I want to attach it to that and this.
The smart tag (loss prevention tracker) is a super convenient item that allows you to track and monitor the location of your important belongings from your smartphone, tablet, or PC when you lose them. There are various shapes such as a card type and a key chain type that can be easily inserted into your wallet, and the Bluetooth connection range and cloud search network scale also differ depending on the manufacturer.
When choosing a smart tag, "ease of use" and "search ability" in case of emergency are important. Therefore, this time, we will introduce the recommended products of the latest Bluetooth smart tag carefully selected by the Wirecutter editorial department!
For those who tend to panic every day when they are busy, "Where is the key?" Or "I forgot my wallet somewhere!", The smart tag is just the savior. If you don't lose anything, it will be a waste of money, but just having it gives you a sense of security as a talisman.
As a result of scrutinizing such various smart tags by Wirecutter staff, Apple's AirTag has been decided as the recommended product for iPhone users! This is the latest smart tag that makes full use of the huge network of Apple devices, sometimes passively searching for lost items and accurately tracking them while using another person's smartphone as a relay point. However, it will not work unless paired with an Apple device, so if you do not have an iPhone, we recommend the Tile Mate (2020) series, which is now synonymous with smart tags and boasts the world's second largest cloud exploration network. !!
Recommended smart tag list and basic information
Apple AirTag
Bluetooth smart tag recommended for iPhone users. AirTag uses Apple's huge device network to search for lost items. Pinpoint the exact location.
Apple's AirTag connects to a paired Apple device via Bluetooth with ultra-wideband wireless communication technology and tells you where to find lost items in centimeters.
Latest Apple AirTag3,800 yen
Even if the tag goes out of the Bluetooth connection range, it will search in cooperation with other Apple devices, so it is a mechanism that 1 billion Apple users around the world will search for your belongings together. The chances of finding a lost item are quite high. No other smart tag can detect this extensively and accurately.
Tile Mate (2020)
The best Bluetooth smart tag recommended for Android users. Tile Mate has a wide range of connections and makes a sound to let you know where the "lost" is. The most "good looking" smart tag among non-Apple trackers.
Tile series (2020)
A wide variety of Tile products that can be used according to the purpose. Tile has a wide range of products for different purposes, such as Tile Mate, Tile Slim, and Tile Sticker (also sold as a set as "Tile Essentials" overseas).
AirTag works only on Apple devices, so if you're an Android smartphone user, we recommend the Tile series such as Tile Mate (2020), Tile Slim (2020), and Tile Sticker (2020). “Tile” is no longer synonymous with smart tags. It has the second largest cloud search network in the world and has a wide range of connections. The point is that even if you lose your essential smartphone, you can remotely sound the notification sound from Tile. This is a feature that Airtag doesn't have.
Tile Mate (2020) Battery replacement version Find what you are looking for / smartphone Loss prevention Japan-US share No. 1 smart speaker compatible [Compatible with Alexa certified product] [Japanese authorized distributor] RE-19001-AP2,015 yen
Tile Slim (2020) Find what you are looking for / smartphone Loss prevention Japan-US share No. 1 smart speaker compatible [Compatible with Alexa certified product] [Japan authorized distributor] RE-23001-AP3,034 yen
Tile Sticker (2020) Pack of 2 Find what you are looking for / smartphone Loss prevention Japan-US share No. 1 smart speaker compatible [Compatible with Alexa certified product] [Japanese authorized distributor] RE-25002-AP4,361 yen
Let's introduce the functions and usage of each recommended smart tag product in detail!
State-of-the-art smart tags recommended for iPhone users: Apple AirTag
If you're an iPhone user and want a smart tag to prevent lost items, Apple AirTag is the best choice. AirTag has two major recommendations that no other competitor has.
The first is a huge device network unique to Apple. And the second is the accuracy that pinpoints the position of the target item in cm units. By making full use of these two functions, it demonstrates the exploration power that sets it apart from other Bluetooth tracking systems.
Latest Apple AirTag3,800 yen
If you don't know where you lost it, explore the vast Apple network.
If you lose something outside the Bluetooth range and say "I don't know where it is!", Apple's network comes into play. When another iPhone user approaches AirTag, its location is notified to the owner. For example, if you forget the key with the AirTag in the cafe, even if you are far away, if there is a person with an iPhone or Apple device in the vicinity, that terminal will be used as a relay point to notify the location of the tag. It will do it. Of course, the anonymity of the device that became the repeater is maintained, and the transmitted location information is also fully encrypted.
"Lost Mode" is on to show contacts to discoverers
When you hold a smartphone equipped with short-range wireless communication (Android is also OK) over AirTag, a website that displays information about that AirTag (serial number, etc.) opens. In addition, if the owner has AirTag's "lost mode" turned on, they can display the message "Call me here if you find one" and the contact phone number, so let the person who picked it up know where it is. It is also possible to get it. The page also describes how to disable AirTag, so even if you don't know what AirTag is in your bag, you can disable it.
For short-distance exploration, UWB will tell you the direction and distance
When AirTag is within the Bluetooth connection range, it is possible to pinpoint the exact position of the target by short-range search using the ultra-wideband wireless communication technology "UWB (Ultra-Wide Band)".
For example, if you go to a cafe where you misplaced AirTag and search for the target device from the "Find My iPhone" tab of the "Find My iPhone" app, the direction and distance from your smartphone to AirTag will be displayed. Also, if you tap "Play Sound", AirTag itself will make a sound like "Pip Pip ..." and tell you the position. By the way, you can just say "Look for Hey, Siri, XX". In this test, it took a while to catch the AirTag tracking signal, but once connected, it showed me if it was in cm, so I was surprised at the accuracy of the system.
Apple hasn't released specific numbers for AirTag's Bluetooth connection range, but the actual measurement is about 9m. It's much narrower than Tile's smart tags, and is the smallest range Bluetooth supports. However, it is necessary and sufficient when actually looking for something in the office or home. More important than that is Apple's huge tracking network and the accuracy of its detection capabilities.
The surface of the AirTag is made of shiny white plastic and the back is made of metal. At first glance, it looks like a pin badge attached to a denim jacket or backpack. It's a little bigger than a quarter coin and a little thicker than an iPhone, but it feels thinner than it really is because of its rounded design. As an option, you can engrave up to 4 characters (or pictograms) of your choice, and if you purchase a set of 4, you can put different characters in each.
Settings and operability are "as expected Apple"
The operability of setup and pairing is just a word from Apple. If you take a new AirTag out of the box and place it next to the smartphone or tablet you want to pair with, the connection screen will pop up like AirPods and Apple Watch. If you tap the "Connect" button and decide the name of AirTag, you can register it with your Apple ID. There are no difficult settings or menus, and pairing work is completed in about 1 minute. Setting up Tile is relatively easy, but AirTag is less of a hassle because you have to start the app manually first.
All AirTag tracking and operations are done in the Find My iPhone, and you'll also see all the tag locations and options here. You can also rename or delete AirTag on the same screen. You can completely remove and unpair your Apple ID by following the removal steps, so someone else can reuse it as if it were new. You can connect up to 16 AirTags to your account.
AirTag has a replaceable battery, and the app will notify you when the battery is low. In that case, twist the metal part on the back and replace it with a new button battery (CR2032). By the way, Apple has announced that the battery life is about one year like Tile. In addition, it is compatible with the waterproof performance "IP67", so it is okay to immerse it in water at a depth of 1 m for 30 minutes. However, according to Apple, water resistance and dust resistance are not permanent and may wear out during normal use, so it seems safe to avoid water and dirt as much as possible.
Points to be worried about
Unlike other companies' products such as Tile, you can't ring your smartphone from AirTag, so if you lose your iPhone, you'll have to use the Find My iPhone app on other devices to find it. Also, since each AirTag can only be paired with one Apple ID, the same tag cannot be shared by multiple people. For example, if you're sharing a key with a partner or roommate, the Find app can only track one person.
There is no so-called "separation alert" that notifies you when you forget your belongings in the house, so it may be a little inconvenient that you can not use it to prevent things left behind. In addition, the AirTag itself doesn't have holes or adhesives for keychains, so you'll have to buy additional accessories as needed, which adds extra cost. Apple's genuine key ring and loop are about the same price as the main body, and Hermes model etc. are set as high as 41,800 yen and 53,800 yen, so if you do not want to spend money here, buy a third party product recommend. We would like to test various holders for AirTag and report the results in the near future.
"Synonymous with smart tags" recommended for Android users: Tile series
AirTag is for Apple devices only, but that doesn't mean there aren't any good smart tags for Android users. The Tile series, such as the Tile Mate (2020), Tile Slim (2020), and Tile Sticker (2020), which are now synonymous with smart tags, are also popular products and have the second largest exploration network after Apple. The connection range is wide and the alarm sound is easy to hear.
The great attraction of the Tile series is the variety of sizes and designs that are easy to use. The Tile Mate has a hole for attaching a keychain, the Tile Slim can be easily put in your wallet, and the Tile Sticker has an adhesive back so you can attach it directly to the target item.
Tile Mate (2020) Battery replacement version Find what you are looking for / smartphone Loss prevention Japan-US share No. 1 smart speaker compatible [Compatible with Alexa certified product] [Japanese authorized distributor] RE-19001-AP2,015 yen
Tile Slim (2020) Find what you are looking for / smartphone Loss prevention Japan-US share No. 1 smart speaker compatible [Compatible with Alexa certified product] [Japan authorized distributor] RE-23001-AP3,034 yen
Tile Sticker (2020) Pack of 2 Find what you are looking for / smartphone Loss prevention Japan-US share No. 1 smart speaker compatible [Compatible with Alexa certified product] [Japanese authorized distributor] RE-25002-AP4,361 yen
The Tile community where 6 million are "discovered" every day
If the Tile is out of the Bluetooth connection range, you can see where you last connected to your phone on the map, so you can get an idea of where you dropped it. If you still can't find it, or if you're far from where it was last detected, launch the "Tile Community".
When another user running the Tile app receives radio waves emitted from Tile, the location information is notified to the owner's app. In other words, the more Tile users you have, the easier it will be to find what you have lost. According to Tile, more than 35 million smart tags have been sold so far, but not all are active due to dead batteries etc., so it can be said that Apple has an overwhelmingly large community. .. Still, 6 million lost items are discovered by Tile every day, and 90% of items tagged with lost items are back in the hands of their owners.
The AirTag design is one type of round shape like a button, but the Tile series has a lot of variations. The Tile Mate is the most versatile and has a hole in the upper left corner where you can attach key chains, straps and more. The Tile Slim is a thin design that can be put in a square wallet with rounded corners, and although it looks like a credit card, it is 2.4 mm thick, about the same as three cards. The width is about 3.5 cm and the thickness is about 0.6 cm. The Tile Sticker is a small circular smart tag that looks like four quarters stacked on top of each other and has an adhesive back that allows you to attach it directly to items you don't want to lose. This Sticker is so small that it doesn't stand out, and it's very convenient to attach to things that don't have a key ring.
Bluetooth connection range is necessary and sufficient and highly functional
When I tested the Bluetooth connection range, it was 46.3m on average, which is enough. You don't need to spend extra money on Tile Pro. According to Tile's promotion, the maximum connection range is about 60m, and the measured value is significantly narrow, but even 46m is about 1.5 times that of a basketball court, which is more than enough for normal processes and what to look for in the office. The Tile Slim was about 44m and the Tile Sticker was about 37m.
The accuracy of the detection function is not as fine as AirTag, but the Bluetooth connection range is wider in Tile, and it can be said that it is quite sophisticated for "finding something nearby".
The notification sound when Tile Mate is sounded is a little over 104 dB, and Slim is 99.5 dB and 103.9 dB, so it is a volume that can be heard from end to end in an office or apartment.
The Tile Mate uses a button-type lithium battery (CR1632) and can be easily replaced by sliding the back cover. Batteries can be purchased for around 100 yen each and seem to last for about a year. This is almost the same as AirTag. By the way, even if you are using an old Tile that is not battery-powered, you can replace it with a new battery-powered Tile at a bargain price by registering as a user with Tile and using the reTile program. Tile Slim and Tile Sticker do not have a battery replacement version, but it is said that the battery will last for 3 years.
The Tile Mate is not "fully waterproof" because the back cover is openable. Even so, it is water resistant, so there is no risk of it breaking even if it is dropped in a puddle or left in the rain. In Tile's test, it seems that it did not break even if it was put in the dryer 1,000 times, so the main body will not be damaged before the battery. In any case, Slim and Mate are waterproof standard IPX7 compliant, so they can withstand water depths up to 1m.
Further upgrade with subscription service
Tile has a subscription service "Tile Premium" with a monthly fee of 360 yen and an annual fee of 3,600 yen, which covers all Tile products you own. Services include free battery replacement, extended warranty (1 year → 3 years), SMS-based support, and more. Other features include location history dating back to the last 30 days, unlimited sharing, and smart alerts that notify you when you leave your Tile at home and go out. Smart alerts can be used by registering your home address, but in this test, you were finally notified about 500 meters away from your home, so it was not very easy to use. By the way, AirTag doesn't have this feature.
Last year, Tile announced the rollout of "Premium Protect" for $ 100 a year (about 11,000 yen). In addition to the service content of Tile Premium, we have started a service that refunds up to $ 1,000 (about 110,000 yen) in one year if lost items are not returned. It hasn't been launched in Japan yet, but it may be valuable for items that are a heavy burden when lost.
Setting up Tile is very simple. You can complete everything there by installing the Tile app (Android, iOS) without having to operate it from the settings menu of your smartphone. After launching the app and completing the preparations on the smartphone side such as registering the type of Tile device, press the button in the center of Tile to start pairing. AirTag may be more automated to set up, but both processes are simpler and faster.
You can give each Tile any name or image you like in the app. For example, if you attach an image of the backpack to the Tile Mate attached to the backpack, you may be able to operate it intuitively. The list and map modes on the app show all the paired Tile devices. You can also check smartphones and tablets that share the same account by running the Tile app. There is no limit to the number of pairs you can pair, but you can only actively communicate with Android via Bluetooth up to four Tile devices at a time.
Since Tile uses standard Bluetooth, AirTag with ultra-wideband technology is better at close range accuracy. As a matter of fact, Tile claims the harmful effects of Apple's monopoly, saying that "Apple has monopolized the data necessary for detailed position detection when announcing AirTag." In April 2021, Tile's head of legal affairs, Kristen Dal, said at a hearing in the US House of Representatives (* PDF) that Apple was with the iPhone, even though the company was already developing products with wideband technology. It is testifying that it is hindering the compatibility of.
Is privacy or security okay?
Of course, when it comes to tracking the location of items, privacy and security issues are a concern. I'm worried that the smart tag maker has the location information, and I'm a little scared when someone misuses it or thinks "What if I can secretly put the smart tag in the bag ...".
Apple security measures
Of course, both Apple and Tile are taking steps, but their approaches are different. Apple claims that "AirTag was developed with privacy in mind." Since the location data is consistently encrypted, no one other than yourself (including Apple) can know the location of a specific AirTag.
When Apple once announced the release of AirTag and its details, it published a combination of possible abuse cases and its preventative measures. For example, if someone puts AirTag in someone else's bag without permission, the iPhone will detect it and alert you. In this test, we haven't yet measured the time it takes for the alert to sound.
In addition, according to renowned blogger John Gruber, who writes the article for Daring Fireball, Apple has designed AirTag to beep three days away from its owner as a measure against stalking. Apple claims that even people who don't have an iPhone can now find someone else's AirTag and feel at ease.
In this regard, some say it is inadequately safe. The Washington Post, which has extensively tested AirTag's privacy features on the iPhone (member registration required for viewing), also concluded that "the features Apple added to limit stalking aren't as deterrent as you might expect." It is attached. The bottleneck is the period of "3 days". That's enough to identify you to someone malicious. Also, if an item with AirTag is stolen, an alert after 3 days could cause the thief to disable tracking or destroy AirTag. By the way, Tile doesn't have such a system, so even if Tile is installed near you, you will not notice it.
Tile security measures
Tile officials say the company uses user location data only in four cases:
- Identify the positional relationship (distance and direction) between your belongings and the smartphone equipped with the app
- Periodically locate each smart tag
- If someone is within the range of the lost tag, record its location
- Identify the approximate location of your PC or device based on your IP address (only if you contact Tile's support center)
Since it is a device whose purpose is to identify the position in the first place, it cannot be said that the act of identifying the position or recording is particularly harmful. Tile states that its products and services "do not use advertisements (which generate income) that give access to specific information that would allow a third party to make a financial profit."
We read the privacy policies of both companies and weighed the most important concerns about both smart tags.
| AirTag | Tile | |
| Can the manufacturer access the location of the smart tag? | No | Yes Yes |
| Is location data on the network anonymized and encrypted? | Yes Yes | Yes Yes |
| Do you sell and share customer data and location data to third parties? | No | No |
| Has there been a data breach in the last two years? | No | No |
| Is your privacy policy easy to read? | Yes Yes | No |
Future smart tags
In April 2021, Apple announced that it would extend its "find" app service to third-party accessories. Once approved by Apple, device makers can now search for lost items over the iPhone and iPad networks. So far, the third-party products that are entering Apple's "find" network are Chipolo's smart tag "ONE Spot," Belkin's wireless earphones "Soundform Freedom," and VanMoof's electric bikes.
There are still!Competitive products that unfortunately missed the rank
The Tile Pro (2020) is a little larger in size and more expensive than the Tile series, and has a wide connection range of about 122m. In this test, communication was uninterrupted no matter where I was in the office, which was about 58 meters away. Sure, the wider the connection, the better, but Tile Mate is sufficient as it doesn't have to be that wide for actual home or office use. If you live in a mansion or if you need about 120m because the parking lot is far away, you can add about 1,000 yen and choose Pro.
Chipolo One (2020) is very similar to Tile Mate, but with a much smaller exploration network and a narrower range of connections.
Orbit develops a wide variety of smart tags, including Orbit Glasses for eyeglasses and sunglasses and Orbit Card, which is thinner than Tile Slim. It's intriguing because it can track specific items, but unfortunately Orbit's network is still limited and there's no reason to choose Orbit over Tile.
In fact, I also lost my sunglasses with the Orbit Glasses tracker. The place is New York City, which is full of traffic and technology. I thought it was time for the smart tag to come into play and flagged it as "lost", but I didn't get any notification from other Orbit users saying "I found it!". In addition, I didn't get a notification when my Orbit Card was low on battery, so I wouldn't have been able to find it if I lost my wallet with the Orbit Card at that time.
TrackR's Pixel is about 2.5 cm in diameter, about the size of a dollar coin, much smaller than Tile Mate, and is about three 25 cent coins thick. In the June 2017 test, TrackR Pixel's connection range averaged 13.7m, which was not as good as the Tile series products, and TrackR missed the recommended product ranking in terms of connection range and network scale.
Cube sells three designs, Cube, Cube Pro, and Cube Shadow, and Shadow is thin enough to fit in your wallet. The connection range of Cube Shadow is the same as Tile Slim, and Cube and Cube Pro are about half of Tile Mate and Tile Pro, and the network scale is also higher than the Cube series to Tile.
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