Federica Laricchia
Research expert covering the global consumer technology industry
AirTag- statistics & facts
Released in April 2021, AirTag is a tracking device developed by Apple that helps its users monitor their personal belongings. AirTags use the Find My network – an app that, through iCloud accounts, allows users to track Apple devices, third-party items, and accessories, as well as allowing people to share their GPS location. Working within the Find My network – which is estimated to count 1.8 million active users- AirTags anonymously report Bluetooth signals emitted from Apple devices.
AirTag features and compatibility
Designed to work with CR2032 batteries, AirTags are featured with built-in speakers that play a sound triggered by the user on the Find My app. Furthermore, Apple added U1 chips to its AirTags so that users would be able to use the so-called “Precision Finding” feature – which uses ultra-wideband technology – and see the exact location of the tracking devices, both indoors and outdoors. Although AirTags are compatible with any iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch devices running on iOS or iPadOS 14 and later, the Precision Finding option is available only on Apple devices with U1 chips, such as those used in the iPhone 11 and later (except for the second and third-generation iPhone SE), Apple Watch Series 6 and 7, and HomePod mini.Consumption
Since their release, Apple AirTags have gained in popularity. They are available not only at Apple stores but are also sold by third-party retailers such as Best Buy and Amazon where consumers can decide whether to buy a single device for 29 U.S. dollars or a four-pack bundle for 99 U.S. dollars. Overall, it seems that there are many different reasons for buying AirTags such as the reliability and privacy features that they offer. As stated above, all kinds of personal belongings could be tracked with AirTags. It can be keys, wallets, purses, or vehicles, but consumers also use them to track their pets and children. Aware of the possibility of unwanted tracking, Apple has built and included security restrictions designed to prevent AirTags from being used as stalking devices. Particularly, if an AirTag that does not belong to you has been within close proximity for a while, you will receive an alert about an AirTag detected nearby.
