Apple launches new AirTag with longer range and louder alerts
Apple has rolled out a new version of its item tracker, the AirTag, with a few upgrades aimed at making lost items easier to find. The new AirTag is available starting today and costs the same as before: Rs 3,790 for one, or Rs 12,900 for a pack of four.
The main improvement is range. Apple is using its newer Ultra Wideband chip on the AirTag, which already shows up in recent iPhones and Apple Watches. Precision Finding now kicks in from farther away than before, so instead of only helping when you’re already very close, the AirTag can start guiding you earlier. Bluetooth range has also been extended, which should help when an item is left behind in a bigger space like an airport or a parking lot.
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Apple has also made the AirTag louder. The built-in speaker is now about 50 percent louder than the older model, which should make it easier to hear when it’s buried under a pile of clothes or stuck between couch cushions. Another small but useful change is that Precision Finding now works on newer Apple Watches as well, so you don’t always need to pull out your phone to locate something.
The Find My network is still doing most of the work. If an AirTag goes out of Bluetooth range, nearby Apple devices can help report its location back to you, without anyone else seeing your details. Apple is also pushing the Share Item Location feature harder, especially for travel. You can temporarily share an AirTag’s location with airlines if your luggage goes missing, and Apple says more than 50 airlines already support this. According to industry data, this has helped reduce delayed and permanently lost bags.
On privacy, nothing changes, and that’s a good thing. Location data stays encrypted, AirTags don’t store movement history, and alerts are built in to reduce the risk of unwanted tracking. This is still one area where Apple has an edge over trackers like Tile or Samsung’s SmartTag.
The AirTag itself looks the same as before, which means all existing keyrings and accessories still fit. Apple has also made a point of using more recycled materials this time around.
If you’re already on an iPhone and tend to misplace keys, bags, or luggage, AirTag remains the easiest tracker to live with. If you already own an AirTag, the upgrade makes sense mainly if range or volume bothered you earlier. And if you’re on Android, alternatives like Tile make more sense.
