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If you’ve been a subscriber to my newsletter for several years, then you know that I’m constantly touting Apple AirTags. They are a must-have gadget for travelers and just this week, Apple came out with version 2.0, making them even more useful.
The new Apple AirTags are the same size as the original, meaning they are still compatible with accessories for the first version. But now, they have a louder speaker and a more powerful Bluetooth chip. According to tech expert Rich DeMuro, “the biggest upgrade is to Precision Finding. Apple has increased the range significantly. In my testing, my phone was able to guide me to an AirTag from about 150 feet away. With the original AirTag, that distance was closer to 50 feet.”
Even better news is that Apple didn’t raise the price. They’re still $29 for a single AirTag and $99 for a four-pack. The first-generation AirTags are still available for $69.99 for a four-pack and $25.99 for a single. EDITOR’S NOTE: These prices are accurate at the time of this publication but are subject to change.
I first wrote about Apple AirTags and Samsung SmartTags in the summer of 2022, which is when they really started to take off (literally and physically). Travel demand was so high and the airlines couldn’t keep up because they’d laid off so many workers during the pandemic. Remember the photos of baggage claim areas in London? See embedded post below.
Will it ever stop?
This is from today at Heathrow Terminal 2#aviation #Avgeeks pic.twitter.com/IZUtAAnfTr
— M Zulqarnain B (@MZulqarnainBut1) June 17, 2022
Fortunately, the airlines have hired more workers and they don’t have nightmare scenarios like LHR as often. It does still happen; I took the photo below at LAX a couple of years ago.
If you already have AirTags, you don’t necessarily need to upgrade unless you’re a road warrior or you need more. If you don’t upgrade, just make sure you change the battery every year. Here’s how:
I made a rookie mistake a few weeks ago when we were flying back to L.A. from our epic three-week family trip to Toronto, West Palm Beach, The Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Saint Maarten, Delray Beach and Las Vegas (for CES).
At the very last minute, we decided to take a 7am flight home instead of the noon flight. We scrambled to the airport. Since we were heading home I didn’t have much in it but like a fool, didn’t check to see if there was an AirTag in it. I thought my wife had put one in before we left and she thought I had slipped one in. When we landed in L.A., I realized I didn’t have the bag with me. I must have left it at security but I don’t know for sure because there was no AirTag. I filed a lost and found report right away but I keep getting weekly emails saying they haven’t found anything. That means someone either swiped it (I doubt it) or it’s going to end up at the Unclaimed Baggage Center in Alabama.
So don’t make the same mistake I did. Pop an AirTag (1st generation or 2nd) in all of your bags, checked and carry-on, for peace of mind that’s worth every penny of the cost of the AirTags.
KEEP READING
–How to Save Money With a Secret Third Carry-On
–How to Use Your Wireless Headphones to Watch In-Flight Movies
–10 Airport Security Hacks Every Traveler Should Know
–How to Get the Best Coach Seat on the Plane
–The Sleep Hack Every Traveler Needs to Know
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Thanks to Johnny I have purchased about a dozen AirTags over the years for me and my family. And they have come in handy for every air trip!! On a connecting flight to Costa Rica from FL, our three checked in bags on American didn’t state they were loaded at DFW. However, I was reassured they were because I tracked the bags with AirTags.
Just got the 2nd Gen. range is SO much better and I’ll replacing all the existing tags with version 2.0 in all of our checked in luggage and carryons.
Have learned a lot from you Johnny from your time at The Tech Guys and your newsletters over the years. Thank you!
Thank you for the kind words and continued support!
I place an Apple AirTag (now switching to version 2), a backupTile and an easily spotted copy of my air booking in each bag. Even on bus tours the hotel porter can leave your bag in the wrong room. It happens. In air terminal transiting I try to allow extra time in scheduling for my bag to easily transfer from one plane to the next. In overhead airline compartments, where you can’t easily watch, the risk is not zero. The risk to losing your bag when it’s out of your hands in the cruise ship hallway and hold overnight and in the cruise terminal is concerning.