Originally Posted by StuckInYYZ (Post 34423877)

If the various manufacturers would like more exposure, I'd recommend (to them) to create some beacon hardware.... just to place in specific places like airport luggage pick up areas and possibly bus/train depots. They would connect to wired endpoints near strategic places so they could help with tracking luggage. Think about it this way. If they put a beacon at various points in the luggage lifecycle (say check-in point, at the exit point before the luggage is sent to the planes, at the entry point to the airport and just before it hits the carousel... for a small investment, it gets more people to actually buy the trackers. Sure, you might miss one touchpoint, but two or three? And if you're lucky, you might be able to reach your tracker if it's on the plane with you.

I don't have any travel plans in the near future (well, I have them, but with the chaos and waves hitting, they're on hold), but I plan on buying trackers of some sort for when I do. Also considering it for a few other items due to a spate of issues where these could be used (like car theft).

Originally Posted by Craig6z (Post 34959803)

Looking to experiment with the Galaxy Smarttag+ on an upcoming trip to the Middle East

[snip]

I have a Samsung S22 Ultra, so it looks as if my phone is able to take advantage of advanced tracking tools.

Originally Posted by Craig6z (Post 35089634)

The Smarttag+ worked flawlessly during my recent trip to Israel. Tested the locator signal when I was sitting on the plane at LAX heading to MIA, and a few times while on a 4 hour layover in MIA. It was clear that the bag was within a dozen meters of me while testing in my seat.

Upon arriving at TLV, I pinged the bag while waiting next to the carousel, and it appeared to be about 75 meters away. While in Israel a few times for entertainment purposes I checked the app while out and about, and always the locator pinned it to my hotel.

Returned TLV-SFO-LAX and it continued reliable during checks at the airports itself.

While I stipulate that the Apple device is likely a superior product, if someone has the proper advanced generation Galaxy phone, the Smarttag+ is seemingly an acceptable alternative (at least in the US and Israel). Yet when I travel next internationally (other countries in the Middle-East), I will be with my wife who is an iPhone user. I will invest $29 and buy an Airtag at least for one of our checked bags.

Originally Posted by Davvidd (Post 35094918)

Yes it is surprising that no one has done for androids still. I mean for all Androids and not just Samsung.

Originally Posted by StuckInYYZ (Post 35095379)

You mean the beaconing part of it? It shouldn't be difficult. Apple does it in two stages. When you just turn off bluetooth from the quick menu, it disables it for the most part, but the beaconing part is still active (and that's how the UWB chip works as I understand it). To fully disable bluetooth, you need to go into the settings. Do you also need to disable it in find my app? Maybe.

Keep in mind, this may have changed as my info (I don't actively use Apple products daily... just when I need to) is dated.

Originally Posted by Davvidd (Post 35096280)

No I mean something like airtags free like apple has themselves but for android users. I could not find any for Android airtags that is not subscription based.

Originally Posted by StuckInYYZ (Post 35096327)

I just wish more people would be running the app so I can find my tags. But I would also not want it forced on me like Apple does it. The basic (free) tier is really all most people need.

Originally Posted by GUWonder (Post 35097188)

I don’t pay for the Tile subscription plans and yet I get great use out of the TilePro tags due to the use of the Tile App on Android and iOS devices and the integration with Amazon Sidewalk. I would assume it goes at least much the same way for the Samsung Smarttags without any subscription plan in use.

Originally Posted by bukzin (Post 35088162)

Just got my truck back cuz of a Tile unit attached to key ring. Guys were too dumb to detach and throw it away.

Cops arrested them.

Originally Posted by bchandler02 (Post 35107617)

You left your keys in the truck?

Originally Posted by StuckInYYZ (Post 35108183)

People are leaving tags in vehicles on purpose. It's becoming common now (for us, there was a wave of stolen cars last year)

Originally Posted by Need (Post 35108445)

I think you read it wrong. He said "keys". He was wondering if the "keys with the tag on keyring" was left inside the truck. I was wondering the same thing. Did he leave the truck running and went into house or store to grab something. Or left the key in the visor like they did in TV shows and and movies (do people really do this?).

Originally Posted by StuckInYYZ (Post 35109236)

Actually I read that as an airtag connected to a keyring (which a lot of people do). Doesn't have to have keys...