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Apple is rumored to be working on Tile-like Bluetooth trackers that can be used to keep track of items that are often lost, such as keys, wallets, and more.

Hints of the Bluetooth tags have been seen multiple times in prior iOS 13 updates, and iOS 13.2 adds another piece of the puzzle - Apple could call the accessory "AirTags."

apple-item-tag.jpg

The name was spotted in today's iOS 13.2 release by 9to5Mac. A folder in the iOS 13.2 filesystem uses the "AirTag" name. There's also a "BatterySwap" video asset in today's update, which suggests the AirTags will have batteries that can be swapped out.

Multiple rumors have confirmed Apple's work on AirTags, which are expected, based on leaked assets, to be little round circles that can be attached to your items to make them locatable through the Find My app right alongside your Apple devices.

AirTags will connect to iPhones, iPads, Macs, and more via Bluetooth, and will leverage the ultra-wideband U1 chip in the newest iPhones for more precise indoor tracking that's unmatched by competitors.

As we found earlier this year, there will also be an augmented reality component that will let you use your device's camera to pinpoint exactly where a lost item might be. Longer-range tracking will also be available, and AirTags will likely take advantage of the offline crowd-sourced tracking feature that was added in iOS 13.

There is no word on when AirTags will be released, but given that Apple has been adding new details to each beta, there's a possibility that the accessories are coming this year, perhaps even quite soon.

Article Link: Apple's Rumored Tile-Like Bluetooth Tracker May Be Called 'AirTag'
 
Honestly I am stoked that Apple is turning to services revenue because I think they are less inclined to make their products money pits for consumers.
 
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after best iphones , after a proper form over design mac pro , now with iosd13.2 that is the most stable one, with airpods pro, tomorrow with airtag and macbook pro later...Apple you make Christmas better for millions of people
We will see about 13.2 being stable lol
 
My current Tiles are on their last legs as they’re the model that does not have a user replaceable battery so if we see these in the next week or so then I’ll probably be jumping ship.
 
But a replaceable battery in a $3,000 laptop is just a design impossibility.
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Why doesn't Macrumors credit the source for this i.e 9to5mac?

To hell with them. They constantly post articles with "Exclusive" headings that are anything but. Apple released 13.2 to the public with this folder name. There is nothing exclusive about this knowledge.
 
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Man, the reality distortion field is strong. I've looked at Tile products over the years and thought "meh, I don't need that" but when an Apple version comes along I'm like "hmmm, maybe I really do need this".
Haha. Somewhat true. I'm not in the market for any of these tags, but the chance of a tagged item to be found whenever it is near *any iPhone* is a lot better than Tile's chance of being found when near anyone using the Tile app. This is a radical improvement. But I do somewhat agree with what you're saying, too.
 
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