Apple Announces New AirTag

Apple today announced its long-awaited AirTag update, adding Ultra Wideband (UWB), better finding precision, longer Bluetooth range, and a louder speaker. But the device retains its awkward round shape and remains expensive compared to rivals.

“Powered by the strength of the Find My network, AirTag allows users to keep tabs on their belongings every single day,” the Apple announcement explains. “AirTag is designed exclusively for tracking objects and offers industry-leading protections against unwanted tracking. It is available today for the same price as its predecessor.”

New features and other improvements include:

UWB support and improved Bluetooth. Thanks to its built-in UWB support and an upgraded Bluetooth chip, the new AirTag can be found up to 50 percent further away than before. The new AirTag provides haptic, visual, and audio feedback, and it supports Precision Finding on Apple Watch (Series 9 and newer) for the first time.

Louder speaker. Thanks to a new internal design, the new AirTag is up to 50 percent louder than its predecessor, helping users hear it up to twice as far away. Paired with Precision Finding and a “distinctive new chime,” it will be easier to find a lost device.

Share Item Location support. The new AirTags support the Share Item Location feature in Find My so that users can temporarily share the device’s location with airlines and other trusted parties. Over 50 airlines support this feature, and Apple says it has helped reduce baggage delays by 26 percent and lost or unrecoverable luggage incidents by over 90 percent.

Improved security. The AirTag builds on the security features provided by the previous version by adding cross-platform alerts and unique Bluetooth identifiers that change frequently.

The new AirTag is available now for $29.99 or in a four-pack for $99.99. You can learn more on the Apple website.