• Ghostalmedia@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    41
    arrow-down
    5
    ·
    1 year ago

    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.

    • nbafantest@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      8
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      1 year ago

      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*

      • jmcs@discuss.tchncs.de
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        8
        ·
        1 year ago

        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.

        • m-p{3}@lemmy.ca
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          2
          ·
          1 year ago

          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.

      • Ghostalmedia@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        4
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        1 year ago

        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.

        • pjhenry1216@kbin.social
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          3
          arrow-down
          4
          ·
          edit-2
          1 year ago

          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.

          • Ghostalmedia@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            1
            arrow-down
            1
            ·
            1 year ago

            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.

            • pjhenry1216@kbin.social
              link
              fedilink
              arrow-up
              1
              arrow-down
              1
              ·
              1 year ago

              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.

      • Ghostalmedia@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        4
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        1 year ago

        I am as well. AirTags have outsold Tile significantly, and they’re waaaay more accurate because of the much bigger network.

        • Daefsdeda@sh.itjust.works
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          2
          arrow-down
          1
          ·
          1 year ago

          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.

    • pjhenry1216@kbin.social
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      9
      arrow-down
      7
      ·
      1 year ago

      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.

      • EliasChao@lemmy.one
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        6
        ·
        1 year ago

        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.

        • mckean@programming.dev
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          1
          ·
          1 year ago

          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).

        • Ghostalmedia@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          1
          ·
          1 year ago

          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.

      • Ghostalmedia@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        1
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        1 year ago

        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.