Here’s why opting for non-Apple approved accessories for AirTags turned out to be an expensive mistake.
I’ll openly admit to being a serial loser. Misplacing the house and car keys is a frustration that I regularly have to deal with. It’s not just my keys, either – my purse, credit card, glasses, and even my smartphone. Yes, readers, the most-used function of my Apple Watch is the ability to ping my iPhone from it. So when Apple launched the AirTag earlier this year I couldn’t have been more thrilled to get my hands on one. While I’d previously used Tile to be able to help find my keys, AirTags built on this by using the iPhone’s accelerometer, camera, and gyroscope to provide on-screen directions and haptic feedback to the AirTag’s location, if you’re close by. However, thanks to a poor purchasing decision when it comes to an accessory for the AirTag, I’m now in a situation where I’m fully aware of the rough location of a lost AirTag, but being reunited with it is proving far more difficult than anticipated. So, I’m guessing you’re wondering what happened? Well, Apple products are expensive, and while when it comes to the devices themselves I can understand the premium price tag, the money-saver in me baulks at the price of Apple’s accessories, and no more so than when it comes to AirTag. The AirTag itself is $29 / £29 / AU$45, which is more expensive than Tile. However, it doesn’t come with any way to attach it to items such as your keys – you’ll need to purchase this separately. The official Apple key fob, which ensures the AirTag can be attached to, well, keys only comes in a leather finish and will set you back a cool $35 / £35 / AU$55. There are Apple-made silicon loops that are slightly more affordable at $29 / £29 / AU$45 and approved third-party key fobs from the likes of Belkin, OtterBox and Tech21 – however these still cost at least $12.
