June 02, 2021

Apple have recently released a new gadget that many people have been asking for for many years. The Apple AirTag is a location-tracking device that you can attach to your personal belongings and keep track of where they are from your Find My app on your iPhone.

This is a game changer as there are many third party devices like this on the market, but Apple have never had their own until now. In this blog we will take a look at the design, use and benefits of the Apple AirTag.

 

Apple AirTag

Design:

The Apple AirTag is a sleek and small circular design that measures 3.19 x 3.19 x 0.8cm and weighs a mere 11g. It is comprised of a circular stainless steel disc which has a removable plastic cover. Under the cover is where you find the long lasting CR2032 battery which is easily replaceable. There is also a built in speaker which you will find under the plastic cover that emits a sound when you are trying to locate the AirTag from your FindMy app. 

The AirTag does not come with any clip built onto it, but you can easily slip it into a bag, wallet or pocket due to its small size! If you want to attach it to your keys, or other similar items, you will need to purchase a silicon or leather loop from Apple, or a third party such as Belkin. 

The Apple AirTag has a IP67 water resistance rating meaning it will survive any accidental contact with water. 

You can also opt to get your AirTag engraved for free by Apple when you purchase one. This allows you to add text, numbers or emojis in order to personalise and distinguish between AirTags if you have multiple. 

One downside of the Apple AirTag is that it is not extremely durable. The are easily scuffed so we suggest purchasing a fob or loop in order to protect your AirTag when purchasing it. 

 

Use:

When you unbox your Apple AirTag, you need to ensure that your device you are connecting it too is running iOS 14.5 or later. If it is not, your device will not find and bring up the 'connect' animation at the bottom of your screen. 

Once you have unboxed your Apple AirTag and removed the battery tag to turn it on, you will be able to connect it to your device. Tap the 'Connect' button that will appear on your device and you will be prompted to name your tracker and then turn on location services for it. 

Follow the prompts and tap 'Continue' to progress forward until your AirTag is registered with you Apple ID. Open your FindMy app and go to 'Items' and then select '+ New Item'. Here you will find that adding an AirTag is the default option. Follow the prompts to add your new AirTag with it placed next to your device. 

Now that your AirTag is set up, you can attach it to anything your want, whether that be your keys, your bike or your bag. If you have lost an item with an AirTag, the process to locating it is simple and quick. 

Firstly, if you think the AirTag is within 200m or so of you, you can simply open your FindMy app and tap on the AirTag you are missing your device page. Tap 'Play Sound' and your device will send a signal via Bluetooth to your AirTag prompting it to emit a sound. This sound is reasonably loud so you should be able to hear it even if it is covered by clothes or a cushion. It takes a moment or two to begin making the sound which then lasts for around seven seconds. 

Another cool feature that applies to those of you who have iPhone 11 or 12 models is Precision Finding. This tells you an approximate distance and direction to your AirTag and will adjust on your screen as you move around. 

Finally, if you have lost your item with an AirTag attached which is somewhere further away, you can change your tracker into 'Lost Mode' the same way you would your iPhone or iPad if you lost it. This can be done on the FindMy app that controls your AirTag which then prompts you to assign a phone number to it. If someone else finds the AirTag and turn on their phone around it, it will prompt them to contact you and then return the AirTag to you. This is perfect if it is attached to your keys or wallet and you are prone to losing them! 

 

Benefits: 

There are many benefits to purchasing some Apple AirTags to attach to your personal items, such as keys, wallets or bags. 

The main benefit is that they do give clear directions to a misplaced or stolen item in order for your to locate and return it. It is the only location tracker on the market that offers on-screen real time directions to its exact location. 

Another benefit is huge battery life. A battery will generally last around a year before you will need to think about replacing it which is exceptional for the amount of work that your AirTag will do tracking its location. You will also be alerted on your iPhone when your AirTag battery is low and needs to be replaced. 

AirTags are also reasonably priced for what they are. Starting at NZD $55 for 1 or NZD $189 for 4, these are affordable and could save you a lot of money and hassle - especially if you are prone to losing things! 

Overall the Apple AirTag is an awesome new gadget released by Apple and has many benefits and not many downsides. It is important to not that you do need to have a device that is capable of running iOS 14.5, so they will not work with older iPhone models and of course any non-Apple product. 

 

Here at DeXTech, we are here to help you with your technology requirements. We stock a wide range of Apple products, from the iPhone 4s all the way through to the iPhone XS, plus the iPad range. Along with this, we carry a huge range of Android smartphones and tablets, including Samsung, Pixel and LG. With these devices on hand we are able to offer technical support every step of the way from assisting to get your device setup to dealing with issues such as network issues or software troubleshooting. We have a helpful team who can lend a hand via our tech support email address: support@dextech.co.nz. Do not hesitate to reach out! 

 



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