AirTags are a new line of high-tech, connected luggage from Samsonite that allows travelers to tag their belongings with GPS coordinates and share them across social media. The tags also have built-in battery power, Bluetooth connectivity and Wi-Fi for mobile device communication.
The “apple airtags” are the ultimate traveling companion. They’re small, light, and can be attached to anything. They’re also compatible with all of Apple’s devices.
We’re just a week away from Thanksgiving, and the holiday season is in full swing. It’s a hectic time, whether you’re buying for loved ones or friends, or getting ready to vacation.
To be honest, I’m very good at strategically losing things — or, to put it another way, losing something in style. (I hope you get the allusion to “Toy Story.”) So, whenever a product that is a great method to keep track of my possessions — particularly while traveling — I add it to my travel bag.
Apple’s $29 item tracker, named AirTag, has long been a favorite of mine. While the AirTag item tracker isn’t the first of its kind, it does have two crucial characteristics that set it apart from the competition and make it the perfect travel companion: access to the Find My network and Precision Finding technology.
But what makes it unique? Let’s look at why that is, and why this product would make a terrific Christmas stuffer for the frequent traveler in your life.
The ideal traveling buddy
The Apple AirTag is the ideal companion for your next adventure. Because of its versatility and compactness, you’ll never lose track of your luggage when out and about.
The AirTag runs on Apple’s Find My network, which is the most critical thing to know about it. Find My is powered by the same network that powers your iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Apple Watch, AirPods, and Mac. It’s a program that allows you to track down your device’s precise location and even plays a tone to help you find it.
The item tracker also has an advantage due to the network’s sheer magnitude. Over a billion gadgets are linked to the Find My network. So, if you’re wandering through an airport with an AirTag in your baggage, the devices that make up that network can ping it and locate your location on a map. It’s more reliable and faster to update than a competitor Tile tracker in our tests.
Now, having so many devices around in a congested place like an airport — say, Newark Liberty International (EWR) or New York–Kennedy (JFK) — allows for frequent position updates for your AirTag, providing for more precise location monitoring. In the case of a rural New Jersey location against New York City, the reverse is true. The more devices your AirTag can connect to, the more precise and up-to-date its position will be.
To use AirTag, you’ll need an iPhone. You may name it and link it to your Apple ID by holding it near your iPhone and following the on-screen instructions. Apple has been delivering updates to address some frequent difficulties with smart trackers in terms of privacy. You’ll be informed if your iPhone detects an unregistered AirTag near you, as well as if you leave without an AirTag that is registered to you.
CNN/Jacob Krol
I travelled from Newark to Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) during my first testing of AirTag, and it was a fantastic experience. As I checked my bags, I put an AirTag in the inner pocket and said my goodbyes. I had one on a leather loop on my bag as well.
I was able to locate “Jake’s Luggage” on a map using the Find My app on my iPhone. My baggage was still in the entrance of Newark Airport, which I could see in real time. While I didn’t have a direct line of sight to my baggage, I felt at ease knowing it was on its way to meet me at my ultimate destination.
And, sure enough, the baggage was closer to the plane when I checked it later at the gate. I could see that the baggage was securely beneath me and a bit farther down in the plane’s cargo hold by the time I boarded and was in my seat sporting a pair of AirPods Max – it felt like I got a better seat than my suitcase. While airplane mode is necessary on board, I could see the baggage AirTag changing in real time as we flew over the East Coast of the United States.
Finally, the AirTag provided me with peace of mind throughout the journey, which was much more than I had previously experienced while flying. My stress levels were considerably reduced thanks to the $29 AirTag addition. When it was time to disembark and make my way through PBI to baggage claim, I used the Find My app to keep track of my belongings. As I strolled around a fairly quiet airport, it took a little longer to update, but I was able to get the sense that my luggage was on the ground.
CNN/Jacob Krol
While I had anticipated the carousel would be complicated enough to need Precision Finding, I was able to locate my red Away bag very instantly. Precision Finding on an iPhone 11 or later employs augmented reality (AR) to provide enormous directional arrows and distances to help you locate your AirTag. It’s incredible, and it’s a game changer for item trackers to be able to deliver such exact precision.
Whether you really want to make the AirTag the perfect travel companion, see if your airline has any luggage-tracking services of its own. Delta, for example, will keep track of your luggage and notify you through its Android or iOS app. You may use it to follow the luggage associated with your itinerary as they are scanned at various points along the road and make their way through the airport and onto the aircraft.
AirTag paired with an airline’s bag-tracking app feels like a superpower from the moment you drop off your suitcase at check-in until it’s put into the aircraft and then onto the baggage claim carousel.
CNN/Jacob Krol
What is the AirTag’s only flaw? The lack of a built-in key ring hole, as seen on the Chipolo and Tile trackers, is a flaw. Keep in mind that if you’re going to spend $29 on a tracker, you’ll want to acquire an attachment to make it travel-friendly.
You don’t need an extra attachment if you have a pocket or a safe place to slip the AirTag inside your baggage. However, since it will be tied to your baggage, we believe it is worthwhile to invest in a keychain or loop accessory. We’ve gathered a variety of AirTags accessories, including lanyards, keychains, and even some that you can personalize.
The Belkin Secure AirTag Holder is one of our favorites, since it physically clamps the AirTag and prevents it from falling out. It will cost between $9.99 and $12.99, which is far less than Apple’s leather keychain or loop.
The ideal AirTag companion
You don’t want to lose your AirTag in your baggage if you’re traveling with one. Consider using this secure AirTag holder to keep your AirTag safe and secure on your backpack.
While I haven’t misplaced my baggage with an AirTag attached, I have used it on many travels and have one on my keys at all times. The AirTag makes a lot of sense if you’re skilled at losing things in style or have a tendency of misplacing stuff — and you have an iPhone. And when you’re making last-minute preparations for holiday travel, it’s worth it to invest a little extra and acquire an AirTag just for peace of mind.
If you’re visiting relatives, you can acquire four AirTags for $97.62 if you want to give them as gifts. If not, you can acquire one for $29.99.
AirTags are perfect for the entire family.
Consider purchasing a four-pack of AirTags to ensure that everyone in your family can monitor their luggage over the Christmas travel season.
If you’re looking for a travel credit card, you’ve come to the right place. Discover which credit cards CNN Underscored selected as the top travel credit cards for 2021.
AirTags are the ultimate traveling companion. They are lightweight, easy to use, and have a long battery life. If you are looking for something that is worth it without precision finding, AirTags are what you should be using. Reference: are airtags worth it without precision finding.
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