James GordonAirTags are Bluetooth trackers that can be attached to anything, so they’re perfect for school supplies. They have a range of up to 30 feet and send your child’s location back to you in real time.
AirTags Bluetooth trackers are a must-have school supply. They allow parents to monitor their children’s whereabouts and can be used to build trust between parents and children.
CNN —
For college students all across the nation, move-in day is rapidly coming. While a smartphone, tablet, and laptop are all essentials, Apple’s AirTag should be added to your list as well.
So, let’s have a look at why the AirTag is such an important tool for kids.
An excellent item tracker
The tiny item tracker is small enough to fit in a pocket, bag, or keys. AirTags work with Find My on your iPhone (and other Apple devices) to allow you to ping and track it with a single button press.
CNN/Jacob Krol
A single Apple AirTag is pretty darn inexpensive at $29, and it’s the company’s cheapest device. It’s mostly an iPhone attachment, and you’ll need your iPhone to set it up. Its primary function is to locate the object to which it is connected; it will display the position on a map (either live or last reported) and play an audio tone to aid in locating it.
These characteristics, coupled with the AirTag’s dead-simple operation, make it an indispensable tool in everyday life that we wish we’d had in college. We can’t tell you how many times we’ve been locked out of our dorm or unable to eat because we misplaced our keys or ID cards. We would have received a notice from the AirTag if we had left anything behind. It’s very useful and may prevent you from having to go back across campus to get anything you left behind.
And here’s how it works: the AirTag doesn’t have GPS built in. Only Bluetooth, NFC, and ultra-wideband connections, as well as a speaker and a user-replaceable battery, were provided. It will last for almost a year, and when it does, it will be a standard CR2032 battery. Apple’s Find My network, which has over a billion linked devices, is used by the AirTag. This manner, a random iPhone or iPad will detect your AirTag and securely locate it on a map as you move about. Only you or the person whose AirTag is registered has access to that place.
This occurs in the background so that when you open the Find My app, you can immediately view the AirTag on a map. It’s been a really accurate experience in our testing, and in more populated areas like New York City, you’ll receive more regular location updates regarding the AirTag, due to the sheer number of Apple devices that assist locate the AirTag on a map. And our instinct tells us that it’s most suited for a college campus, where we’d expect to see many levels of Find My coverage.
You’ll be able to use Apple’s “Precision Finding” feature if you have an iPhone 11 or newer. The iPhone connects your AirTag to a visually appealing and precise GPS (and, therefore, your item). Essentially, when you walk about, the iPhone vibrates and displays an arrow pointing to the AirTag, along with the distance between you and it. You may even create an audible chime by pinging the AirTag. All of this comes in handy if you’re late for an 8 a.m. class and can’t locate your keys or, worse, your bag.
In terms of privacy, Apple has been working to solve problems that are prevalent with smart trackers. If you leave without an AirTag, you’ll be alerted, which is useful as we’ve already said. However, if someone puts an AirTag on you that is not registered to you, your iPhone (running iOS 14.5 or later) will ultimately notice it and give you a notification. Our CNN Business colleagues have also reported on this.
Apple
The AirTag from Apple is a simple white disc with a gleaming stainless steel rear. With a diameter of around 1.3 inches, it’s very little. That’s a little smaller than a PopSocket, but bigger than a Mento or a checkers piece. It’s straightforward, but unlike a chip placed in a gadget, it’s a visible tracker. That’s a good thing, since the AirTag may serve as a visible barrier to potential thieves.
Although there is no one-size-fits-all method for preventing an item from being stolen, having an item tracker connected may possibly deter someone who is considering stealing your item. And, due to the AirTag’s tracking features, you have a greater chance of retrieving your item if it is stolen. Tile, a third-party tracker, even has a premium subscription that includes some insurance for returning your property (you can read more about that here).
It may be a good idea to conceal an AirTag within the pocket of your backpack or handbag if someone is more likely to notice an AirTag connected and then ditch before running off with your belongings. Because the AirTag doesn’t come with an attachment or even a built-in key ring hole, it’s also the most cost-effective method to connect it to anything.
Although there is no one-size-fits-all method for preventing an item from being stolen, having an item tracker attached or inside may aid in recovery.
Belkin
The design of the AirTag is its Achilles’ heel. Although it is a little white disc, Apple did not provide a small hole or even an attachment in the package. The AirTag and a battery are included in the $29 price. You’ll need an attachment to connect it to a bag or even your keys.
Belkin’s Secure AirTag Holder is one of the better choices, since it clamps around the AirTag and allows you to securely connect it to an object like a bag or backpack. It also comes in a variety of colors to suit your own taste. The total cost of an AirTag plus this holder is just about $43, which isn’t bad. It also offers a significant discount over Apple’s $35 Leather Key Ring or $29 Loop.
While we haven’t tested these lower-cost accessory alternatives, there are literally hundreds of basic silicone, plastic, or rubber AirTag covers available on Amazon. Here are a handful that grabbed our attention and received positive feedback.
- Belongme AirTag Case (Amazon.com; $3.99) — The silicone wrap, a key ring, and a scratch protector are all included in this AirTag case. We’d skip the latter, but for less than $4, you’ll have a way to connect the AirTag to your keys. For $9.99, you can buy a four-pack.
- 2-Pack Arae AirTag Cases ($9.98; amazon.com) — This AirTag Case completely encircles the tracker, providing additional protection against scratches and scuffs. There are also cutouts so that the speaker may still be heard when the button is pressed.
Alternatively, you may tuck the AirTag inside your backpack’s pocket. It’s a bit less secure since it can roll about, but it’ll undoubtedly do the job. We’ll also confess to duct-taping an AirTag to the interior of a bag and even sticking it to a wallet using Scotch tape. It may cause some itchiness, but it has no effect on the tracking skills.
CNN/Jacob Krol
The AirTag’s second flaw, which is to be anticipated, is that it only works with iPhones and Apple devices. Those that use Android, on the other hand, aren’t left hanging. A Tile or Chipolo tracker might be a good choice.
And here’s the kicker: they both operate in the same way, with an app you download that locates your tracker via a network of other Tile or Chipolo devices. Tile and Chipolo provide a variety of trackers, including tiny circular ones with a built-in key ring hole and even credit card-sized ones, that may suit your needs better. Here are a few possibilities.
Related Tag
- cube tracker
James Gordon
