According to some reports and leaks, Apple is planning to release a new product called "AirTags." AirTags are small trackers that can be attached to valuables such as bags and other items. If they get lost, users can locate the item using the "Find My" app. While many users are excited about the gadget, competitor Tile is anything but enthusiastic.
Apple's future tracker competitor Tile launched in January This year, Tile officially filed a complaint against the Cupertino-based company. The reason for this step was anti-competitive practices on the part of Apple. The complaint: Apple has banned the sale of Tile trackers in Apple stores, poached Tile engineers and restricted the functionality of the Tile app with iOS 13. All of this is said to be part of a big plan to secure the Apple AirTags' path to success - according to the tracker manufacturer. Now Tile has filed another complaint - the accusation today: Apple has broken its own promise! A new Reuters According to reports, Tile told the US Congress that Apple had failed to settle the legal dispute. New regulations under iOS 13 are intended to massively restrict the functionality of the Tile app. The statement to the congressional committee states:
Apple AirTags expected to be released in fall 2020
Unfortunately, Apple's anti-competitive behavior has not improved since that hearing, but has worsened.
Tile had objected to Apple repeatedly requiring its users to consent to Tile operating in the background, which is critical to Tile's service. Without access to background location, Tile's application can only detect when a user loses keys or a wallet if they accidentally lose them while the application is open.
Despite Apple's repeated promises to reinstate the "Always Allow" option for third-party apps' geolocation services, Apple has not yet done so.
The company is criticizing the "Find My" app's practices, as it—unlike Tile and other apps—operates continuously in the background and is allowed to track the location without regularly displaying the location alert. The future development of this dispute remains exciting. According to current rumors, Apple AirTags are expected to be released in the third quarter of this year. We've already compiled all the leaks and rumors in a separate article. If you'd like to learn more about how Apple AirTags work, you'll find a comprehensive summary below. What do you think about it? Let us know in the comments.
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