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Review / Apple AirTag: do you really need them? The cute wireless tracker gadget will help find valuables and lost keys with the Find My app

Apple has unveiled its AirTag, a way to track valuable items using the Find My app. Photo: Apple
Apple has unveiled its AirTag, a way to track valuable items using the Find My app. Photo: Apple

  • Key ring, bag charm or luggage tag? The versatile Apple AirTag helps you track your valuables – and can be accessorised with luxury Hermès leather cases
  • Prices start at US$29, but you’ll need the all-new iOS 14.5 to connect, and the ultra-wideband Precision Finding only works with iPhone 11 and 12 models

I have to confess that the new Apple AirTag has managed to surprise even me. When rumours were flying about an “airtag” in the making, many (me included) immediately assumed that its main use was for tracking your luggage. On further thought, it didn’t seem to be very practical, especially if you were in one country and your luggage was in another.

The Apple AirTag sports a whimsical engraved emoji. Photo: Apple
The Apple AirTag sports a whimsical engraved emoji. Photo: Apple
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Fast forward to this week when Apple dropped off the AirTag for review and the multiple possibilities finally dawned on me. Although Apple stresses that the AirTag is not meant for tracking pets and people, especially without permission in the case of the latter, you can bet that pet owners will be adorning their pets with an AirTag.

About a year ago, a good friend of mine was taking her two cats to her brother’s flat because she was going to be out of town. In the car park, one of the anxious felines struggled free and leapt away into the dark.

My friend was frantic but the car park was huge and she didn’t know where to even start looking. After an hour’s search with her brother’s family, she had to accept defeat and call an animal psychic. Long story short, another hour later, she found her shivering kitten hiding on top of the tyre of a nearby car. Now, looking at the tiny AirTag lying on my desk, I can’t help but think how much angst would have been saved had the little thing had one of them on his collar, whatever Apple says about its intentions.

Found you! The phone tells you when you have located the AirTag. Photo: Chow Kwok-wang
Found you! The phone tells you when you have located the AirTag. Photo: Chow Kwok-wang
 The AirTag is about the size of a HK$5 coin and can be conveniently slipped into a small wallet. Apple also has a selection of cases for it to be used as a key ring, bag charm or a luggage tag. And if that isn’t bling enough, Apple’s collaboration with Hermès allows the rich and fashionable to fork out between US$299 to US$449 for their US$29 AirTag.