The best Apple AirTag alternatives: Never lose your keys again
Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
Apple AirTags are helpful if you’re an iPhone owner who needs to find lost keys or bags. But what if you’re an Android user or don’t like Apple’s approach to Bluetooth locators? Don’t fret. We’ve rounded up some of the best AirTag alternatives to give you meaningful choices for finding your gear. $29 .00
Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
If you’re looking for one of the most direct AirTag alternatives, it doesn’t get much closer than Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTag and SmartTag Plus.
Set up and design Lisa Eadicicco/Insider
AirTags are just as easy to set up as AirPods, which means you barely have to do anything at all to get started.
The moment you pull the tab on the back of an AirTag to remove its wrapping, your phone recognizes the device, making the setup process more seamless than that of other similar tags.
I like this for two reasons. Not only does it make the setup process simple, but it also ensures it s intentional. If for some reason you re unboxing an AirTag that isn t yours say, as a gift it won t just pair instantly the second you bring it close to your phone.
Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTag Plus with UWB to track items with AR is out April 16th
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Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTag Plus, the souped-up version of the company’s Tile-like SmartTag Bluetooth tracker (which was released earlier this year), now has a release date: it’ll be out on April 16th for $39.99.
That’s a $10 price increase over the standard SmartTag, which runs for $29.99 but the SmartTag Plus has one notable improvement. It features an ultra-wideband (UWB) radio, allowing users to track it more accurately when it’s nearby than the standard Bluetooth setup. The UWB radio actually enables a new AR mode, which can help show users exactly where their missing tag is.
Credit: Samsung
The Galaxy SmartTag Plus is an upgraded version of the company s $29.99 tracking tag that it launched in January. At the time, the company also that teased the updated UWB-equipped version would be coming later in 2021.
To be able to use the UWB capabilities, users will be a compatible Samsung device like a Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, Galaxy S21 Plus, Galaxy S21 Ultra, or Galaxy Z Fold 2. Users will be able to get much more accurate location information with the UWB support, and Samsung has also included some augmented reality features for easier locating.
Compared to standard Bluetooth-based item tracking, UWB will allow for much more accurate and precise location information particularly if used indoors. Beyond UWB support, the SmartTag Plus works pretty much the same way as its cheaper counterpart. Like Apple s Find My network, users will be able to leverage Galaxy devices to help track missing objects.
Samsung s new tracker can help you find objects with your camera
Apr 8, 2021 14:00 EDT with 8 comments
Samsung has announced an upgraded version of the SmartTag tracker that was introduced alongside the Galaxy S21, called the SmartTag+. Item trackers like the SmartTag+ can be attached to items like handbags or keychains so you can locate them using your phone.
In the case of the SmartTag+, not only does it come with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connectivity, it also supports Ultra Wide Band (UWB), thus offering more accuracy with its tracking abilities. Only a few phones in Samsung s lineup support UWB, though, specifically the Galaxy Note20 Ultra, Galaxy S21+, S21 Ultra, and Z Fold2.