This Backpack Will Support Apple's 'Find My' Location Tracking Without an AirTag
Accessory maker Targus this week announced that its Cypress Hero EcoSmart Backpack with built-in support for Apple's Find My app has been named a CES 2022 Innovation Awards Honoree ahead of the annual tech event in Las Vegas.
The backpack is equipped with a small tracking module that allows the backpack's location to be tracked in the Find My app on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch without needing to use an AirTag. Based on an image shown on the CES website, it appears the backpack will support Precision Finding, which allows users with an iPhone 11 or newer to see the exact distance and direction to the backpack with audible, visual, and haptic feedback. Apple opened up the U1 chip to third-party accessories earlier this year.
If the backpack is separated from its owner but outside of Bluetooth range, there is still a chance that the crowdsourced Find My network can help track it down. If another iPhone user happens to walk by the backpack, for example, their iPhone can detect Bluetooth signals from the backpack and relay the location back to its owner anonymously.
Targus said the backpack has a padded compartment that can hold up to a 16-inch MacBook Pro, and several other compartments and pockets for additional devices and personal items. The "equivalent of 26 plastic water bottles in recycled materials" were used in producing each backpack, the company added.
The backpack is slated for retail availability in spring 2022, but pricing has yet to be disclosed. CES 2022 takes place January 5-8 in Las Vegas and online.
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Top Rated Comments
"With the iOS 15.2 beta that was released today, Apple has added enhancements to the Find My ('https://www.macrumors.com/guide/find-my-network-accessory-program/')app. There's a new feature that's designed to let users scan for AirTags ('https://www.macrumors.com/guide/airtags/') or Find My-enabled items that might be tracking them.
When opening the Find My app after installing the beta and going to the "Items" tab, there's an option for "Items That Can Track Me." Tapping on this allows users to search for nearby items that might be used to track their location.
When activated, the Unknown Items feature scans for anything that's nearby, and will let users know either way if there's a device that belongs to someone else nearby. If an item is detected, Apple offers instructions on how to disable the device so that it can no longer be used for tracking purposes."
In the bike and the rucksacks case, clearly the use case is anti-theft rather than loosing it. But it's not clear if these items would self-alert to the thief.