Apple’s AirTags personal item trackers have been working for a long time (first discovered by 9to5Mac in April 2019). Dated September 2019, Tile seemed concerned about the next product. Now, the news has leaked that Tile is working on a version of its popular ultra-broadband (UWB) tracker instead of just Bluetooth. Maybe you could even beat Apple AirTags on the market?
Discovered by TechCrunch, Tile is reportedly preparing to launch the new UWB-based personal item tracker “this year”. Notably, we just saw a report by Kuo saying that Apple will finally do the same with AirTags this year.
Until now, Tile’s trackers have worked via Bluetooth, which has some limitations and, of course, doesn’t work in long range (so Tile uses a community approach to this). The UWB that is integrated in the recent lines of Apple’s iPhone 11 and 12 and will work with AirTags and the new Tile tracker goes beyond Bluetooth and can record directional / spatial data that can offer an enhanced experience for finding lost items.
TC got the first internal concepts about what the nex-gen tracker looks like (shown above):
Based on Tile’s internal conceptual art for the device (shown below), Tile’s UWB model will be similar to its other small trackers, such as Tile Mate and Tile Pro. It will also have a square shape, center button and back flat to support being assembled with an adhesive. And, like other tile dongles, it can be attached to a key ring.
Another aspect will include an AR camera view to help customers find their lost items (as well as AirTags):
The Tile application, in turn, will allow users to access an AR-enabled camera view that will help guide them to the item’s location using overlays, such as directional arrows and an AR view of the item’s location.
No word yet on when this year we can see Tile launch the new UWB tracker, but it should arrive with support for iOS and Android.
Interestingly, third-party accessories can be integrated into the Find My app with iOS 14, so Tile could be working with Apple on this, despite some difficult patches between the two.
9to5Mac found evidence in iOS 14.3 code that support for item tracker in the Find My app may require UWB. If so, it could mean that use will be limited to iPhone 11 and 12 users (in the Find My app). It is possible for Tile to include UWB and Bluetooth to support many devices through the Tile application.
One thing is for sure, it will be fun to see innovation in the personal items tracker market this year! For reference, Tile Pro with removable battery costs about $ 35 or less in a multi-pack. A UWB block tracker is likely to be more expensive or at the same stadium. And Apple could position AirTags at an even higher price, but that is not known at this time.
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