AirTags and Tiles

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Category: Technology/Innovations

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Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. fob / fɒb / (n.) – a small device that’s usually connected to a key 
    Example:

    Newer car models have fobs that can unlock doors.


  2. well / wɛl / (adv.) – completely or fully
    Example:

    I know Chuck well enough. He’s my childhood friend.


  3. the more (something), the better / ðə mɔr ðə ˈbɛt ər / (idiom) – used to say that if something happens, it can make another situation or experience even better than before
    Example:

    We have lots of food, so the more people come to the party, the better.


  4. better yet / ˈbɛt ər yɛt / (idiom) – used to describe an idea or suggestion that’s better than the one previously mentioned
    Example:

    You can take the bus, or better yet, take the train to get there faster.


  5. pinpoint / ˈpɪnˌpɔɪnt / (v.) – to tell or find the exact position of something
    Example:

    The app can pinpoint the location of the delivery van.


Article

Read the text below.

Are you always losing things? Are you worried that your wallet or keys will get stolen? This month, we look at some devices that use Bluetooth to help you keep track of your valuables.


We begin with startup Tile. Its devices come in different shapes. The most popular is the Mate, a square fob 35 millimeters wide and 6.22 mm thick. It has a hole in the corner so you can stick it on a keychain. Other Tiles can slip into your wallet or stick onto a laptop.


A set of four Mates is fairly cheap at ¥6,580. Setup is simple. You pair each tracking fob to the Tile app and that’s it. Put one with your valuable and use the app to track the fob’s Bluetooth signal. If it’s near, it will ring out loudly.


But what if it’s in a bag on a train that is well outside Bluetooth range? No problem. If someone nearby has the app on their phone, they will communicate with it and you’ll see your fob on a map. The more users close by, the better.


Tile’s network of users is the second-largest in the world. The largest belongs to Apple, which entered the market in April of this year. The company did what it often does — it took an idea from another company and massively improved it. Its AirTags have access to a billion iPhone users, so finding lost items is super quick. Better yet, if you have one of the latest iPhones, you can pinpoint locations to within a meter.


AirTags are expensive, however, at ¥12,800 for a pack of four. And they don’t have a hole, so if you want to use them to keep track of your keys, you’ll have to buy a separate keyholder. (Apple sells Hermes keyholders starting at a mere ¥35,800.) But if you can live with the higher price and you have an iPhone, they are the best choice. For Android users, buy Tiles. (T)


This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • A set of four Mates is fairly cheap at ¥6,580, while the same number of AirTags cost about ¥12,800. Given the choice, would you rather buy Tile’s affordable fobs or Apple’s expensive ones? Do you think AirTags should be made usable with other non-Apple devices? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • AirTags can find your items super quick but through accessing billions of iPhone users. Do you think this access to data is a good or a bad thing? Why? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Apple developed its AirTags by taking an idea from another company and massively improving it. Do you think it’s a good idea if a popular brand takes an idea from another company instead of coming up with its own? Why? Discuss.
  • If there’s an idea or product that you could massively improve, what would it be (ex. Apple’s Airpods, Samsung’s flip smartphones)? What improvements would you make? Discuss.