AirTag stalking protection is live on Android — here’s how to set it up
AirTag stalking protection is live on Android — here’s how to set it up
Android users finally have a tool to fight AirTag stalking
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Google has already confirmed that Unknown Tracker Alerts is only compatible with AirTags for the time being, but didn’t specify why
It would seem like the “why” is pretty obvious. Most active iPhones now have AirTag tracking installed on them. That’s not the case for trackers like Tile.
That means Apple has the biggest tracking network right now. It dwarfs the others. FindMy network devices should be the clear priority. They’re more precise, encounter fewer dead zones, and in other words, are likely a stalker’s preferred tracker.
Don't you have it backwards? It's not the phones, its the trackers.
And the obvious reason is apple and google built it, so of course Tile is behind. If google already had trackers, that sentence would say AirTags and googleTags*
Tile is not as useful if you are trying to stalk someone because its network is much, much smaller. Therefore it is less dangerous than the Airtags.
Tile uses both phones with the Tile app instand and all Amazon Alexa speakers are part of the Amazon Sidewalk network, which also detects and reports Tile tags.
That is also likely a factor. There are more AirTags in the wild than Tiles.
That said, my point is that AirTags present more risk because they’re a better product. And they’re a better product because of the substantially bigger network.
So you're restating the claim the article made with supposing it's because it's bigger and just being done first. But there's still technically has the capability of tracking others. And I wouldn't say being the product of choice of stalkers necessarily makes it a better product.
Edit: it's also odd that you went out of the way to extol the product when you're just agreeing with the conclusion I made as well. We get it. You love Apple.
Not fanboying, just saying why they are the biggest security threat, and therefore the right tracker to prioritize. That’s all.
When Google inevitably rolls out a competing tracker and client platform, they will have the dominant network after a few years. Apple will have to follow Google’s lead and build defensive tools for trackers on Google’s massive platform.
I mean, you went out of your way in multiple comments to not just say "Apple has a larger network so is more dangerous." In fact you didn't even say that. You had to let other people infer it from you repeatedly saying how great AirTags are and how superior they are.
Like, you're not wrong that it's a larger network. But you could have just said that. You're obviously a fan of Apple and preaching just a bit here.
AirTags are the better tracker. A person isn’t an apple fan for accurately recognizing that.
But they are when the question didn't ask what's better.
There was no question.
Are you kidding? It was fucking quoted. Did you even read the goddamn thread? They were answering a "why" it was only airtags. Ffs. Going out of your way to defend someone who interjected how great apple is for no reason. Can only wonder why you would defend it....
Oh you mean the part of the op that person quotes waaaayyy up in their original comment.
Yeah. The question was why does the android software that interfaces with trackers only support airtags. If you’re making a piece of software to interface with a kind of hardware your first target should be the best, most popular one. Sometimes those will be different things, like with phone charging cables. In this case they’re one and the same. Airtags are the best, most popular tracker.
So the answer to the question “why does the android software for trackers only support airtags?” Is: “airtags are the best, most popular tracker.”
You mean AITags?
Think they're referring to Tile tags.
I am as well. AirTags have outsold Tile significantly, and they’re waaaay more accurate because of the much bigger network.
And it's pretty logical why. I lose my stuff a lot and all though I have an android, still bought airtags and use an old iphone. Why? Cause it is the only cheap option that tracks farther than bluetooth range, which is quite handy if I lose something on the train. Google should syep up and make a similiar system, it is the only way.
I fail to understand where the "why" comes in. You gave some disparate conclusions. yes airtag is installed on iPhone and tile isn't. So what? Yes, airtags is a big network. Again, I repeat, so what? Are you saying they did the largest network first? Whatever it is, you forgot to state the obvious part of your claim. It definitely isn't obvious.
I think the thing is that, in order to have a successful and reliable Tile network, you need as much people as possible to install the Tile app so their phones can communicate with their trackers.
Whereas with Find My, you have everybody’s Apple devices being part of the network without them doing anything, their devices just do it, without intervention from other users. That’s a massive advantage for Apple’s offering.
On similar note, if Google comes up with something similar where they can leverage all of the Android devices out there, it’d be an enormous network.
I wouldn't compare the opportunity for android and google to be the same as with ios and apple. On apple devices you cannot opt out (this is what I heard). On android you will be able to most certainly (sooner or later).
You get.
Realistically, if that rumored Google / Nest tracking platform launches and slowly makes its way onto every active Android phone, Google will have the world’s largest BT tracker network, and Google’s platform will be the biggest stalker threat. But right now, AirTags are at the top of the stalker risk pile.
Sure, Google could currently watch out for Tiles and the other odd balls, but those products are likely to quickly fizzle out unless they get on to Apple current and Google’s upcoming platforms. Also, those products are inaccurate and kind of suck.
My point is that AirTags are more dangerous from a stalking perspective compaired to Tiles. AirTags provide much more precise tracking data than a product like Tile. And they provide more precise data because of the much bigger client network.