The AirTag Has Serious Competition, Tile Bluetooth Tracker Goes for a Freebie-Like Price

Gizmodo

3 days ago

Just when you thought the Apple AirTag was headed toward that rarefied status where its name represents an entire category (think Kleenex, or Thermos), the rival Tile Bluetooth trackers have stepped up their game in a big way. Tile by Life360 is their name since being purchased by the makers of the family connection and safety app, and the Mate is one of their latest – and best — trackers.
You can decide for yourself when you hit Amazon for a limited-time deal on a Tile by Life360 Mate for just $20. The Mate is also available in 2-packs and 4-packs, but this deal on a single tracker that normally sells for $25 is an opportunity to compare and contrast if you're an AirTag user, or if you've not used a Bluetooth tracker before to keep tabs on your luggage or valuables.
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The Mate makes a strong case right out of the box. Unlike the Apple-centric AirTag, the Mate pairs and works seamlessly with Apple and Android devices via the Tile app or the Life360 app. It also has a loop built into its unibody design, so you can easily attach it to a key ring, carabiner, or basically anything without having to buy an extra accessory as you would with the AirTag.
The Tile Mate's lithium battery can last as long as three years, and it has an incredible Bluetooth range of 350 feet. The AirTag, which relies on the massive Find My network to locate lost items at a distance, only has a Bluetooth range of roughly 35 feet for those nagging little lost-in-the-couch-cushion items like keys or smartphones.
One of the best and most unique features of the Tile Mate is its ability to ring your missing phone — again, it can be an iPhone or an Android — even when it's in silent mode. Press the physical button on the Mate (another superior feature) and your phone will call out to be found. We also love the SOS feature that discretely alerts your Life360 circle that you're in a dangerous situation. If you're already a Life360 user for keeping track of your family, now you can add your bags, smartphones, keys, or anything else you track with the Mate and see everything and everyone in the same app.
Think of this limited-time Amazon deal on the Tile by Life360 Mate Bluetooth tracker as a $20 test run. Give it a try, and if you're as impressed by its versatility and advanced safety features as we are, come back for another one, or dive in with both feet and grab a 2- or 4-pack.
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