Apple’s AirTag is a must-have if you often misplace your keys. These small disc-shaped trackers, introduced in 2021, gained popularity for their ability to pinpoint the exact location of lost items on a map. Due to their compact size, AirTags can be easily attached to keys, placed in bags, laptop cases, or luggage.
When near the tag, your iPhone provides precise on-screen directions, and the AirTag can emit a sound to assist in locating it. The latest AirTag model has been revealed with an enhanced Ultra Wideband chip, offering a significantly extended range.
Apple claims that this upgrade improves Precision Finding by up to 50%, making it easier to locate lost items from a greater distance. For the first time, Precision Finding is also compatible with certain Apple Watch models, allowing users to track down misplaced items directly from their wrist.
Furthermore, Apple has enhanced the volume of the new AirTag with a redesigned internal speaker, producing sounds 50% louder than its predecessor. This enhancement is beneficial for finding the AirTag when it is hidden under clutter or slipped behind sofa cushions.
AirTags continue to rely on Apple’s extensive Find My network, which leverages nearby Apple devices to transmit location updates to the owner anonymously. The system has been revamped with a focus on privacy, ensuring that AirTags do not store location history on the device and all communication with the Find My network is encrypted end-to-end, safeguarding the location information for the owner’s eyes only.
The new AirTag seamlessly integrates with Share Item Location, an iOS feature enabling users to securely share an item’s location with trusted third parties, such as airlines, to aid in recovering lost belongings like delayed luggage. Apple has collaborated with over 50 airlines to support this functionality.
The latest AirTag is now available for purchase on apple.com/uk and the Apple Store app, with in-store availability expected later this week. Additionally, pricing starts at £29 for a single AirTag or £99 for a pack of four, making it more affordable than the original version, which started at £35 upon launch.