Sketchers lets parents hide an AirTag in kids shoes
Sketchers has introduced a version of its Kids footwear line with support for AirTag so parents can keep track of the shoes -- and the child wearing them.
Sketchers Kids can now have a compartment to hide an AirTag - Image Credit: Sketchers
AirTag is often used to keep track of animals and sometimes small children, by adding the tracker to a bag or in a pocket. Now, Sketchers is helping parents do just that using shoes.
The Sketchers Kids range now includes a feature known as "Find My Sketchers," referring to Apple's app for tracking down misplaced hardware and AirTags. This is handled by a small compartment in the heel of the shoe, hiding an AirTag under the insole.
The compartment includes a reinforced screw-tight cover, as well as a lift-up air-cooled Goga Mat breathable insole to cushion the user's heel.
This is not the first time that electronic inserts can be placed inside shoes and connect to Apple hardware. The Nike+iPod Sport Kit used a small puck sensor that could fit inside specially-designed shoes, again to help users work out.
While the feature is obviously intended for parents to know where their kids are at almost all times, Sketchers' website describing the feature stops short. Instead, it is careful to say that it will let parents know where "your kid's shoes" are within the Find My app.
Even Apple doesn't market the AirTags as a way to track people, and it's even gone out of the way to include anti-stalking measures to prevent that from happening. However, it's less of an issue in this case.
The current range of shoes, under the "Go Run" range, are designed to be used from toddler age up to "big kids" sizes, or up to a typical ten-year-old's shoe size.
Apple's anti-stalking measures kick in if an AirTag owned by someone else is detected to be moving with the user. Since the wearer of the Sketcher Kids shoes are probably not going to be owners of an iPhone, or will be accompanied by the person who bought the shoes and owns the AirTag in the first place, it is unlikely to be triggered in this way.
Other than the AirTag compartment, the Find My Sketchers styles use a mesh and synthetic upper, stretch laces with an adjustable instep strap, and a durable rubber insole. They are also machine-washable, though it is unclear if the user will have to remove the AirTag before cleaning them.
The Find My Sketchers collection starts from $52, rising to $58.
Check your school's rules on trackers before you send them wearing these. Many schools consider AirTag to be a "smart device" and may not allow them in the front door.
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