Un carpintero le dio a la policía la clave para resolver un robo multimillonario… y todo sucedió gracias a algunos objetos ocultos señales de aire de manzana.
El hombre de 43 años es de Virginia. Habló de forma anónima con The Washington Post.Dijo que decidió ocultar los rastreadores Bluetooth, que normalmente se utilizan para ayudar a las personas a vigilar cosas como el equipaje y las llaves, después de haber sido víctima de un robo de dispositivos anterior.
El hombre escondió los AirTags en el equipo que le quedaba y, cuando también se los llevaron, ayudaron a llevar a la policía a un casillero lleno de artículos robados. Este descubrimiento llevó a la policía a más ubicaciones, lo que a su vez llevó a la recuperación de herramientas por un valor total de entre 3 y 5 millones de dólares al año. Comunicado de prensa de la policía del condado de Howard.
Velocidad de la luz triturable
“#HoCoPolice ha recuperado aproximadamente 15.000 herramientas de construcción robadas con un valor total de entre 3 y 5 millones de dólares en lo que se cree que es uno de los casos de robo más grandes y extensos en la región en los últimos años”, dice la publicación en X (anteriormente Twitter). ) escribió.
Una vez hecho esto, el resultado final probablemente permitirá a las personas descubrir rastreadores desconocidos sin tener que descargar aplicaciones adicionales.
Google‘s new Android Find My Device network has started slowly rolling out, according to some users – and that finally opens up the possibility of some Apple AirTags rivals landing on the platform for tracking your lost belongings.
As spotted by Android tipster @Assembledebug on X (formerly Twitter), Google has seemingly started rolling out its new Find My Device network on some devices in the latest Google Play Service beta (version 24.12.14, below).
So far, this rollout appears to be very limited and also isn’t a full release of the feature, which Google announced way back at Google IO 2023. While a new settings page for the Find My Device network has appeared for these early users, they don’t yet have the option of opting into the service.
(Image credit: @AssembleDebug)
But this is still a significant moment for anyone who’s been patiently waiting for AIrTags equivalents to arrive on Android. Like its Apple rival, Google’s new Find My Device network will anonymously leverage millions of Android devices around the world (assuming they’ve opted in) to help you track down offline devices and accessories.
Like on recent iPhones, this offline tracking works by keeping your phone’s Bluetooth beacon signal active even when the handset is shut down. But the offline tracking feature may not work on every Android device – earlier rumors have suggested that the full Find My Device network will start by rolling out on the Google Pixel 9 (and possibly the Pixel 8) with Android 15.
So, what happens next? This slow rollout will likely continue until Google IO 2024 on May 14, when we can expect to hear more about Android’s promising tracking network – and hopefully, some new third-party trackers from Tile and Chipolo.
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How will it work?
(Image credit: Google)
Your Android phone already has a limited Find My Device service, which lets you find your phone if it’s nearby and connected to the internet. Google’s new network promises to be a massive upgrade by anonymously leveraging millions of Android phones to help track down your lost devices – much like Apple’s Find My network.
Apple calls this its “crowdsourced network of hundreds of millions of Apple devices”, but Android’s network could potentially be even bigger. It’ll also benefit from the cross-platform alerts that Google and Apple announced to “combat the misuse of Bluetooth location-tracking devices”.
The question is when we’ll see Google AirTags, or at least Google’s first-party equivalent of the trackers that can be attached to your belongings. Given this apparent rollout of the Find My Device network, our money is on some news at Google IO 2024, as we’ve previously heard rumors about a Google tracking device codenamed ‘Grogu’.
Given that makers of third-party brands like Tile, Chipolo and Pebblebee are all supporting the industry standard partnership between Apple and Google on Bluetooth trackers, we may see some Android-flavored versions of their tracking devices at the same time, too.
Thieves in Montreal, Canada have been using Apple’s AirTags to facilitate vehicle theft, according to a report from Vermont news sites WCAX and NBC5 (via 9to5Mac). Police officers in Burlington, Vermont have issued a warning about AirTags for drivers who recently visited Canada.
Two Burlington residents found Apple AirTags in their vehicles after returning from trips to Montreal, and these are not the first reports that officers have encountered. One man, Ethan Yang, said he was coming from Montreal after visiting family, and he was alerted that there was an AirTag traveling with him. He was able to use his phone to make the AirTag beep, and he was able to locate the device, which had been placed in the front grille of the vehicle.
Ryan McLiverty, a cyber analyst at the Vermont Intelligence Center, said that while these incidents have been happening for some time, there has been a new spike in activity. Criminals in Montreal are using AirTags to track cars, steal them, and then sell them abroad. There’s also a possibility that the AirTags are being used to tag cars as part of an effort to move drugs across the border.
Travelers who are concerned about being tracked via an AirTag should know that there are built-in safety features. An AirTag will send an alert if it is not within distance of the person that owns it, and this alert will show up on iPhones. Android phones are also able to detect unknown Bluetooth trackers, including AirTags, plus Apple has a Tracker Detect app that scans for them.
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Apple’s AirTag is the top pick for iPhone owners in our Bluetooth tracker buying guide (unsurprisingly), and right now a four-pack of the little devices is back on sale for a record low of $75. Most recently, the pack went down to $80, a discount we’ve seen a number of times since the holiday shopping season. But now, the new discount is in line with the best price we’ve seen for four AirTags. Plus, as long as you want to keep tabs on multiple items, it’s also cheaper than buying a few single AirTags, since those are currently going for $24 each.
Photo by Chris Velazco / Engadget
We highlight the AirTag in our guide because it can utilize Apple’s giant network of devices to locate items. If you misplace an AirTag-equipped bookbag, for instance, nearby Apple devices can anonymously alert Apple’s Find My network when the bag is close, then the Find My app will report that location back to you. Since there are more than two billion iPhones, iPads, Macs and other Apple gadgets active in the wild, the odds of finding something are generally better here than with other trackers that use much smaller crowd-finding networks.
Once you’re in the vicinity of a lost item, the AirTag uses a wireless connection called ultrawideband (UWB) to more precisely lead you in the right direction, displaying an arrow and distance estimate when you’re nearby. The tracker has an IP67 rating, so it can survive a brief dip underwater, and it’s one of the few Apple gadgets with an easily replaceable battery. On its own, Apple says the battery is designed to last “more than a year” before it needs changing.
The biggest disadvantage the AirTag has compared to competitors like Tile is that it’s only available in one shape. Its coin-like design is easy to tuck away but doesn’t come with a built-in keyring hole or adhesive. If you want to actually attach it to an item, you need to pay for a separate accessory.
It’s also worth noting that AirTags aren’t designed to find stolen items. They could help with that, but if your AirTag is found moving with someone else, that person will receive an alert telling them so. This feature is meant to hinder those who might use AirTags for stalking, which has beenan unfortunateside effect of the device’s effectiveness. That said, both Apple and Google have issued updates to further combat bad actors. As a bit of extra security against losing your stuff, the AirTag works well, and this deal makes it a little more accessible. There should be no worry about a new model coming anytime soon, either, as a Bloomberg report earlier this year said a second-generation device isn’t expected until 2025.
If you own a Samsung Galaxy phone, meanwhile, we’ll note that a four-pack of Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTag 2 is also on sale for an all-time low of $70. This is another pick in our buying guide: It’s not quite as precise as an AirTag and only works with Samsung phones, but it’s easy to setup, it has a built-in cutout and it works similarly if you’re a committed Galaxy user.
Apple today began rolling out a firmware update for its AirTag item trackers. The firmware features a build number of 2A73 (2.0.73), up from the 2A61 firmware that came out last October.
Apple does share release notes for AirTag firmware updates, but the document has yet to be updated for the new release so there’s no word yet on what might be included in the update.
As is typical for AirTag updates, today’s firmware release will be rolling out on a staggered basis. One percent of users will get the update today, and then it will expand to 10 percent of users on March 26. On April 2, the update will expand to 25 percent of users, and then it will be available to all on April 9.
It is not possible to force an AirTag update, as it’s something that’s done over-the-air through a connected iPhone. To make sure the update happens, you can put your AirTag in range of your iPhone, but you have to wait for the firmware to roll out to your device. You can check your current AirTag firmware version through the Find My app, with instructions available in our how to.
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Are AirTags waterproof? Keeping liquids out of our electronics isn’t always easy. Especially when it’s something we take with us everywhere, like our AirTags. Those with Apple’s handle little item tracker, or anyone thinking about getting one, might ask the questions:
Can AirTags be submerged in water?
Can AirTags go through the wash?
Can my dog swim with AirTag?
I’ve kept a tracking tag on my indoor/outdoor cat for years, so I fully understand wanting to be sure a bit of rain won’t cause problems. And I have tags on my keys and many other items, and I also don’t want a trip through the wash to ruin them.
Fortunately, I have lots of good news.
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Are AirTags waterproof?
Depends on what you mean by “waterproof.” Apple promises they are splash and water resistant.
Yes, saying the gizmos are water resistant sounds like Apple is evading the issue. But calling the AirTags waterproof means they are 100% protected from liquids under all situations, like when going scuba diving. The tracker tag can take a lot, just not that last challenge.
But water resistance means they will survive ordinary hazards, like rain or being dropped into shallow water.
How waterproof are AirTags? (The facts)
Explaining in detail how safe from water Apple’s tracker tag is means getting just a bit technical. AirTags have an IP67 rating. That means they’ll make it through being immersed in water at a maximum depth of 1 meter for up to 30 minutes.
Plenty of companies say that their products with this IP level are waterproof. Apple is more cautious and sticks with water resistant.
Don’t overlook that being able to survive underwater for half an hour means AirTag can take being rained on all day long. They’re definitely splashproof.
Can AirTags go through the wash?
If you absentmindedly leave your keys in your pocket, and your AirTag goes through the wash, don’t worry too much about it getting ruined. I can tell you from personal experience that Apple’s tracker tag will survive a trip through the washing machine.
That said, the situation is skirting the limit. Wash then rinse cycles can go on for longer than half an hour, and the fact that the AirTag will be yanked around by the agitator raises concerns.
That said, the rare laundry trip almost certainly won’t be a problem. But I don’t recommend sewing one into a gym bag that you intentionally wash every month.
Can my dog swim with AirTag?
Elkson AirTag holder with keychain helps you keep track of your best friend. Photo: Elkson
I understand putting a tracker on your beloved pet. The confidence you can find them if they get lost is very reassuring — I know that from personal experience.
There’s been an AirTag on my cat for years, and it’s still fully functional. This isn’t some sleepy tabby — Houdini climbs trees, chases birds and chipmunks, and goes out in the rain. He doesn’t go swimming though.
If you thinking of letting your dog swim with an AirTag, the answer depends on how much time the gadget will spend in the water.
Apple’s tracker tag can survive submerged for 30 minutes. That’s less time than typical dogs spend splashing around in a lake or stream. If Bark Twain wades in, cools off for a couple of minutes then rejoins the hike, there won’t be a problem.
But if your dog’s absolute favorite activity is swimming — I’ve known a few like that — then it’s possible they’ll keep the AirTag underwater long enough for liquid to work its way inside the gizmo.
That said, consider that the IP rating doesn’t mean the device will be ruined after exactly 31 minutes underwater. It’s assured to keep liquids out for half an hour, and might continue to do so for another hour afterward. But there’s no guarantee of that.
AirTags waterproof case (Best options)
If you want to put an AirTag on the collar of your Portuguese Water Dog or Golden Retriever — the one that would rather swim than eat — you probably ought to put it in a case with additional protection from water. The same is true anything else you expect to frequently be submerged.
The Pelican Marine Waterproof AirTag Carabiner Case ($25) jumps the rating from IP67 to IP68. That removes the time limit. In this case, Apple’s tracker is supposed too be able to survive an unlimited amount of time in the water.
Just be aware, wrapping an AirTag in a waterproof case will somewhat muffle the sound the device makes when you’re trying to find your pet.
Even without extra protection from liquids, you’ll probably need some kind of holder for the accessory — Apple didn’t build in an easy way to connect the device to your keychain or a carabiner. I use a simple one from Belkin to attach the tag to Houdini’s collar, and have always been satisfied.
After years of using them, I find AirTags to be waterproof enough. I have about half a dozen of them on my keys, cat, a backpack, etc. and all of them are still going strong. They have stood up to rain, snow, the washing machine … whatever life threw at them.
So don’t worry about getting your AirTag wet from the rain or ordinary mishaps. And there’s an easy solution if you need one to go swimming: a waterproof case.
