I’m not often jealous of inanimate objects, but I was able to enjoy an extra day in Paris with my rolling suitcase while I waited in baggage claim at the Seattle airport. As everyone else watched their bags appear on the merry-go-round, I already knew mine wasn’t coming. how? I swear I was able to see it on my iPhone because of the very sophisticated tracking devices currently on sale. $73 for 4 pack Black Friday sale on.
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Just a few years ago, this would have seemed like something out of a spy movie. The Apple AirTag in my suitcase uses an ingenious way to track itself, detecting its location from a nearby iPhone and using it to anonymously piggyback its coordinates to a secure server. You can then look up its coordinates on your iPhone.
Instead of wondering if my belongings are scattered on the tarmac or stuck in an abandoned baggage cart, my suitcase is actually still cold at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport. This was realized almost in real time. I was able to calmly tell the airline that my bag missed my flight and they arranged for it to be delivered to me a few days later.
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Apple AirTag is all about peace of mind
The AirTag itself isn’t much of a deal. A 1.26-inch smooth round pack that looks like a glossy white breath mint and can sink to the bottom of your bag or hang from your keychain (compatible keyrings sold separately). It’s supposed to disappear.
Activating the AirTag was a simple process of pairing it with my iPhone. And since that’s obviously not really the case, do I forgot whatever I took out of the box.
But what if you can’t find your keys next time? Magic. My iPhone not only let me know they were somewhere nearby, but also guided me directly to them thanks to the AirTag’s built-in ultra-wideband chip. All the time I spent retracing my footsteps and flipping over couch cushions suddenly felt like ancient history.
I now have AirTags on and off all the important items I want to track. These include my everyday laptop bag, my camera backpack, my travel suitcase, my key chain, my car, and the small sling bag I carry around with me. Taking a walk. Launch the Find My app on any of your Apple devices (or sign in to iCloud in a web browser) to see where your items are and the last time AirTags registered their location.
Clip the AirTag to your bag or bury it deep inside.
AirTags are not just for everyday items. According to the movie people I know, AirTags are thrown into almost every bag and Pelican box. This is not only to ensure that the valuable equipment inside is not removed, but also to quickly differentiate equipment among similar-looking containers. Some of my friends attach AirTags to their pets’ collars (though some experts say there are better ways to track pets).
AirTags are also useful for things you want to keep nearby
Indeed, it was reassuring to be able to detect my luggage a continent away. But on a local level, your AirTag will trigger an alert if you move too far away from it. For example, if you stop somewhere for lunch and accidentally leave your camera bag in your car, you’ll get a Find Me notification to let you know what you’ve left behind. Newer AirPods models work as well.
Sharing is now a big part of AirTag tracking
My family has two cars, and I found it inconvenient to pair the AirTag in my wife’s car to my iPhone (and the AirTag in my car to my iPhone). ).
To prevent unwanted tracking, AirTag notifies nearby iPhones of its presence. So every time I drove my wife’s car without her in it, I got a notification that the AirTag was traveling with me. (If the owner is near the AirTag, the alert will not appear.)
However, as of iOS 17, AirTags are shareable. I shared my AirTag with her and she shared it with me, so no matter what car I’m driving, I can easily find her in a crowded parking lot.
Share your AirTag location with people you trust.
New features coming to AirTags iOS 18.2, currently in betaa feature that allows you to temporarily share AirTag location information with someone you trust. In the baggage example above, if my suitcase was at the airport with me, but the airport staff couldn’t find it yet (which is not uncommon during peak travel times), the attendant could retrieve it immediately. and its location. It is an area that is not accessible to the general public.
Only minor complaint about AirTags
The AirTag includes Bluetooth, a U1 Ultra Wideband chip, and an NFC chip to share basic details when in Lost Mode. These are all powered by CR2032 coin-cell batteries, which in my experience last about a year before needing replacement.
You’ll get a notification when the battery starts to run low, but there’s no gauge to see how much charge is left until it’s in the red. And battery replacement is easy. However, I only have a small number of AirTags, so I have to replace multiple AirTags every year. I buy it in a pack of 20. We will work on it slowly.
The AirTag’s CR2032 battery is easy to replace.
Why AirTags are the perfect gift
Apple AirTags are always featured in best gift guides. The reason is that you can always find another use for it. Prices are often lower when sold in 4-packs. And the ecosystem of ways to attach them continues to grow, from sturdy vaults that stick to your car to individual fabric holders that keep your favorite classic bomber jacket from flying off.
For even more Cyber Week deals, here are our favorites Black Friday Sale Under $50. In fact, I think it’s time to peruse all of the best Black Friday deals and CNET’s picks for the best AirTag accessories of 2024 for even more AirTag-attached items.
