Apple AirTags have been ready for years — here’s the proof

Apple AirTags have been ready for years — here's the proof

(Image credit: Future)

Many Apple events came and went without AirTag getting mentioned, despite leaks indicating their existence. Indeed, vii months ago leaker Jon Prosser claimed AirTags were "done and ready."

And nevertheless Apple tree'south remaining 2020 launches for the likes of M1 Macs, iPhone 12 and AirPods Max didn't include a peep about the tracker.

This finally came to an end at Apple's Spring Loaded event, and Apple'due south answer to Tile is finally winging its way to customers. And nosotros at present have proof that Prosser was correct and Apple has been sitting on AirTags for some time, waiting for the right moment to launch.

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On Twitter, YouTuber @ZONEofTECH published photos of the packaging from his AirTags, which revealed two interesting dates. The AirTags box has the year 2020 on information technology, which matches what Prosser was saying, while the leather keyring has an even earlier year of 2019.

And so, the AirTag box says 2020. The Leather Keyring says 2019. First AirTag leak was dorsum in 2019.They've been set for the past ii years. pic.twitter.com/TgrAw3z4C6April 30, 2021

The latter is nigh the same time that AirTag rumors first emerged, and MacRumors has also uncovered documents proving that Apple began regulatory testing for the trackers between July and November that year.

So why the persistent delays? There are two likely answers, though both remain speculation. The first is uncomplicated: a 2019 launch would have limited AirTags usability. Because the trackers use ultra-wideband technology, they require compatible handsets to be detectable. While Apple introduced the uniform U1 bit with the iPhone eleven, releasing AirTags at the same time would hateful that only early adopters of the phone could use them. Releasing them when both the iPhone xi and iPhone 12 have got a decent market share means sales will probable be far college.

The 2nd possible explanation is more complex, and comes downward to the anti-competitive charges Apple was facing at the time. Back in 2020, companies including Tile, were reportedly lobbying Congress to level the playing field over potency from companies similar Apple, Amazon and Google.

Information technology's perhaps no coincidence, therefore, that Apple opened up its Discover My network to third-party accompaniment makers ahead of AirTags launch, and it may exist that Apple but needed the extra fourth dimension to make the necessary changes, delaying the original anticipated launch appointment.

In whatever case, the AirTags are out now and early impressions are strong. We gave the tracker 4 stars in our Apple AirTag review, praising both its ease of utilize and precision, although concerns about AirTags privacy and stalking are a very real concern.

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Freelance contributor Alan has been writing well-nigh tech for over a decade, covering phones, drones and everything in betwixt. Previously Deputy Editor of tech site Alphr, his words are found all over the web and in the occasional mag too. When non weighing upward the pros and cons of the latest smartwatch, y'all'll probably notice him tackling his ever-growing games backlog. Or, more likely, playing Spelunky for the millionth time.