Are these Apple’s all-new AirTags?
More information concerning the Find My compatible Apple AirTags system has leaked
Leaked images purport to depict the operating instructions for Apple’s long expected AirTags product, a tracking system that works with iPhones.
What are AirTags?
Often described as “Tile competitors”, AirTags are small, low power devices that work with Apple’s Find My system. It is thought they will enable people to find lost and stolen items easily using that system.
What Apple says about Find My
As reported here, Apple states:
“The Find My network is a crowdsourced network of hundreds of millions of Apple devices that can help users locate a missing iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and soon, third-party Find My network-enabled accessories, using the Find My app.”
What do they do?
It is thought AirTags use a similar tech to that used in Google/Apple’s contact tracking system.
They rely on secured Bluetooth transmissions that turn Apple’s iOS devices into a form of location detection network. The idea is that the location of lost devices can be obtained by someone so long as they log into the system using their approved Apple ID.
No private information is otherwise shared.
Here is a guide on charging AirTagls supposedly sent by Apple for print tests before mass production. AirPower is back? This is different to leaks saying a swappable coin battery would be used 🤔
Source: direct // Leaks by Caleb Lin pic.twitter.com/AbC4Foj01N
— Leaks (@caleblin_apple) September 5, 2020
What features do they have?
According to the latest images, they can be charged up wirelessly (like an Apple Watch), and are small enough to be attached to a keyring, or hidden inside your car.
It is not clear if AirTags will work in cars, so vehicle GPS systems may remain the best choice for tracking them.
It is also not currently clear how much battery life you will enjoy from a single charge.
Here is a diagram from the quick start showing how to attach AirTag to a keychain. Apologies for the blur.
According to the source the accompanying text says to use the "rubber loop", suggesting that this diagram is possibly a placeholder (or a loop just wasn't shown) pic.twitter.com/ci6zhxpCcG
— Leaks (@caleblin_apple) September 5, 2020
Is it open to all?
Apple is opening its Find My Network technology up to third party makers with a range of APIs and specifications which are available here.
It now seems likely we’ll learn more about these things very soon.
It also feels possible they’ll look a little like these:
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