Apple’s WWDC was as action-packed as ever, with many significant announcements missing out on a place in the long keynote address.
One of those piquing interest is Apple’s decision to open up the Find My app to third-party devices. iPhone users are accustomed to using this app to locate their errant AirPods or keep tabs on their friends who’re also nestled within the Apple ecosystem. However, it’s about to get much better.
Now, once iOS 14 launches this autumn, existing companies like Tile could utilise the vast network of Apple devices to help users discover missing devices.
Whether Tile, which uses a network of its own Bluetooth-powered trackers to help locate lost, stolen or misplaced items would be interested in becoming part of Apple’s network remains to be seen. However, the opportunity to piggy back on Apple’s tech to help their userbase may be too good an opportunity to refuse.
“Introducing a new program that will let customers locate your products using the power of the vast Find My network,” Apple writes on its developer website, saying the new feature will be available to consumers with the launch of iOS 14 this autumn.
“With hundreds of millions of Apple devices around the world, advanced end-to-end encryption, and industry-leading security, users can locate their items within the Find My app with the peace of mind that their privacy is protected.”
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Tile and Apple are set to become rivals in the very near future, with Apple set to announce a similar product called AirTags in 2020. Some predicted they’d arrive at WWDC, but Apple kept the event largely hardware-free. It looks like it might now be September – and the expected iPhone 12 launch – before we see AirTags.
Tile recently took umbrage with Apple over alleged anti-competitive behaviour. The company complained to the EU saying the iPhone-maker is making it harder to use the Tile mobile app.
Could this be an olive branch that would suit all parties?
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
