Does Find My’s ToS require your device to relay any AirTag’s data?
You really think Apple would release a new product and forget to update the ToS to allow it? :D
No. Asking if there’s a way to opt-out.
Apple Introduces AirTag
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Re: Apple Introduces AirTag
#832Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Any trackers will be quickly rendered useless once they're in the van You can build a custom LoRa based tracker with 100+km range (line of sight), a van won't disable that. You'll have to use signal triangulation, though, because GPS reception in a van won't be great.
Any recommended further reading on the LoRa solution?
The easiest way to implement that would be using a Crossfire Diversity Nano receiver [1] with a backup battery. It supports GPS out of the box, directly connectable to the receiver.
For a custom solution, ExpressLRS [2] is an open source system that can be flashed to FrSky R9mm receivers that you can hack on to add features you want. Or buy Semtech [3] and ESP32 modules and build your own hardware to maximize transmit power (standard hobby receivers only have 25-40mW telemetry)
PS. TTGO LORA32 modules [4] already have ESP32 and Semtech module assembled, only need flashing (again, lower power than a dedicated 30dbm module)
[1] https://www.team-blacksheep.com/products/prod:xf_nano_div_rx
[2] https://github.com/ExpressLRS/ExpressLRS
Re: Apple Introduces AirTag
#833Earlier quoted context omitted.
Didn't expect user replaceable commodity batteries from Apple. That's nice.
It is ridiculous that something as basic as having a user replaceable battery is considered an unexpected nice feature.
finally a smart comment. (I never see a company as a friend, companies do not perform acts of kindness, they only seek to grow their profits (except in very rare cases))
There is so much innovation in science that it never materializes because it is not commercially viable for companies.
Re: Apple Introduces AirTag
#834Wouldn’t it be cool if there was a way for this system to run scripts when certain events happen? Maybe send webhooks?
The Shortcuts app can already hook into Find My, adding an event for "item found" is not a big thing for Apple to add.
I think there are a lot more events that could be useful.
Imagine you are travelling with lots of bags, maybe you are on a photo shoot or you are a roadie travelling with a band.
- bag goes out of range - bag back in range - bag motionless - bag moving at more than 20 km/hour
That sort of thing.
You could build some cool apps for moving with stuff efficiently. Assign items to people on the fly, maybe a Siri type interface.
Re: Apple Introduces AirTag
#835Earlier quoted context omitted.
I do think it couldn't have happened without Apple doing it first from the big manufacturers. Apple had (and still have) the status and prestige to do anything and make that a standard. If Huawei/Samsung/etc didn't include chargers, didn't use USB or USB C, changed from 3.5 to some proprietary audio jack first, they would have been ridiculed. But once Apple changed these things (except luckily the USB), these compani…
As someone who has mostly had android phones (but not now), I watched the wireless charging thing unfold in a hilarious way. A bunch of android phones had wireless charging years ago, including one of the nexus devices IIRC. Great! I'll buy a couple of wireless charging pucks and use them. No more flakey USB ports that give up before the phone does. Apple didn't pick it up. Android phones all dropped the feature. App…
Afaik Samsung phones had wireless charging since 2016 and kept that, didn't they? I'm an iPhone guy, but my colleagues were using wireless chargers around that time.
Re: Apple Introduces AirTag
#836While I appreciate the anti stalking feature I'm not sure it would be compatible with a common use case: suppose I attach one to my backpack because I want to be able to track it in case I loose it. Fine.
But... at this point I either always bring the backpack with me whenever I leaver my home or it will start buzzing as soon as I'm far away.
Re: Apple Introduces AirTag
#837Earlier quoted context omitted.
In Australia roughly 20 kids per week present to emergency having swallowed or inserted a button battery and in several cases many have tragically died. It is an agonising death over a period of days/weeks for the child and horrible for the parents to witness. Many times both the parents and medical professionals don't realise what is actually happening to the child until it is too late. There is growing support for…
I wonder if (and I wish) battery producers could use the same "coating" as the Nintendo Switch cartridges. They taste disgusting and greatly reduce the risk of having a child swallowing them.
They already do on some. I bought a pack of 2032s (Duracell maybe?) a few weeks back that had the coating.
Re: Apple Introduces AirTag
#838Earlier quoted context omitted.
What, no. It literally shows the device on the map moving from ping to ping in san francisco on the airtags website.
What are the odds your pet will be within range of an iOS device? Perhaps intermittently if in a busy urban environment, quickly heading to nil if in a more rural area.
The alternative is none, so I'd rather take the chance.
Re: Apple Introduces AirTag
#839While I appreciate the anti stalking feature I'm not sure it would be compatible with a common use case: suppose I attach one to my backpack because I want to be able to track it in case I loose it. Fine. But... at this point I either always bring the backpack with me whenever I leaver my home or it will start buzzing as soon as I'm far away.
I'm pretty sure they allow you to define safe areas where you can leave things without the lost indicator firing.
Re: Apple Introduces AirTag
#840Earlier quoted context omitted.
I'm happy that it's user-replaceable ... $100 for 4 of them sets you back a good amount... especially if you would have otherwise had to toss them after their internal batteries died
Given that the target market is "Apple customers", I don't think $25/year/device is much of a burden. Regardless, though, I don't like the idea of a device that's designed to be landfilled every year; replaceable batteries are the right way to go here.
$100/4 isn't going to be a burden for most apple customers if they're just putting them on their keys, wallets, handbags, etc. But the endgame for these sorts of devices is longer lifetimes and slapping them on everything you might conceivable care about losing, which will only become practical once they hit prices below $1. Maybe something based on semi-passive RFID?