Photo: Little King Good/autoevolution edits
Say what you want about Apple, but the iPhone maker certainly reinvented the tracking device world with the debut of the AirTag.
The pill-shaped gadget rapidly became a must-have device for vehicle owners, as it can be planted virtually anywhere and share its coordinates regardless of location.
The AirTag just proved what it's capable of in Adelaide, Australia, as the device helped a scooter owner recover their vehicle thanks to location information shared by the tracker.
Two teens stole the vehicle from Frome Road and tried to run away, hoping nobody would find them as they walked on Main North Road and later in Pooraka. Their strategy failed because they didn't even think of looking for trackers in the scooter.
The owner had previously planted the tracker in the scooter, so once the vehicle had left its parking place, they could see its location in real-time. The owner called the police and provided the officer with real-time location data. Police rapidly found the teenage girl and her friend, arresting the duo at Duffield Drive.
As a bonus, the teens also helped police discover two other stolen bikes. Officers told the local media that they also arrested a 37-year-old man involved in the theft.
AirTags work without an Internet connection, as they search for nearby iPhones and use them to broadcast their location. The device relies on a Bluetooth connection to stream its coordinates, so it must be close to the iPhone to go online. The teens might have been carrying an iPhone in their pockets during the whole time, as the owner could see the scooter's location updated nearly in real-time.
Apple's AirTag also comes with anti-stalking protection, alerting nearby iPhone owners that a tracker might be traveling with them. However, the protection wasn't triggered in this case, as the alerts also issue a notification on nearby iPhones, allowing owners to search for AirTags and make them generate sounds for easier identification.
Apple is also working on an improved AirTag model, but its debut is expected to happen in 2025. The company reportedly wanted to unveil the second-generation model this year, but considering the strong sales of the current version, Apple decided to hold back the new version until it clears out inventories.
The AirTag comes with a removable battery unit, so it doesn't need recharging. It can work for approximately six months per unit, so once you plant it in your car, you only need to remove it twice every year to replace the battery. The device generates a notification on your smartphone when you must install a new battery. The second-generation AirTag is expected to offer increased battery life and improved precision, with the design likely to remain similar to the existing model.
The AirTag just proved what it's capable of in Adelaide, Australia, as the device helped a scooter owner recover their vehicle thanks to location information shared by the tracker.
Two teens stole the vehicle from Frome Road and tried to run away, hoping nobody would find them as they walked on Main North Road and later in Pooraka. Their strategy failed because they didn't even think of looking for trackers in the scooter.
The owner had previously planted the tracker in the scooter, so once the vehicle had left its parking place, they could see its location in real-time. The owner called the police and provided the officer with real-time location data. Police rapidly found the teenage girl and her friend, arresting the duo at Duffield Drive.
As a bonus, the teens also helped police discover two other stolen bikes. Officers told the local media that they also arrested a 37-year-old man involved in the theft.
AirTags work without an Internet connection, as they search for nearby iPhones and use them to broadcast their location. The device relies on a Bluetooth connection to stream its coordinates, so it must be close to the iPhone to go online. The teens might have been carrying an iPhone in their pockets during the whole time, as the owner could see the scooter's location updated nearly in real-time.
Apple's AirTag also comes with anti-stalking protection, alerting nearby iPhone owners that a tracker might be traveling with them. However, the protection wasn't triggered in this case, as the alerts also issue a notification on nearby iPhones, allowing owners to search for AirTags and make them generate sounds for easier identification.
Apple is also working on an improved AirTag model, but its debut is expected to happen in 2025. The company reportedly wanted to unveil the second-generation model this year, but considering the strong sales of the current version, Apple decided to hold back the new version until it clears out inventories.
The AirTag comes with a removable battery unit, so it doesn't need recharging. It can work for approximately six months per unit, so once you plant it in your car, you only need to remove it twice every year to replace the battery. The device generates a notification on your smartphone when you must install a new battery. The second-generation AirTag is expected to offer increased battery life and improved precision, with the design likely to remain similar to the existing model.
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