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Apple's Tile-like tracking device named 'AirTag' in iOS 13.2

Apple's Find My app is to be extended to include tracking AirTags

Last updated

Code within the new iOS 13.2 release includes the name 'AirTag' for Apple's rumored tracking devices, which are expected to be locatable through the Find My app.

Changes within the latest iOS 13.2 release include a folder whose name appears to say that Apple will call its forthcoming tracking devices "AirTags." The Tile-like devices are intended to help users locate missing items using Apple's Find My app.

The folder within iOS 13.2 is a container for assets including images and videos. While the folder itself is called AirTag1-1-CL-0.devicebundle, the current contents consist solely of item such as HomePod images.

According to 9to5mac, the contents do include a video asset named "BatterySwap." This at least implies that AirTags will have a replaceable battery.

The fact that the folder is included in the current release of iOS 13.2 suggests that AirTags could be coming soon, but it is not proof that they will. Back in September, the usually reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believed they would be released imminently.

The AirTag folder contents within iOS 13.2 (Source: 9to5mac) The AirTag folder contents within iOS 13.2 (Source: 9to5mac)

The new discovery backs up a previous report of iOS code containing a device named "Tag1,1" within a beta of Find My. The name and two-digit suffix fits Apple's typical internal hardware naming scheme.

Previously, it's been speculated that the motion coprocessor in the 2019 iPhone range will be used to help utilize the Tile-like tracker.



31 Comments

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gutengel 7 Years · 363 comments

I wonder how expensive these tiles will be; I bet it'll be a subscription of sorts.

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randominternetperson 8 Years · 3101 comments

gutengel said:
I wonder how expensive these tiles will be; I bet it'll be a subscription of sorts.

Good question.  I doubt the "subscription" part though.

From an earlier AI article we can get a sense of the market price for these types of things:

Tile Stickers run $39.99 for a two-pack and $59.99 for a four-pack. Tile Slim will run $29.99, the Tile Mate comes in at $24.99, while the Tile Pro is $10 more at $34.99. Multi-packs are available as well such as two Tile Stickers, a Tile Slim, and a Tile Mate for $69.99, a four-pack of Pros for $99.99, a four-pack of Mates for $69.99, or two Mates/two Slims for $74.99.

That pricing is about what I'd expect.  Hopefully it will be on the lower end.  Now I just have to figure out what I'd actually want to stick them on.  I always hang my car keys up and carry my phone with me.  My remotes don't sneak off.  Oh, maybe my car?

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AppleExposed 6 Years · 1805 comments

They should integrate this into Maps also. Parents would appreciate seeing their kids walk to school, etc.

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gatorguy 13 Years · 24634 comments

They should integrate this into Maps also. Parents would appreciate seeing their kids walk to school, etc.

Some will like knowing where their "significants" are. :)

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fastasleep 14 Years · 6451 comments

They should integrate this into Maps also. Parents would appreciate seeing their kids walk to school, etc.

Have you never used Find My Friends?