The extension of the Find platform is very difficult. This is a wasted potential

It was in April last year when Apple introduced an extension to its Find My platform. It is already clear from the name what it is used for. However, this is not the case only with Apple products, as it is an open platform that can also be used by third-party manufacturers. But for some reason you don't really get into it. 

At the heart of it all is the Find It app, which can help you find a lost device or lost personal item. Apple introduced the AirTag, a location device that you can put in your wallet, purse, backpack, luggage, attach it to your keys or anything else, and easily track its location. But if the company did not open the platform to third parties, it would be accused of a monopoly, so it first showed what it can do, while also introducing the first brands that will support it. Only then did AirTag come on the scene.

Download the Find app in the App Store

Just a handful of products 

It was a tracker/locator tag Chipolo One Spot a VanMoof S3 and X3 electric bike. The first mentioned is only a certain variant of Apple's solution, the said electric bike is more interesting. It has a platform integrated right into it, so there is no tag hanging from it anywhere that could easily be removed and the bike stolen. And this is precisely the great advantage of integrating the platform into various products.

Gallery

Apple_find-my-network-now-offers-new-third-party-finding-experiences-chipolo_040721

VanMoof 1

VanMoof 2

But even after almost a year, there is still silence on the footpath in this regard. It's just a question of whether manufacturers don't want to sign up to the program because of Apple's high fees, or whether they simply don't have a solution that would take full advantage of this potential. Since then, practically only wireless headphones have been introduced Belkin SOUNDFORM Freedom True a Targus backpack.

These Belkin headphones can therefore be found in the same way as, for example, Apple's AirPods or Beats headphones (Beats Studio Buds, Beats Flex, Powerbeats Pro, Beats Powerbeats, Beats Solo Pro). A more interesting solution is precisely in the case of the Targus backpack, which has it integrated more comprehensively.

Gallery #2

najit_find_my_iphone_ios_fb

AirTag-v-Najit

Find location sharing 1

Find location sharing 2

Find location sharing 3

Find last location 2

Find last location 3

Find Notify me 1

Find Notify me 3

Find Notify me 2

Find iPhone on page 1

Find iPhone on page 2

Find iPhone on page 3

Find iPhone on page 4

icloud_find_iphone_mac_options

Its manufacturer states that if a potential thief were able to find the AirTag in the backpack and throw it away, he would definitely not use the tracking module here, as he would have to rip open the entire backpack. Of course, it will be about the contents rather than the backpack itself, so just take the things out. But not every non-leaver needs to know that this particular backpack can be tracked by the Find platform.

A definite disappointment 

We would like to write that there are more products and one is more interesting than the other. But this modest list ends here. So excluding Apple products and its Beats headphones, only a handful of products are integrated into the Find platform. In addition, the Targus backpack has not even arrived on the market yet. Personally, I see the improvements to the Find platform as the most interesting move Apple made last year. Unfortunately, accessory manufacturers are probably not so enthusiastic.