Apple launches AirTag, iPhone 12 Purple edition, Apple TV 4K

US-based technology major Apple on Tuesday unveiled the much-awaited AirTag along with the Apple TV 4K and a brand new iPhone 12 series Purple colour edition.

The long wait for the long rumoured AirTag finally ends this month. Apple's new gadget is similar to the Bluetooth-based Tiles tracking device, which allows owners to find misplaced articles such as a vehicle or a house key in around a few meters range.

It comes in a compact circular design language and lightweight. AirTag features precision-etched polished stainless steel, and is IP67 water- and dust-resistant. It also houses a built-in speaker to play sounds to help locate AirTag, while a removable cover makes it easy for users to replace the battery.

Also, AirTag comes equipped with an Apple-designed U1 chip. It makes good use of the Ultra-Wideband technology, enabling Precision Finding for iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 users. "This advanced technology can more accurately determine the distance and direction to a lost AirTag when it is in range. As a user moves, Precision Finding fuses input from the camera, ARKit, accelerometer, and gyroscope, and then will guide them to AirTag using a combination of sound, haptics, and visual feedback" the company said.

It can be attached to any compatible household articles and like the AirPods, AirTag can seamlessly connect to all Apple devices with iOS 14.5 update

Once AirTag is set up, it will appear in the new Items tab in the Find My app, where users can view the item’s current or last known location on a map. If a user misplaces their item and it is within Bluetooth range, they can use the Find My app to play a sound from the AirTag to help locate it.

And, users can also ask Siri to find their item, and AirTag will play a sound if it is nearby.

The most interesting part of the new AirTag is that if the latter gets separated from its owner and out of Bluetooth range, the Find My network can help track it down.

"The Find My network is approaching a billion Apple devices and can detect Bluetooth signals from a lost AirTag and relay the location back to its owner, all in the background, anonymously and privately," Apple said.

The company promises that the AirTag and Find My network is fully secure and user identity is protected at all times.