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Apple Introduces AirTag

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Re: Apple Introduces AirTag

#551
post #475

Once I started using Tile it became impossible for me to remember where I put my keys. There just wasn't any pressure to stay organized since the beeping would always save me. But whenever the battery was out or the Bluetooth wasn't connecting oh boy. Same kind of thing happened with GPS. I used to pay more attention to maps and really learned streets but now I just expect the phone to solve everything for me. I'm lo…

I wouldn't be able to hunt my own mammoth, and I know that I suck at making fire with primitive tools (I tried and failed). I've learned to appreciate the benefits of a modern society, and I'm ok being pretty screwed if it all magically disappeared without a trace. We adapt, and that's a good thing.

Specifically with learning street names and layouts, a big benefit goes hand in hand with using GPS imo: when I start directions to a new place, I can quickly glance at the map and pretty much know what I need to do for most of the trip. This saves me from having to constantly eye my phone or making split second lane changes because Google waits till you're right at a turn to tell you :S

Re: Apple Introduces AirTag

#552
post #533
post #528

Earlier quoted context omitted.

People are not going to stop using small replaceable batteries.

And kids will continue to die from them, if you want to be that absolute about the topic.

The devices themselves are probably choking hazards for young kids. As are a thousand other things around the house to say nothing of poisons.

Re: Apple Introduces AirTag

#554
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.

If you’re not intimidated by NDAs, devices like this can be built for approx. $15/ea. or less (based on your volume) with a battery option. A CR2032 will yield approx. 6-7 years of life for the tag as long as it’s setup to emit once every 30-60s. I wouldn’t be surprised if Apple’s cost is in $1-2 per device with the battery.

Re: Apple Introduces AirTag

#555
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.

God damn it's like I'm back in 2010 where people praise Apple for doing things other people have already done. Apple did not invent device trackers with replaceable batteries. Tile has been doing that since 2018 on some of their devices (Basically all except the smallest ones), and I imagine someone else did it before then.

> ...people praise Apple for doing things other people have already done.

As Drake once said: "it ain't about who did it first/ It's about who did it right."

Re: Apple Introduces AirTag

#556

This is truly revolutionary for pet owners. All existing solutions I know of have at least one fault-intolerant property that makes them useless for the lost-pet use case (battery / size / unreliable connection coverage / etc.) If I understand correctly Apple tags solve all of these at once.

Looked a bit big to me for a cat, but maybe it's lighter than it looks.

11g says the spec sheet, just shy of the weight of a AAA battery. Maybe too heavy for a small cat?

Re: Apple Introduces AirTag

#557
post #475

Once I started using Tile it became impossible for me to remember where I put my keys. There just wasn't any pressure to stay organized since the beeping would always save me. But whenever the battery was out or the Bluetooth wasn't connecting oh boy. Same kind of thing happened with GPS. I used to pay more attention to maps and really learned streets but now I just expect the phone to solve everything for me. I'm lo…

This kind of thing would be incredible built in to expensive portable electronics. My bf recently lost his very expensive sony earbuds while on holiday and once its not in the hotel room or your bags, its basically gone. The most likely situation is it was at one of the public transport lost item collections but calling up everywhere we had been was too much work. Airtags would have found them most likely.

I can’t wait for an AirTag-enabled AirPods case! I misplace that often.

Re: Apple Introduces AirTag

#558
post #547

Wait, do I understand correctly that my phone is being abused as part of a global botnet for Apple? How do I disable my iPhone being using to relay data?

It's a stretch to say anonymized reporting of nearby lost devices is abuse and part of a botnet, but you can turn off the U1 chip in settings. Privacy > Location Services > System Services > Networking & Wireless

Great, seems like it was already off. Thanks for your quick reply.

Re: Apple Introduces AirTag

#559

The "commercial" they used to introduce this during the event was hilarious and awesome: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbApA2JLZ_c

This is the official trailer, not the lower quality re-upload you posted: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckqvG0Rj35I

Thanks, I don't think this video was available when I posted :)

Re: Apple Introduces AirTag

#560
post #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.

Throwback to that AA battery charger Apple released in 2010 [1].

[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Battery_Charger

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