Apple AirTag Upgrades: Extended Range & Louder Speaker
▼ Summary
– Apple has released a new AirTag with an upgraded ultra wideband chip for more precise location tracking, priced at $29 for one or $99 for a four-pack.
– The new chip enables the Precision Finding feature, which uses haptic, visual, and audio feedback to guide users to items from up to 50 percent farther away.
– Additional hardware improvements include a speaker that is 50 percent louder and a Bluetooth chip that expands the location-finding range.
– The AirTag is compatible with all existing accessories and its Find My network communication is secured with end-to-end encryption, with no location history stored on the device.
– Apple includes anti-stalking protections like cross-platform alerts and frequently changing Bluetooth identifiers, following a 2023 partnership with Google on an industry standard.
Apple has unveiled a next-generation AirTag, integrating its latest ultra wideband chip to deliver significantly enhanced location tracking capabilities. Priced identically to its predecessor at $29 for a single unit or $99 for a four-pack, the upgraded tracker leverages the new chip to power the Precision Finding feature with a range extended by up to 50 percent. This system provides users with precise haptic, visual, and audio guidance to locate misplaced items from a much greater distance.
Beyond the improved spatial awareness, the device now features a speaker system that is reportedly 50 percent louder, making it easier to hear in noisy environments. A refreshed Bluetooth chip also contributes by expanding the operational range at which items can be detected. Notably, the Precision Finding functionality is no longer limited to iPhones; it is now accessible directly from an Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2, or later models running the required watchOS update.
For current users, the transition is seamless. All existing AirTag accessories remain fully compatible with the new model. Apple continues to emphasize its commitment to privacy and security within the Find My network. The company clarifies that no location data or history is physically stored on the AirTag itself, and all communications are protected by end-to-end encryption.
Additional safeguards against unwanted tracking are built in, featuring cross-platform alert systems and Bluetooth identifiers that change frequently to prevent stalking. This approach aligns with the industry-wide initiative Apple co-developed with Google, establishing a new standard to mitigate risks associated with Bluetooth tracking devices. The updated AirTag represents a meaningful step forward, offering greater utility and louder alerts while maintaining the ecosystem’s strong privacy protections.
(Source: The Verge)
