Yesterday's keynote signified the beginning of new chapters for Apple history. Many others that had been open for a long time have also closed. One of them is the official launch of Apple AirTags, the Big Apple Object Locator that we had been carrying for more than a year. Finally, we already know all the news about this small product that will allow us to keep localized everything we want using the Search ecosystem network and Apple devices. Below we analyze all the characteristics of this small accessory that aims to be a success.
An open secret at last revealed: the characteristics
With the AirTag you can easily know where your things are. Put one in the keys and another in the backpack and you will have them located in the Search app, the same one you use to find your friends and your Apple devices. It is a find, do not miss it.
When we say it was a secret with voices It was that the rumors had been alive since March 2020 when we were in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. They were also expected in the last keynote of last year and for reasons that we still do not know, Apple withdrew the launch of this small product from the planning. Finally, and after a long wait, we already have with us the AirTags.
This small device not much larger than a 2 euro coin is set to be the locator of any object or element that we imagine. In fact, it is up to the manufacturers to develop accessories or elements where to embed the AirTag to locate it. Its small size and versatility allows it to be placed in a large number of places with one clear objective: real-time location.
Apple AirTags carry a standard battery that they claim to last more than a year with use of four sounds and one precision search per day. This data using beta software and current devices. It is likely that the battery can be further optimized in the future with the upcoming update of Apple's systems.
In addition, the device It features IP67 certified water resistance and dust resistance. On the other hand, it integrates a loudspeaker that allows the reproduction of sounds to help the user to find it audibly more easily. The rear part can be disassembled to change the standard battery that it integrates as we have commented previously.
AirTags are compatible with Apple's Search network
AirTags are configured via an iOS or iPadOS device and can be configure with a certain element. That is, we can give each of these little accessories a personalized name. For example: 'Angel Keys' or 'Car Keys'. In this way, Siri can help us find each of these elements without having to enter the Search application.
Have you lost your wallet? The world is not ending. Each AirTag has a built-in speaker and you can make it ring to locate it. Just open the new Items tab in the Find app or say "Hey Siri, where's my wallet?" If it has fallen close, like under the sofa, or is in the next room, you just have to keep track of the sound.
One of the good things about AirTags is be able to integrate into the Search ecosystem and app. It is something that Apple had already anticipated us with iOS 14.5 and the modification of the app Search to add other compatible products on the network. It works in a simple way: All devices compatible with the Search network (iPad, iPod Touch, Mac, iPhone, etc.) generate a network capable of sending data via Bluetooth and from there to iCloud. In this way, an AirTag that we have left on the beach can send signals to nearby iPhones and those iPhones send the information to iCloud and from there to your iPhone with the aim of to be able to find lost objects using the great network of Apple devices spread all over the world.
From Cupertino they assure that this connection is made in encrypted form maintaining the privacy of all elements. All data is anonymous and encrypted. What's more, the process is ultra efficient so that the devices do not consume battery nor consume an excess of data that allows a change in the trend for the user.
Testing the waters with devices: the importance of the U1 chip
El U1 chip it first appeared in the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro. It is an ultra-wide band chip (Ultra Wide Band) that allows spatial detection. Thanks to short distance radio pulses it allows precise chip location thanks to technology based on the latency of the sending, reception and power of the signals sent.
Since then, the iPhone 12 and the latest Apple Watch also integrated this U1 chip. And it is key to the AirTags and the Apple Search network. Why? Because each AirTag has a U1 chip inside it that allows interaction with the iPhone 11 and 12 (in all its models) exchanging information to allow the precise location of the device. In addition, Apple has integrated Precise Search, a system that allows the camera, accelerometer, gyroscope and ARKit kit to be unified in order to help the user to quickly find the AirTag through sounds, haptic sensations and visual feedback.
Provide a ecosystem of devices in which the U1 chip is present it is critical to the perfect AirTag deployment plan. The more devices there are, and the more U1 chip there are in the network itself, the more efficient it is when it comes to finding these little accessories throughout the geography.
Apple AirTag prices and availability
To be able to use the AirTags it is necessary to have one of the following devices with iOS or iPadOS 14.5, Therefore, the entire plan that Apple wants to deploy with the launch of this great update is confirmed:
- iPhone SE
- iPhone 6s or later
- iPod touch (7th generation)
- iPad Pro
- iPad (5th generation or later), Air 2 or later, mini 4 or later
The AirTags Reservations can be started from 14:00 p.m. on Friday, April 23 at the Apple Store Online. There are two ways to buy this small product:
- Batch of an AirTag: $35
- Lot of 4 AirTags: $119
To each of the AirTags that we buy custom emoji or laser initials can be added as in other Apple products. In addition, Apple has the special version Hermes, a collaboration with the French fashion brand:
- Pendant + AirTag: 299 euros
- Luggage tag + AirTag: 449 euros
- Keychain + AirTag: $349
