Apple’s long-rumored AirTags trackers could be launched alongside a wide range of third-party accessories, where retailer records and photos released in a place of MacRumors are correct. EBay and Etsy sellers and even Walmart are already selling keychains to attach trackers to a set of keys. The images with the apparent silicone straps have also leaked, showing how trackers could be linked to larger objects.
After rumors have been circulating for more than a year, Apple’s Tile fans are expected to be officially announced later today at its Spring Loaded event. Reports indicate that the trackers themselves will be small discs equipped with Bluetooth chips and ultra-wideband, which users can track with Apple’s Find My app. At this point, they’ve been running pretty much everywhere: iOS code, analyst reports, and even a support video from Apple.
While there is no guarantee that these accessory manufacturers will work with the official information provided by Apple, these leaks provide a good indication of how they intend to support the trackers once they are official. Previous leaks from January on AirTags accessories from Nomad and Spigen sub-brand Cyrill follow.
Apple’s approach to attaching AirTags to personal things is different from Tile, its main competitor in space. Tile produces trackers in a variety of different form factors, depending on what they are designed to track, whether it is a credit card-shaped device for a wallet or a tracker with a hole designed to go on a key ring. Instead, Apple seems to produce only one form factor and relies on accessories to attach it to your goods. It’s an interesting difference that could make Apple trackers more versatile, although easily adapted to certain cases.
The Apple Spring Loaded event is set to take place later today at 13:00 ET, where AirTag announcements are expected to be announced alongside the company’s new iPad Pro range and more. You’ll be able to watch it live on the Apple event website or on YouTube.