Father’s Day is just around the corner, and while you’ve got a few days to buy your kids or your partner some last-minute presents, tech fans might be tempted by a nifty £16 gadget that also boasts sophisticated tracking capabilities to rival AirTags, making it the perfect chance to give an Apple-like gift on the cheap.
Compared to the £35 AirTags alone or the £99 four-pack, the Tile Mate is a fraction of the price – it’s been reduced to £15 from £19.99 in a mini Amazon sale – but the lower price doesn’t make a huge difference, and the Bluetooth tracker has a strong connection and is compatible with both iOS and Android smartphones.
Apple AirTags, Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTag, Tile Mate and even Chipolo’s lesser known Wallet Card Tracker are becoming increasingly popular with shoppers, especially travelers, so if your dad or your kid’s dad is planning on flying soon, they might be worth buying.
read more: “We tested Apple AirTags against their biggest competitors to see which is the most reliable for preventing lost luggage on a plane.”
read more: “I bought a £35 carry-on for my Ryanair flight. It fit more clothes than I expected and didn’t cost me a penny extra for the carry-on.”
The Tech Tracker can be attached to any personal item, such as a handbag, suitcase or pet collar, allowing you to monitor it when it’s out of sight. The tracker uses Bluetooth to connect to a paired device of your choice (such as a phone), and if it gets lost, a simple tap on the screen will send you a notification of its last known location.
The affordable Tile Mate can also be synced with Alexa devices and Google Home, so if you’ve lost your car keys, for example, you can just say “Alexa” or “Hey Google” find my keys and get a notification letting you know their location if you’re within a 200-foot range.
And Amazon shoppers have flocked to the reviews section to say the little tech item is “the best purchase they’ve ever made.” One recent buyer, who shared a comment headlined “My husband loses things, but not anymore,” said it was his partner’s favourite gift.
They said, “I bought this set for my husband for Valentine’s Day and he says it’s the best gift he’s ever gotten. He’s always losing his wallet, keys and phone. This list is for two items but it helps him find all three.”
“It’s so easy to use and accurate. When he opens the app it tells him the last time and where his keys and wallet were found, which reduces stress for my husband,” said one shopper, while another said she had “threw away our AirTags” for the app.
The Manchester Evening News recently tested the Apple AirTag against the cheaper Tile Tag to see if they matched up to what shoppers were saying. Read the full comparison here. hereBut briefly, there are some notable differences, chief among them Tile’s less-obtrusive subscription plans.
As we said in our review, “Apple’s dime-sized AirTags and Tile’s tiny, square trackers can both pinpoint the location of any gadget thanks to Bluetooth. The devices broadcast a personal network that can be found by other Tile or AirTag users who are near you or your tag.”
“The biggest difference between the two, and probably the big selling point for many, is compatibility: Tile is way ahead when it comes to working with a wide range of smartphones, including Android, while Apple is understandably limited to its own iPhones.
“The other big factor is price. Once you pay for the AirTag pack or the individual fees, there are no other costs. The app is free, and checking your history is free. However, Tile charges an extra £2.99 per month or £29.99 per year for features that are available for free with AirTags.”