Tag: Apple AirTag

  • TimeCapsule Extends Apple AirTag Battery Life to 5 Years with IP69

    TimeCapsule Extends Apple AirTag Battery Life to 5 Years with IP69

    Key Takeaways

    1. Elevation Lab launched a new TimeCapsule for the Apple AirTag, now using two AAA batteries instead of two AA batteries.
    2. The new design reduces the size of the case by 50%, but battery life is cut to five years, which is still longer than typical CR2032 batteries.
    3. For optimal performance, it’s recommended to use Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries and avoid alkaline batteries.
    4. The TimeCapsule has an IP69 certification for water resistance, outperforming the AirTag’s IP67 rating.
    5. The Elevation Lab TimeCapsule is priced at $19.99 and available for purchase on the manufacturer’s online store.


    In December 2024, Elevation Lab launched a TimeCapsule designed for the Apple AirTag, boasting a ten-year battery life. However, it was quite bulky since it utilized two AA batteries. Now, the company has come out with a new version that operates on two smaller AAA batteries instead.

    Size and Battery Life Changes

    This transition reduces the overall size of the case by fifty percent, but it also cuts the battery life down to five years. Still, this duration is five times longer than the usual CR2032 lithium coin cell battery that usually powers the Apple AirTag. For the best battery performance, Elevation Lab suggests using Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries. It’s important to steer clear of alkaline batteries. Their higher self-discharge rates and slightly lower voltage mean that rechargeable batteries will probably give a shorter battery life.

    Water Resistance and Durability

    Beyond its impressive battery longevity, the TimeCapsule has another benefit: its case is IP69 certified, allowing it to resist water damage. In contrast, an AirTag generally only has an IP67 rating. This means that an AirTag placed inside a TimeCapsule can be used for tracking wet luggage on boats more effectively.

    The Elevation Lab TimeCapsule for the Apple AirTag can be purchased from the manufacturer’s online store for $19.99.

    Source:
    Link


     

  • boAt TAG Launches in India with Google Find My Device at Rs 1,299

    boAt TAG Launches in India with Google Find My Device at Rs 1,299

    Key Takeaways

    1. The boAt TAG is a semi real-time global location tracking device that helps users find items like wallets and keys using Google’s Find My Device technology.

    2. It features an 80-decibel alarm to locate items within a 10-meter range and includes privacy features such as unknown tracker alerts.

    3. The device has a battery life of one year and comes with an extra battery unit in the box.

    4. The boAt TAG is priced at 1,299 INR and will be available for purchase on February 24, 2025, on the company’s website and Flipkart.

    5. It is designed to work with Android devices and is positioned as a budget-friendly alternative to Samsung and Apple smart tag trackers.


    boAt has just launched its own smart tag in India. The new tracker, named boAt TAG, functions similarly to the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag and the Apple AirTag. Now, let’s dive into its specifications, features, pricing, and more.

    boAt TAG Specifications

    The boAt TAG is presented as a semi real-time global location tracking device. This handy gadget enables users to monitor essential items like wallets, keys, and others with the help of Google’s Find My Device technology. The smart tag operates using BLE and includes an 80-decibel alarm to assist in locating items. However, this feature only works if the item is within a 10-meter distance.

    Privacy Features of boAt TAG

    For those who worry about privacy, the device comes with unknown tracker alerts that enhance security and help prevent unwanted tracking by notifying users. The boAt TAG boasts a battery life of one year, and an additional battery unit is included in the box. This model is designed to work with Android devices.

    Pricing and Release Date

    The well-known wearable tech brand has introduced the boAt TAG in a single black color. The device is priced at 1,299 INR as part of its launch promotional offer, and the company also provides a one-year warranty. It will be available for purchase on the company’s official website and on Flipkart starting February 24, 2025, at 12 PM IST. This makes it a more budget-friendly option compared to Samsung and Apple’s smart tag trackers. This launch follows the company’s announcement of the boAt Nirvana X TWS in the same region.

  • Apple Faces Growing Legal Storm: 36 More Plaintiffs Join AirTag Stalking Lawsuit

    Apple Faces Growing Legal Storm: 36 More Plaintiffs Join AirTag Stalking Lawsuit

    The legal quagmire for tech giant Apple is deepening as 36 additional plaintiffs from 20 US states have joined a class-action lawsuit concerning the misuse of Apple’s AirTags for stalking purposes. The lawsuit, initially filed in December, accuses Apple of negligence for failing to incorporate adequate anti-stalking safeguards before launching AirTags. The total count of individuals, not including unnamed class members, now stands at 38 as the amended complaint brings new accusations to light, painting a grim picture of the real-world dangers posed by the misuse of AirTags​1​.

    A Trail of Terror

    Apple’s AirTags, despite their primary function to help users locate misplaced items, have become tools of terror in the hands of stalkers. The size of a large coin, AirTags employ Bluetooth broadcasting technology to link with nearby Apple devices, registering their location on Apple’s FindMy network. This feature, while innovative, has become a double-edged sword. The lawsuit highlights how the ubiquity of Apple devices in the US amplifies the risk, making it nearly impossible for individuals being stalked to escape the 30-foot reach of AirTags, even if they do not own an Apple device themselves​1​.

    Disturbingly, since the original filing, there has been an “explosion of reporting” concerning AirTag stalking cases. In Tulsa, Oklahoma alone, police have investigated 19 cases involving AirTags, many of which ended in violence. The amended complaint also links multiple instances of AirTag tracking directly to tragic outcomes, including murders. For instance, one woman was murdered by her boyfriend after discovering and removing an AirTag he had hidden in her car. In another horrifying event, a 61-year-old theft victim was murdered after tracking stolen vehicles equipped with AirTags to the thieves’ locations​1​.

    A Call for Accountability

    The outcry for accountability grows louder as the victims and their families seek justice. The nearly 100-page-long amended complaint adds a myriad of victim accounts, illustrating the far-reaching implications of this technology gone awry. In one case, an AirTag was found sewn into a stuffed teddy bear among objects recovered from an ex-partner’s home. In another, a woman was unable to sell her car due to multiple undiscovered AirTags, which mechanics failed to locate​1​.

    As Apple finds itself under the legal microscope, the allegations underscore a pressing need for tech companies to prioritize user safety and privacy over innovation. The lawsuit, now bolstered by a growing roster of plaintiffs, sends a strong message about the dire consequences when technology is misused and inadequately safeguarded against potential threats.

    Sources: