Benjamin Levicek I probably don't need to remind you that the Californian giant presented a new iMac, iPad Pro, Apple TV and AirTag localization pendant on Tuesday evening. I followed both the speculation and the conference itself closely, but the whole time AirTag left me cold. But a few days passed, pre-orders started and I, as a fan of Apple and new technologies at the same time, focused a little more on the pendant - and finally pre-ordered it too. What led me to this step, and what, from my point of view, is the significance for the visually impaired?
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U1 chip, or (finally) the perfect tool for finding things
In the current situation, I own a Fixed Smile locator, it can be searched by playing an audio signal. Although it is fine in most situations, in a busy environment, or on the contrary when I need to find the keys and my roommate is sleeping, the sound indication is not quite suitable. But the U1 chip is able to show the sighted an arrow that directs it and mainly supports the VoiceOver screen reader. The documentation states that the reader should notify the visually impaired user in which direction to turn and guide them, and at the same time information should be available about how close you are to the pendant. Sure, you should remember where you put your keys, wallet, or backpack, but it happens to everyone from time to time that they simply forget something. For example, a sighted person notices the object he is looking for after a longer examination of the surroundings, but this cannot be said for a person with a visual impairment.
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I will also use AirTag at school or in a public environment where there are many people. Imagine a situation where all students put down their backpacks in a certain place, then go to a certain activity, and then have to take them back. It's nice that I remember where I put my backpack, but in the meantime 30 other people have added it to the same place. So the location of my bag has changed a long time ago and is not where it was before. The sound signal wouldn't help me much on the return, but the U1 chip would.
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It's stupid for 890 CZK, but I'll buy it anyway
Of course, AirTag offers a lot of great gadgets and can really save your wallet or backpack. Especially thanks to the fact that it will use the network of all iPhones and iPads in the vicinity, to which it will send the owner's contact information in case of loss, this is an absolutely great thing. However, we're not going to lie, unlike an iPhone, iPad or Mac, it's more of a toy that you don't necessarily need for life. But I ask, why not enjoy yourself once in a while? It doesn't really matter if you are happy with a good coffee, a few glasses of an alcoholic drink, an AirTag, or all together.
- You can buy Apple products, for example, at Alge, Mobile Emergency or u iStores
