Code in iOS 14.3 suggests that Apple is rolling out the groundwork to add support for third-party item trackers to the Find My app, as well as additional support for AirTags.
Apple alongside iOS 14 launched a Find My Network Accessory Program that's designed to allow third-party products and accessories to integrate with the Find My app. With these feature, users can track third-party lost items directly on their Apple devices using the Find My app.
It is, in fact, similar to the AirTags that Apple is working on, but for third-party products. It's not yet clear what manufacturers plan to implement this functionality, but it seems like it could be added to a range of different Bluetooth devices.
There are several strings of code in iOS 14.3 that hint at how it will work, with the info discovered by MacRumors contributor Steve Moser.
You are connecting to an item that is paired to someone else's Apple ID.
This item has been moving with you for a while.
The owner can see its location.
This item was seen nearby.
The owner of this item will be able to see its location.
Replace battery on [item] soon.
This item is not supported. Please try again in a few minutes. If the problem persists, you may need to contact the manufacturer.
Change or charge the battery for this item and try again.
This device doesn't support Bluetooth. Bluetooth is required to connect your item.
Adding items is not supported on this device.
Contact the manufacturer of this device to learn if Find My is supported.
Make sure the item is nearby and ready to connect.
To add items to Find My, you'll need to first update your account security.
You have added the maximum number of items to your Apple ID. You can add another item once you remove one.
Turn on precise location to more accurately locate the distance between you and your friends, devices, and items.
Removing this item will allow it to be set up and used by another person and it will no longer be linked to your Apple ID.
You can learn more about lost items, or see if the owner has left a message, by connecting to it.
Select an emoji and name that best represents your item.
If this item is not familiar to you, learn how to disassemble it and stop sharing your location.
Keep track of your everyday items by adding Find My compatible accessories.
The beta also includes related icons (one of which may unveil the design of AirPods Studio) and some AirTags images that we've previously seen, all under the codename "Hawkeye."
It's not clear when we might see the first items that are able to integrate with the Find My app, but it appears that Apple is gearing up for support so we could perhaps be seeing some Find My-compatible Bluetooth items in the near future.
It's pretty clear they needed to get this out first to avoid anti-cometiticive lawsuits before releasing AirTags. Once 14.3 is out, I bet we'll see AirTags finally launch.
It's pretty clear they needed to get this out first to avoid anti-cometiticive lawsuits before releasing AirTags. Once 14.3 is out, I bet we'll see AirTags finally launch.
If anything for me it was Tile that was coming across anti competitive by crying about Apple potentially launching tags before they have even been released. Tile could always try making their own phone. Spotify is another one that just whinges. And state Apple has an unfair advantage then Spotify brags about how many users they have. These other companies do not appear to be that smart.
Apple dodging those anti-competitive lawsuits preemptively now ?
Tile can make as much noise as they want. I bought one of their trackers a couple of years back, and it was a horrible experience. You couldn’t pay me to use them ever again.
Is it anti-competitive when Apple has a legitimately superior product that threatens to marginalise your entire business model? Or is it just a sign that you are unfit to compete, like BlackBerry, Pebble, and numerous other competitors that Apple has laid waste to?
Apple in iOS 15 is adding new Separation Alerts to the Find My app, which will let you know if you leave an Apple device, a device attached to an AirTag, or a Find My-enabled third-party device behind.
Enable separation alerts, and if you leave a device, AirTag, or compatible third-party item behind, your iPhone will alert you with notifications and Find My will give you directions to your...
Wednesday January 13, 2021 5:45 am PST by Joe Rossignol
As seen in screenshots obtained by MacRumors in 2019, Apple's long-rumored AirTags items trackers are expected to be managed through the Find My app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Now, any user can get an early look at this tab. MacRumors reader David Chu today alerted us that the hidden "Items" tab in the Find My app can be enabled on an iPhone or iPad by typing in the link findmy://items in...
Samsung will release the Galaxy SmartTag Plus on April 16 for $39.99, becoming the first mainstream item tracker with support for ultra-wideband technology, The Verge reports.
In January, Samsung announced the "Galaxy SmartTag," a small squircle-shaped device that can be used to track and locate items such as keys, bags, and more. Samsung announced two versions of the SmartTag, one that uses ...
Wednesday April 7, 2021 12:35 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Apple has a trio of manufacturers lined up with new products that are able to integrate with the Find My app, including Chipolo's item trackers, Belkin's SOUNDFORM earbuds, and e-bikes from VanMoof.
Starting today, new S3 and E3 electric bikes ordered from VanMoof will be compatible with the Find My app, and will be able to be tracked using Find My right alongside Apple devices.
Once...
Wednesday April 28, 2021 10:12 am PDT by Juli Clover
Prior to when Apple announced the AirTags, companies including Chipolo, VanMoof, and Belkin debuted products that are part of the Find My network accessory program, integrating directly with the Find My app so they can be tracked when lost.
Of the three companies, Chipolo has the most AirTag-like device, a Bluetooth item tracker called the ONE Spot. Chipolo will need to compete with the...
Wednesday April 7, 2021 10:06 am PDT by Juli Clover
Apple today announced the launch of its Find My network accessory program, which is designed to allow third-party Bluetooth devices to be tracked in the Find My app right alongside your Apple devices.
According to Apple, the first accessory companies to take advantage of the new Find My integration include Belkin, Chipolo, and VanMoof, with devices set to be available beginning next week.
...
FCC filings for Apple's newly released AirTags have revealed that the Cupertino tech giant began regulatory testing and preparing to seek regulatory approval for the product nearly two years before they were officially announced. A series of documents submitted to the Federal Communications Commission indicate that AirTag underwent testing for official certification between July and...
iOS and iPadOS 14.5 beta 3 includes a new "Item Safety Feature" that helps prevent someone from stalking or tracking you with item trackers such as AirTags.
The new toggle was higlighted by 9to5Mac contributor and developer Benjamin Mayo, who explains that with the feature toggled on, your iPhone will notice that someone has placed an AirTag or other Find My-compatible item tracker in your...
Apple's new AirTag item trackers are ideal for attaching to things like bags and luggage cases, which makes it likely they'll become popular with travelers and backpackers who want to keep tabs on their personal possessions abroad. For this reason, it's worth remembering which AirTag features work wherever you are, which ones depend on you being nearby the AirTag, and which functions aren't...
Beginning with iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5, users will be able to keep track of select non-Apple-branded products like Beats headphones and upcoming Belkin wireless earbuds using Apple's built-in Find My app.
In preparation for the launch of this feature, Apple has made a new "Items" tab visible by default in the Find My app in the third beta of iOS 14.5 seeded to developers today. Previously,...
When Apple released iOS 14.5 in April, it introduced the ability to unlock your iPhone with Face ID while wearing a mask, as long as you are wearing an Apple Watch. Here are some troubleshooting tips.
New features for FaceTime calls, tools to reduce distractions, a new notifications experience, added privacy features, complete redesigns for Safari, Weather, and Maps, and more.
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Top Rated Comments
I bet this is one of the reasons why the Apple trackers were delayed. Now Tile, et al. is free to compete along with everybody else.
Is it anti-competitive when Apple has a legitimately superior product that threatens to marginalise your entire business model? Or is it just a sign that you are unfit to compete, like BlackBerry, Pebble, and numerous other competitors that Apple has laid waste to?