The rumors were true. At their highly-anticipated “Spring Loaded” event on April 20, Apple finally unveiled a smart tracker. Dubbed the AirTag, Apple’s Tile competitor boasts slick styling and intuitive ease-of-use that are consistent with the brand’s typical offerings.
The AirTags work with Apple’s Find My app and global network, can be attached to virtually any item you’d like to track, and can be engraved with your own design for free. AirTag uses what Apple is calling “Precision Finding” to locate your lost item. The tech combines input from your iPhone’s camera, ARKit, accelerometer, and gyroscope to guide you to AirTag’s location using a combination of sound, haptics, and visual feedback. And in line with Apple’s current strategy, AirTag has a large focus on privacy, with no location data stored on the device and all communication with the Find My network is encrypted end-to-end. The AirTag itself is made of precision-etched polished stainless steel, is IP67 water- and dust-resistant, and is available on optional polyurethane or leather loops. Or, if you’re feeling fancy, there’s also a series of Hermès-branded AirTags that come on a variety of handcrafted leather goods. The Apple AirTag is priced at $29 for one or $99 for a four-pack, while the loops, Hermès AirTag, and other accessories cost extra. Pre-orders begin on April 23, with the products hitting stores on April 30.
