Originally published at: AirTag in the News: NYPD Recommends, Apple and Google Propose Industry Tracking Standard - TidBITS
In response to a surge of car thefts, the New York Police Department recommends the city’s car owners install an AirTag to help with stolen vehicle recovery. Meanwhile, Apple and Google have partnered on a new industry standard to provide consistent anti-tracking protection for devices that can track object locations persistently.
2 Likes
Great info - thanks Glenn.
I keep an Airtag in my trailer and got an alert the other day that its battery was low. I checked the Find My app on my iPhone and in the list of devices it showed a low battery icon. I tapped this and an animation started showing how to remove the flat battery and install a fresh (C2032) battery.
It was a remarkably simple, well guided process - dare I say - for an Apple product!
Interesting that this was my first low battery experience. I set up several Airtags at the same time. Most are in baggage and are regularly in range of iPhones. The trailer is more remote so maybe it uses more power trying to find an iPhone in range?
1 Like
I have the same issue and it’s not more power—they are broadcast only, with no “knowledge” of anything nearby. The real difference is when they’re accessed via Bluetooth. So if you play a sound on them, you’re using some additional battery life. Otherwise, they’re just inert broadcasters. I have had some of the identical package of thumb-cell batteries “go flat” within 6 months; others, 12+! It could be manufacturing differences among seemingly identical AirTags or yield issues at battery makers.
2 Likes