Apple has officially revealed a long-anticipated iPhone accessory called AirTag. A small and elegantly designed accessory. Enabling you to securely locate and keep track of items. Such as keys, bag, wallet, and more. Priced from just A$45 each, available from Friday 30th April.
AirTag itself is a small, lightweight circular device made with polished stainless steel. Built-in is a speaker for sound and has an IP64 rating, making it resistant to dust and water.
Every AirTag is powered by a small user-replaceable battery. But replacing the battery should only have to be done once a year, with Apple confirming a battery life of around a year.
Personalising AirTag is also going to be possible in a variety of ways. From free engraving via Apple’s online store to using a range of compatible AirTag accessories. Already Apple has started selling a range of polyurethane and leather loops, including a leather key ring.
How they work
AirTags are designed to be placed within or on items that are valuable to you. For example, a set of keys, wallet, bag, or other items.
Once placed on they show up on your iPhone within the ‘Find my’ app. It is there where you can see where your item is located on a map. The location of the item can be narrowed down by tapping for it to play a sound. And iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 users can even get a more precise location of its whereabouts thanks to a combination of technologies enabling a directionally aware experience.
The ‘Find my’ app can display the location of AirTags by using Bluetooth technology. But if you are separated from your lost from quite a distance, AirTags will then use the Find My network.
Find My network is made up of a billion Apple devices that can relay the location of an AirTag back to its original owner. And is done so in a way that is private and anonymously. Another person will never see the location of your AirTag.
In the event someone else finds your AirTag, they can tap it using their iPhone. They will then be taken to a website where they can contact a phone number. But only if the original owner has supplied that number.
Privacy
Apple has created AirTags with privacy and security in mind. In fact:
- No location data or location history is stored within AirTag
- No one, including Apple, knows the location of any device that helps AirTags be found
- Communication with the Find My network is encrypted
- Only the original owner has access to its location
Pricing and Availability
AirTags will be available for order in Australia from 10 pm AEST on Friday, April 23rd. And will be available in Apple stores, Apple online, Authorised Resellers, and select carriers from Friday, April 30th.
Pricing starts from a recommended retail price of A$45 per AirTag. There is also a four-pack available at a recommended retail price of A$149.
Apple-designed AirTag accessories include the Leather Key Ring in Saddle Brown, (PRODUCT)RED, and Baltic Blue for RRP A$55; the Leather Loop in Saddle Brown and (PRODUCT)RED for RRP A$59; and the Polyurethane Loop in White, Deep Navy, Sunflower, and Electric Orange for RRP A$45.
All purchases from Apple include fast, free delivery and 14-day returns.
