Chipolo Takes Dig at AirTags When Advertising ONE Spot Item Tracker: 'No Accessory Needed'

[MacRumors]

Prior to when Apple announced the AirTags, companies including Chipolo, VanMoof, and Belkin debuted products that are part of the Find My network accessory program, integrating directly with the Find My app so they can be tracked when lost.

Of the three companies, Chipolo has the most AirTag-like device, a Bluetooth item tracker called the ONE Spot. Chipolo will need to compete with the AirTags to get people to make a purchase, and the company has already started its advertising campaign.

In an email titled "Can you spot the difference?" that was sent to prospective customers, Chipolo said that the ONE Spot "Attaches directly to your keyring," with "no accessory needed," pointing out one of the benefits of its tracker compared to the AirTags.

AirTags are small, circular item trackers that have no attachment point and require a secondary accessory to attach to key rings and other items. Apple sells accessories starting at $29, which is the same price as the AirTag, essentially doubling the price. Some of Apple's accessories are even more expensive, topping out with a $449 Hermès Luggage Tag.

There are more affordable accessories and some situations, such as tucking the AirTag inside a bag, won't require an accessory, but Chipolo does have an edge with the built-in loop for those who want to use a ring to attach it to keys and other items.

Chipolo's ONE Spot won't be available for preorder for another two weeks and it's not shipping out until June, which puts it well behind the AirTags. AirTags will begin arriving to customers later this week.

Because it integrates with the Find My app, the ONE Spot works just like the AirTag and can be located alongside other Apple devices right in the Find My app. It does, however, lack a U1 chip for the Precision Finding feature that the AirTags offer. Chipolo has yet to announce pricing for the ONE Spot.

(Thanks, Perry!)

Article Link: Chipolo Takes Dig at AirTags When Advertising ONE Spot Item Tracker: 'No Accessory Needed'

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Nice shade. Where can I buy it? Oh…

 

[dwaltwhit]

That is a fair critique of airtags. Apple is so confident that they are making money off of selling you a hole.

 

[FrizzleFryBen]

any chance airbags will one day connect with HomeKit for use as a key fob type of device? or additional proximity sensor for automations rather than relying simply on an iPhone on a human?

 

[kstotlani]

This was my first thought. Airtags cost $60 not $30 because of the accessories.

 

[kstotlani]

any chance airbags will one day connect with HomeKit for use as a key fob type of device? or additional proximity sensor for automations rather than relying simply on an iPhone on a human?

Did you notice your auto correct for air tags. I am surprised Apple didn’t put the AirTag word in its dictionary and I am on iOS 14.5.

 

[Yaboze]

Would it have killed them to put a simple loop on it? It cost $29 just to connect it to something? That's ridiculous.

 

[justperry]

Apple touts themselves as being so environment friendly, hypocrites.

Is it so hard to add a small hole.
$$$...I get it.

 

[Caliber26]

Does being on the Find My network allow these third-party products to ping iPhones the same way the AirTags do?

 

[Flood4]

This was my first thought. Airtags cost $60 not $30 because of the accessories.

More like 35$. Plenty of 5$ holder.
Who would want to pay 30$ for it?!

 

[Seanm87]

Who?

Always makes me laugh when these small time companies take a shot at apple. Lets see whose still around in 10 years.

 

[countryside]

A dig? Really? Oh brother. That’s a fair statement for them to make. Dramatic much?

 

[rictus007]

IDK, non-Apple branded accessories are at $10 (Amazon). Quality wise, I’m not sure.

 

[Corsig]

I mean they’re not wrong. Very silly over sight

 

[GadgetBen]

Can you spot the difference?

Yep, no U1 support. Pass.

 

[justperry]

I mean they’re not wrong. Very silly over sight

It's not an oversight.

 

[deebinem]

Is the Chipolo Ocean Edition the only one in their lineup that is made from recycled materials? I feel like they could have made all of their trackers with recycled fishing nets instead of contributing to more plastics out there.

 

[goobot]

I’m buying one of these for my dad, not only does it have a keyhole but it can home your phone by clicking it.

 

[goobot]

Does being on the Find My network allow these third-party products to ping iPhones the same way the AirTags do?

They do

 

[kenni417]

they're not wrong though. you can be a massive apple fanboy and you still couldn't defend this in a right mindset.

 

[kiensoy]

A dig? Really? Oh brother. That’s a fair statement for them to make. Dramatic much?

It’s becoming this tradition of making all Apple competitors look like the absolute enemy.

 

[apparatchik]

This was my first thought. Airtags cost $60 not $30 because of the accessories.

There will be $4 accessories in days time if not already, maybe even $1 ones, so, put it at $33 total cost.

How much is this Chipolo tracker? T-Mobile just announced one for $60…

 

[duervo]

I mean they’re not wrong. Very silly over sight

Agree that they (this other company) aren’t wrong, but I don’t believe that it’s an oversight on Apple’s part. Accessories for the AirTags creates one more stream of revenue for them. Brands like Belkin are selling holders for $15 or so. Just a matter of time before we see even cheaper options available on Amazon. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see some for as low as $3-$5.

Frankly, if this is all that Chipolo can come up with to differentiate their upcoming product from AirTags, then I suspect their product is at risk of being DOA.

 

[FrizzleFryBen]

Did you notice your auto correct for air tags. I am surprised Apple didn’t put the AirTag word in its dictionary and I am on iOS 14.5.

that's awesome! Not sure why not either... I'm on a fully updated M1 air today

 

[nutmac]

any chance airbags will one day connect with HomeKit for use as a key fob type of device? or additional proximity sensor for automations rather than relying simply on an iPhone on a human?

That would be great.

Automation possibilities like:

• Bring AirTag into the room that has HomePod mini (ultra wideband). Between 15 minutes after sunset and bedtime, turn on the room light.
• At night, AirTag in your pocket at certain distance and direction from the HomePod mini activates the backyard light.
• Accidentally locked the door with AirTag inside the house. Turn on the entrance light as a reminder.

Unfortunately, AirTag is probably a passive device. It's probably transmitting only periodically, or when Find My app is launched (I read that the initial connection may take as much as 30 seconds).