First AirTag orders arrive two days early
Though AirTag is not due to arrive in customer hands until Friday, some lucky buyers are beginning to receive their pack of four trackers days ahead schedule.
Source: MacRumors
At least two customers who purchased Apple's AirTag four-pack from Best Buy took receipt of the item on Wednesday. One person promptly unboxed the device for a few obligatory photos sent to both MacRumors and 9to5Mac.
Not all orders placed through Best Buy are arriving early, and the shipping mistake is likely the result of carriers not heeding Apple's usual delivery restrictions for launch products. The tech giant typically requires shipping companies to hold newly released products for delivery to ensure both online and in-store orders arrive on the same day.
Apple announced the long-awaited AirTag at its "Spring Loaded" special event on April 20. The $29 tracker features a speaker, Bluetooth, NFC and U1 chip for broad Find My network discovery and precision finding with compatible iPhones. One of the few Apple products to boast a user-replaceable battery, the accessory is designed to attach to bags, keychains and other commonly lost items, where it can serve as a homing beacon for up to a year.
Preorders for the device kicked off last Friday, with initial stock quickly selling out. Current orders see ship times pushed back into May, while engraving adds another month to the process.
Source: MacRumors
At least two customers who purchased Apple's AirTag four-pack from Best Buy took receipt of the item on Wednesday. One person promptly unboxed the device for a few obligatory photos sent to both MacRumors and 9to5Mac.
Not all orders placed through Best Buy are arriving early, and the shipping mistake is likely the result of carriers not heeding Apple's usual delivery restrictions for launch products. The tech giant typically requires shipping companies to hold newly released products for delivery to ensure both online and in-store orders arrive on the same day.
Apple announced the long-awaited AirTag at its "Spring Loaded" special event on April 20. The $29 tracker features a speaker, Bluetooth, NFC and U1 chip for broad Find My network discovery and precision finding with compatible iPhones. One of the few Apple products to boast a user-replaceable battery, the accessory is designed to attach to bags, keychains and other commonly lost items, where it can serve as a homing beacon for up to a year.
Preorders for the device kicked off last Friday, with initial stock quickly selling out. Current orders see ship times pushed back into May, while engraving adds another month to the process.
Comments
Good news on the orders being early, cannot wait to order mine on pay day!
I’m just saying it would make for an awesome first impression, but if it’s technically impossible, no big deal.
Apple AirTag is a well-designed product that brings powerful features. If you are using the latest two generations of iPhone, UWB tracking and “Find My” application will be very good. (https://uhomegadgets.com/smart-gadgets/)
Pros
And as far as "tracking your order", if people expect that type of tracking with these, then they are going to be extremely disappointed. These generally have 20'-30' open air range with bluetooth. Airplane shipping would show no tracking activity. Probably loading/unloading at an airport or semi trailer would show no movement. Even the UPS/FedEx delivery vehicle, with all the boxes, and the driver must have an iPhone, will probably show no tracking.
What's the point?
Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTag+ has many built-in smart features, including smart home controls. By using the extensive SmartThings search network, you can quickly find lost items. However, UWB is currently limited to the latest Galaxy series phones.
Apple AirTag is a well-designed product that brings powerful features. If you are using the latest two generations of iPhone, UWB tracking and “Find My” application will be very good.
Pros
Cons
Apple AirTag is a well-designed product that brings powerful features. If you are using the latest two generations of iPhone, UWB tracking and “Find My” application will be very good.
Pros
Compact designLower cost of entryIP67 weather-resistanceApple’s U1 chip and UWB for precise location
Cons
In today’s busy lifestyle, things can easily make us at a loss. From car keys to luggage, and more, things can be misplaced. This is the technology that both Samsung and Apple use Bluetooth LE and Ultra Wideband (UWB) to make their trackers more accurate and fully functional.
Although the figures of the two are relatively small, AirTag has indeed achieved the top spot. Disc-shaped trackers are generally about a quarter of an inch smaller and thinner at the same time, and connecting them to a set of keys seems to make a difference of only a minute, that is, less is more. If you lose those keys that may be exposed to the rain, you will have IP67 weather resistance to ensure that your AirTag can still help you find them.
On the other hand, Samsung did manage to take advantage of the extra space by integrating smart home controls into SmartTag+. Samsung has one of the best smart home hubs that can support thousands of products. With just one click of SmartTag+, you can remotely control these devices. Although Samsung’s tracker does have IP53 water resistance, it is not as durable as AirTag.
Like most things, when it comes to Apple vs. Android and the products available for each product, it can largely be attributed to the ecosystem you are in. If you are fully focused on Apple, then AirTag will be a more suitable choice, while Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+ is the opposite. Apple has a larger network of devices compatible with the “Find My” app, while AirTag is cheaper and more weather resistant.
However, Samsung is rapidly expanding the availability of the SmartThings Find network for use with more devices. Currently, you can use it to locate mobile phones, Galaxy Tablet, Galaxy Buds Pro and Galaxy Watch 3, and more. SmartTag+ performs outstanding functions well, it comes with a built-in loop for additional items and smart home control, and functions can be added directly. In the end, both will be great products only when you use the right equipment.
Airtag accessories: AirTag Secure Holder with Key Ring (https://uhomegadgets.com/smart-gadgets/)
Samsung abandoned their first SmartThings controllers - you now have to buy a 3rd party or give up your SmartThings automation. That's a great way to treat customers.
Samsung != Android. Samsung's "SmartThings Find" network, as you state it, only works with Samsung devices - maybe you stated it wrong? There are fewer Samsung devices, than Android, and much less than iOS/iPadOS.
You forgot to mention the price of the Samsung tags - IIRC, they are more expensive than Apples... That's not in your chart. I paid $25 each for 4 x Apple AirTags.