufacturers who could buy the (tiny) circuit board directly, so they could hide it in their products better.

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