iOS 13 references new physical Apple-designed item tracker
Hidden within iOS 13 code, developers have uncovered references to Apple’s rumored new physical Tile-like item tracker, expected to allow users to clip a tag to valuables such as keys, wallets, and bags, to track their location within the new Find My app across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.
The Apple Post shared reports by Guilherme Rambo earlier this year that hinted Apple was working on combining Find My iPhone and Find my Friends into one singular app, which Apple has now done, and that the company was experimenting with a Tile-like tracking “tag” to be integrated within the refined Find My service.
Developer Steve Moser and Rambo from 9to5Mac have uncovered references to Apple’s item tracker within iOS 13 code, including a placeholder image (above) and an asset package for a device with the product type “Tag1,1”.
Now, the first beta of iOS 13 includes an asset package for a device with the product type “Tag1,1”. This type of asset package is used for pairing devices by proximity, the same way as AirPods and HomePod can be paired to a user’s device. – Another asset found on iOS 13 beta 1 also gives us a glimpse as to what this device will look like. It’s likely a mockup used for testing that was left out in the OS, but it matches descriptions of the device given by people involved in its development.
The item tracker is understood to have the internal codename of B389. We’ll have to wait and see if any further glues emerge, but it certainly looks as if the company is interested in yet again broadening its range of services.