Non-replaceable battery
If you’ve ever found yourself searching for your remote or your child s favorite toy, the Tile Sticker ($39.99 for a two-pack) is for you. This tiny and low-cost tracker affixes to just about any non-porous surface and has a battery that will last for years. However, its limited range and spotty connectivity mean it s best suited for inexpensive items that you re most likely to misplace in your car or home. For just a few more dollars per tracker, go with the capable Tile Mate, or upgrade to the Tile Pro, our Editors Choice for Android-compatible trackers; both can be stuck onto objects with adhesive pads that Tile sells separately. If you have an iPhone, the Apple AirTag is your best bet.
Less durable than the Tile Pro
Apple’s new AirTag ($29) is getting a lot of attention, but Tile has been in the tracker game for many years. The Tile Mate ($24.99), which was revamped in 2020, comes in a close second to the Tile Pro ($34.99). The primary difference is the Mate s all-plastic body, which isn t quite as sturdy as the Pro s metal frame but is still pretty durable. The AirTag is our Editors Choice for iPhone users, and the Pro is our all-around top pick for Android, but the modestly priced Mate provides excellent value for money.
Design
The Mate is a small plastic square that measures 1.4 by 1.4 by 0.3 inches (HWD). It s slightly smaller than the Tile Pro, but it seems larger because it doesn t have tapered edges.
Apple explains why new Apple TV remote lacks AirTag — and it s not great tomsguide.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from tomsguide.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Macworld
AirTag review: Classic Apple, holes and all
The AirTag is a handy new Apple gadget, but it ll be even better in a year or two.
Removable battery is easy to change.
Easy to set up and track with Find My.
Inexpensive.
Our Verdict
The AirTag is an excellent entry to the Bluetooth tracker market, with simple set-up, easy tracking, and good privacy but it could be even better.
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Apple s new AirTag trackers are even smaller in person than they appear in pictures. Roughly the size of a half dollar coin or a button on an overcoat, the convex design makes it feel smaller than either of those things. And compared to the square Tile tracker, it s downright puny.
Marc Saltzman
Special to USA TODAY
You don’t consider yourself the forgetful type, yet somehow you can’t seem to find your smartphone on a daily basis.
It’s not unusual to misplace your car keys or reading glasses (which are on your head). And wasn’t your wallet on the kitchen counter a moment ago?
OK, so maybe you’ve had a lot on your mind, these days. After all, we’re still grappling with a global pandemic and not quite out of the woods yet.
The good news, however, is technology can help you find your stuff. From tiny trackers and handy apps to personal assistants that can lend a helping hand, today’s software and hardware might be all you need to locate everything from your car in a crowded mall parking lot to the TV remote stuck between sofa cushions.