For years now, Apple users have located misplaced iPhones and other Apple devices via the Find My app.
In case you haven’t used it before, Find My tracks the locations of iPhones, iPads, laptops and even AirPods, meaning the whereabouts of each device will come up on a map if it’s ever lost.
The app can even get the phone to play sound and display a flashing screen to help find it.
Find My has been such as success for Apple that the tech giant has decided to extend it and make it available on non-Apple devices.
Third-party products can now use Apple’s Find My network to help users keep track of important items such as Belkin earbuds and VanMoof e-bikes.
And while these items are relatively specific and not always readily available here in Australia, Apple has also teamed up with Chipolo to help users keep track of important (and easily lost) items such as keys and wallets.
The Chipolo ONE Spot is a small, discreet, black chip that can be added to these items. Users can also ‘rin’ items that are attached to the device and track where it was last.
As of June, the device will be available on Apple’s Find My network.
“For more than a decade, our customers have relied on Find My to locate their missing or stolen Apple devices, all while protecting their privacy,” said Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing.
“Now we’re bringing the powerful finding capabilities of Find My, one of our most popular services, to more people with the Find My network accessory program. We’re thrilled to see how Belkin, Chipolo, and VanMoof are utilizing this technology, and can’t wait to see what other partners create.”
It is uncommon for Apple to enable third-party technologies on its network, that’s why it is no surprise that Apple is reportedly working on its own version of the Chipolo ONE.
‘AirTags’ are expected to launch this year and will have built-in chips that can be connected to an iPhone.
