After it’s AirTag, Apple’s first Bluetooth supported merchandise tracker, the tech giant has now announced an Android application regarding the same. With some privacy enhancements apple said that it’s about to launch an Android Application that will assist to detect close by AirTags that people would be unnecessarily carrying.
For people who don’t know Apple has launched its first merchandise tracker, a product named as AirTag to compete with Samsung’s SmartTag. Apple with its AirTag has focused on enhancing the privacy options which is a big move by Apple’s perspective. On the other hand the critics said that it’s very simple to use Apple’s AirTags to stalk someone without their data. It is comparatively easy when one who is being tracked has an Android device.
Apple has announced a few changes which are built to improve the privacy of the AirTag trackers. Apple is working on the time that AirTags take to make an alert after being separated from their owner. Later this year Apple is planning to develop an Android Application which will detect AirTags. As per the report by Cnet, Apple has started rolling out the AirTag firmware update which the AirTags will automatically receive when connected to an iPhone.
Because of this update the AirTag will now alert after being separated from the owner in a random time with interval of 8 to 24 hours. At launch AirTag played a sound for three long days after being separated from its owner. Apple is now looking ahead to develop an Android application which will alert the users that an AirTag is moving with them.
The company said, “We are developing an app for Android devices that will help people “detect” an AirTag or Find My network-enabled device that may also be unsuspectedly “traveling” with them. The app will be released later this year.”
“The recent introduction of AirTag included industry first proactive features that discourage unwanted tracking,” Apple said further. With this how Apple responded as working on it continuously showed how the company is dedicated towards privacy and security of its products including AirTags.
The app won’t allow the users to set up and use an AirTag but will alert them when an AirTag would move with them. This application will allow the Android users to receive alerts regarding unwanted tracking.
The updates came after the critics, raising questions about the privacy and stalking implications of the object tracker. Also, a review from Mashable brought questions on the privacy of AirTags. Similarly, tests performed by Washington Post shower that AirTag Stalking was easy despite the precautions taken by Apple. So the eyes of the AirTag users and all others would be on the launch of the application and how Apple reacts to solve future implications.