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iOS 13 Code Has References to Apple's Rumored Tile-Like Item Tracker Accessory

Tuesday June 4, 2019 7:18 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

A few months ago, 9to5Mac's Guilherme Rambo reported that Apple is working on a new Tile-like item tracker accessory for tracking the location of belongings through the new merged Find My app. The report said the "tag" would be paired to a user's iCloud account and rely on proximity to an iPhone.

Tile next to placeholder image for Apple's item tracker in iOS 13 via 9to5Mac
Like the Tile, users would be able to receive notifications when their device gets too far away from the tag. To avoid false triggers, it would be possible to set a list of common locations to be ignored like a work office so that the item can be left at those locations without the user being notified.

Now, developer Steve Moser and Rambo from 9to5Mac have uncovered references to Apple's item tracker within ‌iOS 13‌ code.

What is Tag1,1? Could this be the Tile like device? #WWDC19 /cc @markgurman @stroughtonsmith @_inside pic.twitter.com/Xg6tVMXVZe
— Steve Moser (@SteveMoser) June 4, 2019

Rambo:

Now, the first beta of ‌iOS 13‌ includes an asset package for a device with the product type "Tag1,1". This type of asset package is used for pairing devices by proximity, the same way as AirPods and HomePod can be paired to a user's device.

Another asset found on ‌iOS 13‌ beta 1 also gives us a glimpse as to what this device will look like. It's likely a mockup used for testing that was left out in the OS, but it matches descriptions of the device given by people involved in its development.

It is unclear if and when Apple plans to release the item tracker, which is only known by its B389 codename, but one possibility is that it arrives alongside new iPhones and the public release of ‌iOS 13‌ in September.

Related Roundups: iOS 13, iPadOS

Tags: Tile, Apple item tracker

Top Rated Comments

(View all)

TomaxXamot

19 weeks ago

I hope they do release this. I’ve always been interested in Tile, but the limitations held me back from purchasing. If Apple can improve upon what already exists, as is their forté, I’m interested.

Rating: 14 Votes

bbeagle

19 weeks ago

It’ll be a great accessory for their dog leash.

(I can’t believe this is a thing)

You obviously do not have young kids that you take to crowded areas.

For those who don't.... imagine scenarios like you take your kid to a summer festival. There are arts and crafts, musicians, booths selling things, kid bounce houses, etc.

There are many times where the crowds are completely packed like sardines in certain sections. You can put your kid on your head, or hold their hand, but if you have more than 1 (and you're carrying diaper bags, etc) or they see something they'll pull free from your grasp (kids are slippery than you think!) and run, and you can't find them as you're 3 feet taller and they're under there somewhere.... easiest to use have a leash.

At 1 or 2, they won't listen to you no matter how well you parent. By the time they're 3 or 4, they understand things.

We thought we'd never do this as parents either, and laughed at those. But wait until you're a parent in certain situations!

Rating: 13 Votes

jmh600cbr

19 weeks ago

Pack of 1 for $99.99

Rating: 10 Votes

verniesgarden

19 weeks ago

Day 1 buy for me just because I dig staying in apples little ecosystem. If I could have apple underpants I would too

Can they be named Apple Bottoms?

Rating: 9 Votes

deannnnn

19 weeks ago

I look forward to getting an alert as the Uber drives away with my wallet

Rating: 9 Votes

subjonas

19 weeks ago

With this and the upcoming offline Apple device tracker depending on Bluetooth of nearby iPhones, I’m beginning to understand why Apple doesn’t want us to turn off our Bluetooth anymore via control center.

Rating: 7 Votes