Apple is expected to introduce its own Tile-competing tracking device(s), perhaps as soon as fall<\/a>. So, what are the advantages of the device, what can we expect, and what happens next?<\/p>\nFreedom from networks<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Credit to Author: Jonny Evans| Date: Thu, 05 Sep 2019 04:42:00 -0700<\/strong><\/p>\n Apple is expected to introduce its own Tile-competing tracking device(s), perhaps as soon as fall<\/a>. So, what are the advantages of the device, what can we expect, and what happens next?<\/p>\n There are hundreds of tracking devices<\/a> available today. These cost anything from tens to hundreds of dollars and in most cases require you sign-up to a network provider for SIM card-based network access.<\/p>\n That SIM is how your position is tracked.<\/p>\n Apple hasn\u2019t announced its product yet, but if (as I suspect) the company chooses to supplement \u2013 or even replace \u2013 SIM-based location tracking with its Bluetooth mesh-like \u2018Find My\u2019 service<\/a> then it could cut the cost of these solutions.<\/p>\n This is because Find My isn\u2019t completely reliant on the SIM card, but instead uses what Apple tells me is highly secure Bluetooth signalling, encryption and all tied up to your iCloud account.<\/p>\n The impact is that no one else \u2013 including your network \u2013 knows where you or your possessions are.<\/p>\n That segues nicely into the next hot feature for Apple\u2019s purported product:<\/p>\n Privacy.<\/p>\n Most existing systems let you see where you are online through a password-protected web portal, or (in some cases) through a smartphone app.<\/p>\n The problem with this approach is that you have no way of knowing how that information is kept secure, who has access to it, and no strong protection against any form of sale of data concerning you, your movements, or what happens to your tracked items.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why at the same time as checking the price of commercially available tracking devices, you should also check the privacy policies.<\/p>\n Apple\u2019s privacy commitment is tight<\/a>.<\/p>\n And while its security protections are under pretty constant attack, the company has resources that mean it can respond fast if security is breached.<\/p>\n I expect nothing less from anyone with access to my personal information.<\/p>\n This is a stretch based on pure speculation concerning an unannounced product, so please forgive me if my hunch turns out to be incorrect.<\/p>\n Apple\u2019s tracking device is billed as a competitor for Tile. One of the biggest problems with the latter product is its battery life<\/a>. Tile promises 12-months of battery life, but batteries cannot be replaced by a user.<\/p>\n It is worth noting that code inside a leaked build of iOS 13<\/a>\u00a0suggests there will be replaceable batteries in the Apple tracker. My speculation? What if Apple put a sealed wirelessly rechargeable battery inside these things…<\/p>\n Apple\u2019s products are used globally.<\/p>\n That wide distribution means there\u2019s a relatively good chance that a lost or stolen \u201cthing\u201d protected by a hidden Apple tracker will at some point be near an Apple product. And, (if I understand the Find My system correctly), this means you\u2019ll be able to track down your lost items, even with no SIM.<\/p>\n What\u2019s important is that this isn\u2019t dependent on network bandwidth and should work internationally.<\/p>\n I think there\u2019s a lot of potential good to be found in a highly secure tracking system that puts users in control and limits the attack surface for marketing firms, advertisers and other hackers seeking data about you in order to line their pockets.<\/p>\n However, while the theoretical abilities of such a device seem attractive, it\u2019s possible the reality of any shipping product will be more muted.<\/p>\n At present, MacRumors<\/a>\u00a0<\/em>claims trackers will emit a sound to help you find them, will use AR tags so you can track them down by holding up your iPhone (or another compatible AR device), and will have a \u2018Lost mode\u2019.<\/p>\n That latter mode apparently only tells nearby iPhone owners who the object belongs to and lets them contact you. What isn\u2019t claimed is that you\u2019ll be able to find these items yourself using Apple Maps, which you can do in the current iterations of Find My Friends and Find My iPhone, but I can\u2019t imagine that feature being removed.<\/p>\n If it works, I think Apple\u2019s system will be popular among car owners.<\/p>\n I imagine it will still be necessary to place these trackers in parts of the vehicle that are not completely surrounded by metal in order to optimize the Bluetooth connection \u2013 perhaps stashed inside an air freshener or under the vehicle?<\/p>\n I will be interested to see if Apple\u2019s tracking device is recognized as protection by car insurance companies, who offer reduced premiums to drivers who install tracking systems in their vehicles.<\/p>\n This would provide yet another way in which iOS can reduce your insurance premiums<\/a> \u2013 and may open up new partnership opportunities for the firm.<\/p>\n Apple\u2019s usage cases seem to include:<\/p>\n It is interesting that Apple is now looking to the home security market with interest.<\/p>\n That\u2019s how I see its decision to introduce HomeKit Secure Video and HomeKit-enabled routers. I also think you need to consider the company\u2019s 2018 purchase of smart security camera patents from Lighthouse<\/a>.<\/p>\n There is little doubt that Apple\u2019s extensive, multi-year investments in camera, machine intelligence, AI and imaging technology could be bought to bear to deliver a framework (or solutions) for wireless smart security systems:<\/p>\n \u201cHey Siri, who is in my office?\u201d<\/p>\n Watch this space.<\/em><\/p>\n Please follow me on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>, or join me in the\u00a0AppleHolic\u2019s bar & grill<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Apple Discussions<\/a>\u00a0groups on MeWe.<\/em><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.computerworld.com\/category\/security\/index.rss<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Credit to Author: Jonny Evans| Date: Thu, 05 Sep 2019 04:42:00 -0700<\/strong><\/p>\n Apple is expected to introduce its own Tile-competing tracking device(s), perhaps as soon as fall<\/a>. So, what are the advantages of the device, what can we expect, and what happens next?<\/p>\n<\/p>\nFreedom from networks<\/strong><\/h2>\n