Design & Connectivity

What seems to be probably one of the longest awaited products in the Apple timeline is finally here. This is AirTags, Apple's answer to its competitors of the lost item tracker market. Though its Apple's first time, they did so excellently leveraging their own IOS user base. How so you may ask? Let's dive in to the design. First, an AirTag has a plastic white face on one side and a gloss silver finish on the other. The back is where you will see the Apple logo and where you can twist to replace the CR2032 battery inside. In the package, the battery is included and is said to last up to 1 year of use. AirTags are small, lightweight and IP67 water and dust resistant. However, in my time using it, I found that it scratches way too easily and cosmetically damaged the clean look of the AirTag. This situation is not helped even if the AirTag is being placed in a case unless the case offers total protection. AirTag features the same setup experience as AirPods — just bring AirTag close to iPhone and it will connect. Users can assign AirTag to an item and name it with a default like “Keys” or “Jacket,” or provide a custom name. When purchasing the AirTags, you can buy one or 4 in a multi-pack and it comes with free engraving, including text and a selection of 31 emoji. Now, AirTags can be easily placed into a bag or in a pocket on its own, or utilise a wide range of accessories, including the Polyurethane Loop, which is both lightweight and durable, and the Leather Loop or Key Ring with specially tanned European leather. The enclosure of each accessory fits securely around AirTag, while conveniently attaching to a user’s belongings, further personalising AirTag. If you are looking for a branded alternative, Apple has collaborated with Hermès to bring a Bag Charm, Key Ring, Travel Tag, and Luggage Tag.

​

Performance

Moving onto performance, when a new AirTag is set up, it will appear in the new Items tab in the Find My app, where you can view the item’s current or last known location on a map. If you misplaces the item and it is within Bluetooth range, you can use the Find My app to play a sound from the AirTag to help locate it. Users can also ask Siri to find their item, and AirTag will play a sound if it is nearby. AirTags are equipped with the U1 chip that uses the Ultra Wideband technology to enable Precision Finding for iPhone 11 and 12 users. This can more accurately determine the distance and direction to a lost AirTag when it is in range. When you moves into range, it uses input from the camera, accelerometer, and gyroscope to guide you to the AirTag with sound, haptics, and visual feedback. Now, what happens when an AirTag is separated from its owner and out of Bluetooth range? The Find My network can help track it down with over a billion Apple devices and can detect Bluetooth signals from a lost AirTag and relay the location back to its owner anonymously. You simply only need to place AirTag into Lost Mode and you will soon be notified when it is in range or when it has been located by other iPhone users. If a lost AirTag is found by someone, they can tap it using their iPhone or any NFC-capable device and be taken to a website that will display your contact info to easily return the item to you. So you may be concerned about location data or history. But Apple has committed itself to make communication in the Find My network is end-to-end encrypted so that only you have access to its data. Now, can you track someone using an AirTag? The answer is no. IOS devices that have detect an AirTag that isn’t with its owner, and notify the user if an unknown AirTag is seen to be travelling with them from place to place over time. And even if users don’t have an iOS device, an AirTag separated from its owner for an extended period of time will play a sound when moved to draw attention to it. If a user detects an unknown AirTag, they can tap it with their iPhone or NFC-capable device and instructions will guide them to disable the unknown AirTag.

​

PROS​

• Clean and Modern Design

• Long Battery Life

• Easily Replaceable Battery

• Loud Speakers

• Intuitive Precision Finding

• Wide Network of Tracking

• IP67 Water and Dust-resistance

• Privacy Protection

• Find My Tracking

• Apple Ecosystem Integration

 

CONS​​​​

• Easily Scratch-able

• Single Colour Available

 

The Bottom Line

AirTags were a very successful launch for Apple's first foray into the saturated market of trackers. Leveraging its wide IOS user base, Precision Findings, Privacy as well as IP67 water and dust-resistance, it makes AirTags worthy of its price.