Apple’s AirTag 2 Gets a Chip Upgrade for Easier Finding
▼ Summary
– Apple has released a new version of its AirTag tracking device, which it claims has substantial improvements due to a new Bluetooth chip.
– The original AirTag, released five years ago, faced significant concerns about being misused for unwanted tracking and stalking.
– Apple gradually added new features and protections to address these privacy and safety concerns with the original device.
– The new AirTag’s key upgrade is a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, the same as in recent devices like the iPhone 17.
– This chip enables the Precision Finding feature to work from up to 50 percent farther away, making locating lost items more effective.
Apple has unveiled an updated version of its popular tracking device, now simply called the new AirTag. This iteration promises significant enhancements in locating lost items, primarily driven by a new, more powerful Bluetooth chip. The launch marks the first major hardware refresh for the accessory since its debut five years ago, aiming to address both performance and the privacy concerns that emerged around its use.
The original AirTag quickly found a place in users’ lives for keeping track of keys, bags, and more. However, its success was accompanied by serious reports of the devices being misused for unwanted tracking and stalking. Apple responded to these concerns by rolling out a series of software updates and safety features within its Find My network. These included alerts for unknown AirTags moving with a person and refined sound cues, significantly improving the privacy safeguards around the product.
The core advancement in this new model is its upgraded internals. It incorporates Apple’s second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, identical to the component used in the latest iPhone models. This hardware upgrade directly translates to a more robust finding experience. Apple states that the new AirTag enables Precision Finding to function from up to 50 percent farther away. This means the Find My app on a compatible iPhone can guide a user with directional arrows and precise distance measurements to a missing item from a greater range, making the recovery process faster and more reliable.
While the fundamental design and purpose remain consistent, this chip-level improvement represents a meaningful step forward. The focus is squarely on enhancing the core utility of the device: helping people locate their belongings with greater ease and efficiency than ever before.
(Source: Ars Technica)
