An update to the Find My app also makes Apple’s network open to third-party accessories. This makes it possible, for example, to find wireless earphones from another brand via the Find My app on your iPhone.
Find third-party accessories through Find My app
Starting next week, the first third-party products compatible with Apple’s Find My network will be available.
These are products from the Dutch bicycle maker VanMoof, accessory maker Belkin and Chipolo. The latter is also the producer of trackers such as Tile. Yet this brand is (for the time being) left out. This is not very strange given the arrival of Apple’s own tracker AirTag.
The updated Find My app is already available and works from iOS version 14.3. Approved products, bearing the ‘Works with Apple Find My’ logo, can be located via Bluetooth and this app. With the previously published Find My Certification app, accessory makers can test their applications.
Third-party Ultra Wideband accessories also coming soon
Apple is also working on allowing third-party devices to access the U1 Ultra Wideband chip (uwb), which is built into the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12.
The Cupertino company has shared the precise specifications with chip makers. This way they can already get started with new products. These should be released later this year.
The U1 Ultra Wideband chip is Apple’s answer to Bluetooth and also works with radio waves. The main difference is that uwb operates at a shorter distance and is much more accurate.
Coming AirTag closer and closer
Behind the scenes, Apple has been working on the arrival of the tracker for years and as it stands now, finding stuff will become an important focus area. According to rumors, the AirTags will cost $ 39 and the devices are small enough to easily attach them to your key ring. The compact tracker can therefore be used to find your wallet, backpack or car keys.
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