Tag, I’m it

Our four-pack of Apple’s AirTags arrived yesterday, so I got to enjoy some Apple-product-unboxing yesterday evening.

@TheFrankFlyer ordered them as soon as they were announced, and my interest in them has grown since. You mightn’t think they’re the most exciting thing Apple announced at the last event (obviously, that’s the purple iPhone), but I’m intrigued as to what will follow.

What can you do with a network of a billion iPhones?

Anyway, all I’ve managed to do so far is set up my two AirTags – after briefly considering where I’d attach them. Obviously, one now sits on my keyring. The other is going to be in whatever bag I’m carrying on a given day. And recent de-cluttering means that’s not going to be an issue.

The packaging is typically Apple – minimalist, but just enough to get you going. Set-up couldn’t be simpler. You pull off the sticker attached to an individual tag, enjoy the brief but pleasing noise it emits, place it next to your iPhone, confirm you want to pair it, then give it a name. You can choose from some pre-existing options (e.g. keys, bag etc) or add something more bespoke. This is the name that will show up when you use the FindMy network.

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I’d estimate it took about thirty seconds per tag and is pretty much foolproof. (I know. I’m probably unintentionally issuing a challenge to someone out there, but save for accidentally ingesting an AirTag, I don’t think you can go far wrong.)

I’ll be leaving the apartment later today to run some errands, so I’ll have the chance to see how well they perform when I’m on the move. But all signs (and YouTube videos) point to them being pretty accurate.

I’m already wondering how I can use them once international travel is a thing again. If I place one in my checked-in luggage, will I be able to track its journey once we land? Will future versions be slim enough to fit in a wallet? Let’s see. But for now, I’m just happy I have a simple way to find my keys.

Yes, I’m one of those people…