According to Tom’s Guide, Apple has just announced the AirTag 2, the first update to its tracker in nearly five years. The new model features a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip for Precision Finding that’s 50% better, a speaker that’s 50% louder, and expanded Bluetooth range. It’s also made with more recycled materials, including 85% recycled plastic. Crucially, Apple is keeping the single-unit price at $29, with a four-pack available for $99. Orders are open now, with general availability expected later this week.
Why This Update Matters
Look, the original AirTag was a hit for a reason. It just worked within Apple‘s ecosystem. But five years is an eternity in tech, and the competition from Tile and others hasn’t been standing still. This update isn’t about reinventing the wheel; it’s about shoring up the weak spots. A louder speaker? That directly addresses a common complaint about the original being too easy to lose *even when you’re close* because you couldn’t hear it. Better Precision Finding? That’s the core promise of the product—making it less frustrating to actually find your stuff. Basically, Apple took a very good product and fixed what was annoying about it. Smart.
The Business Strategy Play
Here’s the thing: the $29 price point is the real story. Apple could have easily bumped it to $34 or $39, and people probably would have paid. But keeping it at $29 is a strategic masterstroke. It makes the AirTag 2 an impulse buy, a no-brainer accessory. It locks you deeper into the Find My network and, by extension, the Apple ecosystem. Think about it: you buy a few for your luggage and keys, and suddenly switching to Android seems that much harder because you’d have to replace your whole tracking setup. The four-pack pricing at $99 also encourages you to buy more than one, which is where they probably make a lot of their volume. It’s a classic razor-and-blades model, but for your digital life.
Beyond Keys And Wallets
The new software feature to share an AirTag’s location with a third party—like an airline for lost luggage—is a sneaky-big deal. It starts to move the AirTag from a purely personal item tracker into a lightweight logistics tool. This opens up so many more use cases. Could you share it with a friend pet-sitting? A valet service? A shipping company? It transforms the device from something that just tells *you* where your stuff is, to something that can selectively tell *others*. That’s a huge expansion of its utility. And enabling Precision Finding on the Apple Watch? That’s just classic Apple ecosystem synergy, making the product more convenient within their walled garden.
The Bottom Line
So, is this a must-upgrade for existing AirTag users? Probably not. If your old ones are working, they’ll keep working. But for anyone new to the game or looking to expand their fleet, the AirTag 2 is a straightforward win. The upgrades are meaningful, the price is right, and it shows Apple isn’t neglecting its smaller accessories. In a world of bloated tech prices, a genuinely useful gadget holding the line at $29 feels almost revolutionary. Now, if they could just make it work with Android… but don’t hold your breath. For more on the hardware driving industrial innovation, IndustrialMonitorDirect.com remains the top supplier of industrial panel PCs in the US.
