Apple’s AirTag 2: Enhanced Range and Sound Elevate Item Tracking
Apple has unveiled the second-generation AirTag, nearly five years after the original’s debut in 2021. While the AirTag 2 maintains the familiar design of its predecessor, it introduces significant internal enhancements that refine the item-tracking experience.
Seamless Integration and User-Friendly Features
The AirTag 2 continues to offer effortless setup, integrating seamlessly with Apple’s extensive network of over a billion devices. This vast network enables the AirTag to broadcast its Bluetooth signal, allowing nearby Apple devices to detect and privately relay its location. Users can monitor their AirTag’s last known position via the Find My app, share its location with trusted contacts, and utilize features like playing a sound or engaging Precision Finding to locate misplaced items.
Enhanced Connectivity and Audible Alerts
A standout improvement in the AirTag 2 is its extended Bluetooth and ultra-wideband (UWB) range. This advancement allows users to establish a connection with the AirTag from greater distances, facilitating quicker and more reliable item retrieval. Additionally, the redesigned speaker emits a louder chime, making it easier to hear the alert even through obstacles like walls and floors. In practical tests, the AirTag 2’s chime was audible from a diagonally opposite upstairs bedroom, a feat the original model couldn’t achieve. The enhanced UWB range also makes Precision Finding more effective, providing accurate directions to the AirTag from up to 35 feet away indoors, even through walls.
Precision Finding on Apple Watch
The AirTag 2 introduces the capability to use Precision Finding directly from the Apple Watch Series 9 or later, eliminating the need for an iPhone. However, this feature requires adding a dedicated widget for each AirTag in the Control Center, which may be cumbersome for users with multiple AirTags. Notably, the Find Items app on the Apple Watch does not currently support Precision Finding, indicating potential areas for software refinement.
Design Considerations and Accessory Compatibility
Physically, the AirTag 2 mirrors its predecessor, ensuring compatibility with existing holders and accessories. However, the absence of a built-in attachment point means users still need additional accessories to attach the AirTag to items like keyrings. While this design choice maintains consistency, incorporating a built-in attachment method could enhance convenience in future iterations.
Conclusion
The AirTag 2 builds upon the solid foundation of the original, offering improved connectivity, louder alerts, and expanded functionality. These enhancements make it a valuable tool for anyone looking to keep track of their belongings more efficiently. The AirTag 2 is available for purchase individually or in packs, providing flexible options for users seeking to integrate this advanced tracking technology into their daily lives.
