Tile Bluetooth tracker, great gadget or gimmick?
If you’re like me you’re always losing your keys. And your phone and your wallet. Apparently, we are not alone as the average person spends around 60 hours a year looking for misplaced things. Tech companies are looking for ways through which to alleviate the scourge. A UK based company, Tile’s solution is a series of superthin devices that use Bluetooth to find and keep track of your stuff. Useful gadget or gimmick? I put it to the test.
Tile’s solution comes in different guises for different needs (and pockets). Tile Sport is a little more rugged and outdoorsy; Tile Style is a bit sexier looking; Tile Mate is the no-frills version and Tile Slim is bigger than the rest and best for wallets, tablets and laptops. Sport and Style is both louder and has a longer range (200ft) but they are also more expensive. I opted for the Tile Mate and attached it to my car keys.
Tile Mate Overview
- Color: White and matt silver
- Technology: Bluetooth
- Range: 100 feet
- Battery: 1-year (non-replaceable)
- Weight: 6.1g
- Size: 34 x 34 x 4.65
- Price range:: Under $25
To use the Tile you have to download the Tile app for Android or Apple. As expected, the app takes seconds to download and walks you through every step of establishing a Bluetooth link with your Tile which pretty much entails pressing the silver Tile logo . Once that is done the Tile uses the location services of your mobile device to communicate up-to-date location information to the app.
It wasn’t long before I found myself scrounging around for my keys and I could put my new toy to the test. I navigated to the app, pressed the ‘Find’ button and the Tile attached to my car-keyring started to ring. Within seconds I managed to find my keys where they had fallen in between the couch cushions!
How it works
By clicking the app your Tile will ring, provided it is within Bluetooth range (about 100 feet). But what if you’ve truly lost your keys and they are now out of range? Well, the Tile then relies on the Tile community at large. If you’ve marked an item as lost in the app and another user goes near enough to your Tile, its location will be sent to your phone.
Drawbacks
Because the Tile Mate is waterproofed the battery is non-replaceable.
It becomes quite difficult to hear the Tile Mate when it rings outside, and it is virtually impossible to determine the direction. Definitely better suited for indoor use.
Highlights
This little gadget has already saved me time and money,so I definitely recommend it. I also love the sleek design, elegant and unobtrusive. If that is enough, you’re doing your part for the environment for all the Tiles are 99% recyclable. What is pretty nifty is that if it is your phone that is missing, you can make it ring by pressing the Tile, even if your phone is on silent.
Tips
- You can tell if you’re in range by the color of the ring surrounding the Tile icon in your app! If it’s green, you’re good to go.
- Share access to your Tile with a friend or family member.
- Whenever your Tile is out of range the app will immediately record its last known position on a map. This serves as a handy starting point.
- Be sure to shop around, prices can vary significantly depending on where you shop.