Say Hello to AirTags, the Newest Innovation from Apple!

Apple continues to be a leader in producing the latest technology. Their “Spring Loaded”  online event on April 20th did not disappoint, where they unveiled some new and exciting gadgets! 

I highly recommend watching this outstanding presentation from Apple.

Out of their newest line, I am particularly excited about one product, AirTags, which for me has been more than two years of anticipation. It was finally launched on April 30 of this year. Now you can track and locate valuable items like car keys, backpacks, and of course baggage, at all times!

What are AirTags? How do they work?

AirTags are small, bottle-cap-sized tracking devices that attach to your belongings such as bags, keys, luggage, etc. This tiny little 8mm thick tracking gadget genius is made from high-quality white plastic and polished stainless steel. It has the high-end look and feel of any other Apple product. With a built-in speaker and Bluetooth wireless technology, it comes with a replaceable battery that lasts up to one year. And if that weren’t enough, the tags are also IP67 rated, meaning they are water- and dust-resistant, so bad weather is not a deal breaker! 

You can find more details about AirTags here.

AirTags link in with Apple’s ‘Find My Network’, which is used to locate lost or stolen devices such as iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, and more! This network is vast and far-reaching because it uses all Apple devices (around 1 billion) to create this amazing network technology. AirTags will allow you to leverage this secure and private network to keep track of any of your belongings. If you have a U1 chip in your iPhone (iPhone 11 and 12), you will be able to use the network’s Precision Finding tracking system which is outstandingly accurate. 

It uses animation, haptic feedback, and audio to navigate the location of the lost item. Thanks to built-in accessibility features in Apple devices, visually impaired users can use the VoiceOver feature to find lost items. It will even tell users how far away their item is. Have an older iPhone? Not to worry! Users with old iPhone models can still enjoy AirTags, just without Precision Finding. They can simply use the built-in speaker to find their items. No matter what iPhone you have, you will still be able to use the Find My Network feature to locate your stolen or forgotten items. 

Pairing your AirTag to your iPhone is easy. You will be given an option to name it; for example, “keys” or “backpack.” This is a great way to separate your tags. What’s more, naming your item also enables another of Apple’s great features: you can ask Siri to find your keys by saying, “Hi Siri, find my keys.” Siri will then trigger the AirTags sound, and voila! Finding your items has never been easier. No more searching the house for your keys when you’ve forgotten where you put them!

Read here to learn more about the Find My network. 

Who should purchase AirTags?

This new engineering marvel is highly recommended to anyone who would like to track, find, and recover their lost or stolen items. This new tracking device provides extra insurance for your travel luggage, so for any traveller, I would 100% recommend this new product. You could even attach an AirTag to your most valuable traveling document, your passport! 

Although an AirTag is a relatively thick 8mm, eventually you will have the option to purchase accessories that would allow you to attach these tags to your passport. But for now, they would fit perfectly in your purse or passport holder. I myself would not mind carrying around a thicker passport because I love the idea that I can find my passport in short order if I forgot it somewhere. I’ve lost count of how many times this has happened to me, and I think this is the perfect new gadget for stress-free travel!

Apple’s security and privacy statement

With the launch of this new tracking device from Apple, people are naturally concerned about privacy and security, Apple has reassured us that the AirTags will not be used to track other people. They did set up a few security protocols so that no one can use AirTags for this purpose. You can read more about security and privacy here.

But wait! Is it still possible to abuse AirTags for malicious intent?

Even though Apple claims to have very high-level security protocols, I think that someone could still abuse AirTags if they set their mind to it. If you are an iPhone user, you are protected from this potential malicious tracking, because your iPhone will notify you if someone’s AirTags are following you. If this happens, you can locate the AirTag and actually deactivate it, but this brings another problem to the table! If someone steals your bag and they are an iPhone user, they can simply deactivate your tag and get away with your precious belongings. Then there is the issue of someone who is not an iPhone user, but uses an Android mobile phone – is there any way to protect the privacy of these people? These are some serious security and privacy questions for Apple, and we hope they will give satisfying answers. Industry leader and tech YouTuber, Daniel from ZONEofTECH, is also raising these security concerns. I recommend listening to what he has to say. Having said that, I do trust that Apple will figure this out sooner rather than later!

Okay, so let's talk price and customization 

Since Apple is known for its premium and high-value products, the anticipated price of AirTag was upwards of $40. But Apple surprised us this time! Right now, one AirTag costs only $29, and а bundle of four will set you back a mere $99 (that’s only $24.75 per AirTag!) Now that is a great deal! 

Apple also allows you to customize your tags, free of charge. If you order them from apple.com, you have the option to engrave your tag with a selection of many different emojis. You also can choose your own letter or number combination with a maximum of fоur symbols. Note that Apple will not allow you to engrave anything controversial or inappropriate. 

Another way to make your AirTags your own is by purchasing customised accessories for them. From Apple’s online store, you can purchase an AirTag loop, AirTag Leather loop, AirTag Leather Key Ring, and AirTag Leather Luggage Tag. Additionally, many other third-party companies, such as Belkin, are selling accessories for AirTags! 

My Conclusions and recommendations

I will definitely buy this product and attach these tags to all of my baggage. As one of my most important hobbies, I was able to start traveling again, and I will secure my travel luggage with an AirTag, just to have peace of mind! But don’t take my word for it (or Apple’s, for that matter), you should also listen to other people who have used them. Have a listen to these well-known tech bloggers/channels and see what they have to say about AirTags: 

Marques Brownlee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehv3zQAa9zM

CNET https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-qHrr-tW9Y

ZONEofTECH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYAtAdiQSgA

So there you have it – I have given you my thoughts on AirTags; now I would love to hear your comments and opinions about them, as well!