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From what I can tell based on the news coverage, GPS trackers didn't exist before AirTags. But seriously though, this does seem like the kind of thing Apple an
by thatswrong0 4y ago
From what I can tell based on the news coverage, GPS trackers didn't exist before AirTags.
But seriously though, this does seem like the kind of thing Apple and Google should collaborate on and establish a standard so that any mobile operating system can notify people of unwanted trackers without requiring the installation of an app.
- witheld 4y agoThese aren’t GPS trackers though- GPS trackers are expensive, use a considerable amount of power, and require subscription fees to a service provider. An AirTag is a dumb BLE chip that screams occasionally, and piggybacks off everyone’s iPhones which already have both GPS and cell subscriptions.
- briandear 4y agoApple does notify you of Air tags near you that aren’t yours.
- gnicholas 4y agoNot if you're on Android and haven't installed the Tracker Detect app from Apple.
- josephcsible 4y agoEven if you have, it still doesn't notify you. You have to open the app manually whenever you want to check for them.
- gnicholas 4y agoI don't have an Android so can't verify this, but CNET makes it sound like the app scans automatically: > If Tracker Detect notices an AirTag that's been following you for at least 10 minutes, the app will then allow you to play a sound from the AirTag so that you can more easily find the physical tracker. [1] 1: https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/how-to-tell-if-an-airtag-is-tracking-your-location-on-android/ https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/how-to-tell-if-an-airtag-is...
- celsoazevedo 4y agoI use Android and tested the official app. It doesn't warn you. You need to open the app and perform a manual scan. There's an open source app called AirGuard that runs/scans in the background and sends you a notification if they detect "tracking". It drains some battery, but works okay.
- IYasha 4y agoBut.. shouldn't BLE receiver be completely passive? I mean, it isn't transmitting anything, which should pretty much limit the algorithm to "get list of MACs, compare to another list of MACs, sleep 30s".
- wintermutestwin 4y agoThat is false. I get notifications for my partner's airtags.
- sofixa 4y agoGoing off the app's reviews, it barely helps.