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Its hard to tell the difference between Apples second-generation AirTag and the almost-five-year-old original just by looking at them. In fact, the only way to tell is the many scratches on my old tracker, picked up from all those years attached to my keyring, living in my pocket. While the price is still $29, Apples latest tracker packs some core upgrades. The new AirTag has a second-generation ultra-wideband (UWB) chip that extends its Precise Finding range up to 50 percent, though it requires an iPhone 15 or newer to do so. Its also apparently 50 percent louder and has a new, higher-pitched chime. Still no keyring hole, though. The new AirTag looks the same. Its arguably the most understated hardware design Apple has ever made, with no buttons or ports, just a company logo on one side. Its made from a combination of a stainless steel plate and a (now 85-percent recycled) plastic enclosure. Its like a thick coin, a little bigger than a quarter, and slips into any small pocket or wallet. The battery can be replaced by rotating the backing off, but it's still solid enough that I never felt there was a risk of coming off accidentally. Apples accessories to attach the AirTag to your keys are still more expensive than the tracker itself. However, compared to when the original tracker launched, theres now a rich collection of third-party options from the likes of Mophie, Belkin and more, many of which are more reasonably priced at around $15. A $35 keyring for a $29 tracker is a very tough sell, Apple. Apple's new AirTag promises increased range and a louder ring chime. Mat Smith for Engadget Setting up a new AirTag is just as effortless as its predecessor. Pull out the plastic tag, connecting the battery, and a notification will pop up on your nearby iPhone. You can then name it, assign it to an item and itll join your list of findable Apple hardware. Ive been testing the range of the new AirTag, and if anything, the 50 percent increase in Precision Finding range is a conservative estimate. Naturally, tracking can be affected by building structure, walls, a lack of nearby Find My network devices and other interference, but the next-generation AirTags getting closer screen consistently appeared on my phone when I was around 80 feet away. The older tracker, however, needed me to be around 30-40 feet away to do the same. The benefit of Precision Finding was limited on the debut AirTag, because its range was so tiny especially in busy environments. The hardware upgrades now make it truly useful. The new AirTag is also faster to connect and more responsive to my movements and sudden turns, thanks, I expect, to the new ultra-wideband chip. You can now also use newer Apple Watches (Series 9, Ultra 2 and up) with precision location detection. After updating her Apple Watch Series 11 to the latest software, my colleague Cherlynn Low reported that locating the new AirTag was pretty much the same as on an iPhone. She did find it slightly counterintuitive to have to first add the Find My shortcut to the Control Center on the watch instead of going to the Find My Items app to do so, but ultimately, once she did that, it mirrored the existing setup for Precision Finding on iPhones. Apple's new AirTag promises increased range and a louder ring chime. Mat Smith for Engadget Apple also redesigned the AirTags speaker assembly, which it says makes sounds 50 percent louder. Possibly the most effective audio upgrade is a higher-pitched chime thats easier to hear over ambient noise and in busy public spaces. I could hear it ringing out from the other side of my gyms locker room, while inside a locker, over music playing in the background. My old AirTag was inaudible until I was a few feet away from my locker. I always thought the sound on the original AirTag was a little too low-key for something you were urgently trying to find. (Id love to be able to customize the chime, though.) Its the Find My network that makes the AirTag shine. Apples massive footprint of over a billion devices, from iPhones to Macs, continues to offer a tracking range and finer precision than GPS and Bluetooth alone. If anything, this network is even more built out since the launch of the first Apple tracker. Since we tested the first AirTag, Apple has added multiple new features, usually through iOS updates, that expanded the utility and versatility of its trackers. In iOS 17, you could share an AirTag throug Family Sharing. In iOS 18.2, Share Item Location allowed you to share your tracking information with third parties (such as airlines or train companies), improving the chances of finding the AirTag. There have also been subsequent safety upgrades, including expanding unknown tracker alerts to Android devices without needing to install an app. Apple also reduced the time an AirTag takes to emit a sound when separated from its owner, shifting the interval to a random range between 8 and 24 hours. At launch, this was a three-day span. Wrap-up Apple's second-gen AirTag is still $29. Mat Smith for Engadget Do you need the new AirTag? While improved in every way, its pretty much the same device. However, the AirTags simplicity and ease of use are second to none when it comes to Bluetooth trackers. If you already own a single AirTag for your keys or wallet, upgrading to the second-gen iteration and repurposing the old one to track, say, your luggage, makes a lot of sense. You get the more precise location tracking and sensing for your smaller item, while you can reduce your bag anxiety if your suitcase doesnt make it to your destination. There's no doubt the second-gen AirTags are improved, and thankfully, upgrading to the new capabilities doesnt come at too steep a cost. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/apple-airtag-2026-review-143000427.html?src=rss
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Nintendo has lined up its first showcase of the year. The next Nintendo Direct is taking place on February 5 at 9AM ET, the company has announced. It will run for around 30 minutes.As previous reports suggested, it will focus on third-party titles from partners instead of first-party games from Nintendo itself. So if you were hoping for new Mario or Zelda announcements, that may not happen during this event. Still, you can expect to hear about new games that are coming to Switch and Switch 2. You can tune into the Direct via the YouTube video embedded above. FromSoftwares The Duskbloods, a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, is slated to arrive this year, so we may get another look at that (or the Switch 2 version of Elden Ring, for that matter). Meanwhile, Resident Evil Requiem will hit the console later this month, so it wouldnt be surprising to see Capcom making an appearance during this Direct.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendos-first-direct-showcase-of-2026-is-scheduled-for-february-5-141931154.html?src=rss
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Apples AirTag makes it easy to keep tabs on everyday items like keys, bags and luggage using the Find My network. Setup is quick, requires no tools and takes just a minute or two as long as you have a compatible iPhone or iPad. Once paired, your AirTag quietly works in the background to help you locate misplaced belongings. This guide walks through how to set up an AirTag, how to name it so you can easily identify what its attached to and what to do if setup doesnt go as planned.What you need before setting up an AirTagBefore you begin, make sure you have the following:An iPhone or iPad signed in to your Apple AccountBluetooth enabled on that deviceLocation Services enablediOS or iPadOS 14.5 or later (AirTag 2nd generation requires iOS or iPadOS 26.2.1 or later)A stable Wi-Fi or cellular connectionYoull also want to ensure iCloud Keychain is enabled and that your Apple Account setup is fully completed in Settings.How to set up an AirTag using your iPhone or iPadThe easiest way to set up an AirTag is directly through the on-screen setup prompt.Remove the plastic tab from your AirTag to activate the battery.Hold the AirTag near your unlocked iPhone or iPad.When the setup animation appears, tap Connect.Choose a category for your AirTag, such as Keys, Backpack or Luggage. If you select Custom Name, you can type your own label and choose an emoji.Tap Continue to link the AirTag to your Apple Account.Tap Done to finish setup.Once completed, the AirTag will appear under the Items tab in the Find My app. If youre setting up multiple AirTags, make sure only one is near your device at a time. If more than one is detected, a notification will appear saying More than one AirTag detected. If this happens, move the others farther away and try again.How to add an AirTag using the Find My appIf the setup animation doesnt appear automatically, you can add an AirTag manually through Find My.Open the Find My app on your iPhone or iPad.Tap the Items tab.Tap the Add button.Select Add AirTag or Other Item (if youre adding a compatible FindMy Network accessory).Follow the on-screen instructions to complete setup.You can add up to 32 items in Find My, including AirTags, shared items and compatible accessories. If youve reached the limit, youll need to remove an item before adding a new one.What to do if your AirTag wont connectIf setup fails or the pairing animation disappears, try the following steps:Lock your iPhone or iPad, unlock it again and wait about 15 seconds for the animation to reappear.Make sure Bluetooth and Location Services are turned on in Settings.Check that Find My has permission to use Precise Location.Ensure youre signed in to your Apple Account and iCloud Keychain is enabled.Verify your device is running the latest version of iOS or iPadOS (iOS or iPadOS 26.2.1 or later).If the AirTag still wont connect, the battery may need replacing. AirTags use a standard CR2032 coin cell battery, and swapping it only takes a minute. If issues persist after replacing the battery, you may need to reset the AirTag and try setup again.How to name and label your AirTagNaming your AirTag makes it much easier to identify when youre tracking multiple items. During setup, Apple offers preset labels like Keys or Backpack, but you can customize these at any time.To rename an AirTag after setup:Open the Find My app.Tap Items and select your AirTag.Tap Add Name or Rename Item.Choose a preset label or select Custom Name.Optionally add an emoji for quick visual identification.Clear labels are especially helpful if you use AirTags for travel, work gear or shared household items.Apple AirTagEngadgetAttaching your AirTag to everyday itemsAirTags dnt have built-in clips or adhesive, so youll usually need an accessory to attach one securely. Depending on how you plan to use it, that could mean a key ring, luggage tag, wallet insert or bike mount.If youre unsure which style works best, Engadget has rounded up the best Apple AirTag accessories, covering options for keys, bags, wallets and more. Choosing the right accessory helps ensure your AirTag stays attached and works the way you expect.Wrap-upAfter setup, your AirTag will automatically update its location using Apples Find My network. You can view its last known location, play a sound to help locate it nearby or use Precision Finding on supported iPhones to guide you directly to it. With just a few minutes of setup and a clear label, an AirTag can become a reliable way to keep track of important belongings, whether youre at home or on the move.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/how-to-set-up-an-airtag-120000789.html?src=rss
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