Apple this week continued distributing new firmware for the AirTags that first rolled out in August. There have been several minor releases with different build numbers, and behind the scenes, those tweaks were to meter the number of people who were seeing the AirTag update at one time.
The last version, for example, with a build number of 1A291e changed nothing other than the rate limit on the percentage of AirTags users getting the update. That update set the limit to 25 percent, and another build released yesterday (1A291f) removes the deployment limit entirely, so all users should now be able to get the firmware update.
A portion of people will have already received the new firmware, but anyone who had not should see their AirTags updating over the next few days. There's still no word on what's included in the AirTags firmware, and no new features have been found so it likely focuses on bug fixes and other under-the-hood improvements.
It is not clear why Apple has metered the release of the AirTags firmware update, but it may have to do with the over-the-air distribution method.
Apple does not provide an option to force an AirTag update, as it's something that's done over-the-air through a connected iPhone. To make sure the update happens, you can put your AirTag in range of your iPhone, but you have to wait for the firmware to roll out to your device.
Can we make them a bit louder so they are findable in a backpack or under a blanket?
More power equals more battery drain. It's a balance. My Casio plastic watch, with a "10 year battery" has been running for 20 years because I never used the alarm or backlight.
OTOH, they could make it an option with a warning.
Tuesday September 7, 2021 11:11 am PDT by Juli Clover
Apple today released a second revised version of the AirTags firmware that was first provided to AirTags owners in late August. The new internal build number is 1A291e, up from 1A291c from the prior revision.
There's no word on what's included in the new firmware and no new features were found following the first release, so it likely focuses on bug fixes and other under-the-hood...
Tuesday August 31, 2021 11:15 am PDT by Juli Clover
Apple today released a revised version of the AirTags firmware that was first provided to AirTags owners last week. The new internal build number is 1A291c, up from 1A291a.
We don't know what's included in the new firmware and no new features were found following the first release, so it likely focuses on bug fixes and other under-the-hood improvements.
There is no way to force an AirTag...
Thursday August 26, 2021 11:20 am PDT by Juli Clover
Apple today released a new firmware update designed for the AirTag item trackers. The refreshed firmware has a version number of 1.0.291 and a build number of 1A291a, up from 1A287b.
There's no word on what new features the firmware might add, but firmware released back in June added anti-stalking enhancements.
There is no way to force an AirTag update, as it's something that's done...
Wednesday June 23, 2021 10:16 am PDT by Juli Clover
Apple today released a new version of the 1.0.276 firmware designed for AirTags, which is a revision to the update that was made available in June.
The new AirTags 1.0.276 firmware has a build number of 1A287b, while the old firmware had a build number of 1A276d. The 1.0.276 firmware that came out in June added anti-stalking security enhancements, and this new version likely just refines...
The utility of Apple's AirTag item trackers have started to be seen in law enforcement when locating stolen property, according to recent reports. As reported by GadgetLite, an AirTag user in Boston was able to recover their stolen property with the help of the police and Apple's small tracking device.
Earlier this month, the user discovered that his bike had been stolen. Thankfully, he...
After years of waiting for the AirTags to debut, launch day is finally upon us and AirTags are now in the hands of customers. We got our AirTags in the mail today and thought we'd share a hands-on look for those who are still waiting for their orders or debating whether AirTags might be useful.
Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. As you probably know by now, AirTags...
As reported by 9to5Mac, AirTag Hermès is currently unavailable for purchase from Apple or directly from the Hermès website. The reasoning behind the unavailability remains unknown.
Apple's AirTags Hermès line features three separate styles, an AirTag with a Hermès keyring, bag charm, and luggage tag. All styles feature the standard AirTag with a removable backplate but engraved with...
The safeguards that Apple built into AirTags to prevent them from being used to track someone "just aren't sufficient," The Washington Post's Geoffrey Fowler said today in a report investigating how AirTags can be used for covert stalking.
Fowler planted an AirTag on himself and teamed up with a colleague to be pretend stalked, and he came to the conclusion that the AirTags are a "new means...
Apple is enhancing AirTags security to prevent stalking using the Bluetooth devices, Apple told CNET today. Apple is already sending out over-the-air updates to AirTags that will shorten the amount of time before an unknown AirTag alerts you if it is in your possession.
At the current time, AirTags play a sound after three days of being away from their owner. After the update, AirTags will...
Following the announcement of AirTags this week, Apple's VP of worldwide iPhone product marketing, Kaiann Drance, and Apple's senior director of sensing and connectivity, Ron Huang, spoke with Fast Company about the Tile-like tracker and its design and privacy.
Speaking about the design of AirTag, Drance says Apple wanted to create a simple yet unique design for the tracker, keeping in mind...
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But is Safari faster? ;)
OTOH, they could make it an option with a warning.