Category Archives: Locator Beacon

Episode 220, Apple and Google lead initiative for an industry specification to address unwanted tracking by location devices

AirTags, Apple, Apple Watch, Locator Beacon, safety, security, Technology, , , , , , , , ,

In this episode we will discuss Apple and Google leading and initiative for an industry specification to address unwanted tracking by location devices.

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Episode 144, Apple’s Sept. 14 Keynote announced; RECCO, ‘twICEme’ iPhone App uses technology to bring bike helmets to a digital level of safety

Apple, Apple Maps, Apple Watch, fitness, health, Locator Beacon, medical, safety, Technology, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , ,

In this episode, we will bypass the speculation nonsense, other than making sure you know about the Tuesday, September 14 Apple Keynote.  It’s at 10 am PDT streaming live, and will be available later.   We are expecting to see several new models of the iPhone, an AppleWatch and other hardware and software announcements.  There are plenty of stories already out there, but I’d rather spend the time on a topic more meaningful.   We will save that coverage for a Tuesday evening special Mac Minutes Podcast when we know the facts.  I’d encourage you to tune into the keynote and come back for our analysis.  This week I want to talk about a major step forward for biking safety, especially for those of us who venture out alone. I purchased this new bike helmet which came out this year, specifically the POC Kortal Race MIPS Bike Helmet. It has tons of structural safety features but the technology is what sold me.

The RECCO Search and Rescue (SAR ) detector can overlarge areas fast. From a height of 100 meters covering a search area of approx. 100 meters wide, the SAR enables rescuers to search 1 square kilometer within 6 minutes.
Mountain-biking wearing the POC Kortal MIPS Race helmet.
Photo of the Kortal Race MIPS helmet equipped with RECCO rescue reflector. The helmet retails for $250.  a 10% discount is available on their website
twICEme is the digital application on the Apple App Store that integrates vital ICE information into equipment, such as an equipped bike helmet.

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Episode 127, Hands-on Tracker Comparison: Tile Slim versus Apple AirTag

AirTags, Apple, Apple Maps, iPhone, Locator Beacon, Technology, Uncategorized, , , , , ,

In this episode, we will give an overview of the new Apple AirTag and discuss the differences between Apple’s new AirTag and the tried-and-true Tile Slim.  This will hopefully give you some insight of what tracker you may want to choose for your valuables.

AirTag is a small and elegantly designed accessory that can be personalized with free engraving, and enables iPhone users to securely locate and keep track of their valuables using the Find My app. (Graphic courtesy of Apple Inc.)
Put Slim in tight spaces like your wallet, passport case or luggage tag and use our free app to find them. Keep track of more for less with our multi-packs or give them to your friends and family as a gift. The Tile Slim has a 200 ft. Bluetooth range and is as thin as two credit cards. There is up to a 3-year built-in battery and is waterproof. Tile is also compatible with Android, Windows and iOS platforms. (Graphic courtesy of Tile Inc.)

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Episode 124, Apple’s virtual event introduces AirTags, along with new iPad Pro, iMac and Apple TV 4K

AirTags, Apple, Apple Maps, Computers, iPhone, Locator Beacon, Technology, Uncategorized, , , , , , , ,

In this episode, we will discuss Apple’s introduction of AirTags which were part of a virtual event on Tuesday, April 20th which brought new colorful iMacs, iPad Pro equipped with an M1 chip, and an Apple TV 4K with remote. We will start with AirTags today and cover the remainder of the refreshed devices in upcoming episodes.  More information can be found at Mac Minutes Podcast.  (Graphics courtesy of Apple Inc.)

AirTag is a small and elegantly designed accessory that can be personalized with free engraving, and enables iPhone users to securely locate and keep track of their valuables using the Find My app.
AirTag can be placed into a bag or pocket on its own, or utilized with a wide range of Apple-designed AirTag accessories, with personalized free engraving including text and a selection of emoji.
Precision Finding with AirTag fuses input from the camera, ARKit, accelerometer, and gyroscope on iPhone to provide a more precise, directionally aware finding experience.

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Episode 122, Apple’s Find My network now offers new third-party finding experiences and new products

Apple, Apple Maps, Computers, Locator Beacon, Technology, Uncategorized, , , , , ,

In this episode, we discuss Apple’s announcement this week of the Find My network accessory program enabling users to keep track of their belongings in the new Items tab within the Find My application and some of the new products being introduced.  Product manufacturers are VanMoof e-bikes, Belkin SOUNDFORM Freedom True Wireless Earbuds, and Chipolo ONE Spot item finder.  More about the Mac Minutes Podcast can be found at the following link.  (Graphics courtesy of Apple Inc.)

The Find My network accessory program enables users to keep track of their belongings in the new Items tab within the Find My app. When an item has gone missing but is nearby, users can play a sound on their Find My-enabled product to pinpoint its location.
Chipolo s launching their special edition Chipolo ONE Spot, which works exclusively with Apple’s Find My network and the Find My app. This means that users can pair the Chipolo ONE Spot to the Find My app on their iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac to track and findtheir lost belongings using the vast Find My network, made up of hundreds of millions of Apple devices around the world.

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