If you're like us, there's probably a time or two (or 10) that you've misplaced an item. Maybe it's been in your house. Maybe it's been at work or in a restaurant. Maybe you've left something on a bus or a plane. What if there was something that had your back? Something small, something that stuck with whatever it is you keep losing, and kept an eye on it for you? Well, released today there is -- and it's called
Tile.
Tile is a small, unassuming plastic square that you can attach to your keys, your bike, your purse, your laptop, your car -- basically, if you lose track of it, you can Tile it. Once you've placed Tile on an object, Tile is ever-watchful, keeping you alert of where your object is at any given moment: but how does it do this? Well, Tile has a few tricks up its sleeve. Tile pairs with an app on your phone (both iOS and Android devices are supported), which allows you to see your object on a friendly map interface. The Tile app is sleek and easy to navigate, so almost anyone can pick it up and begin using it immediately.
Because Tile is Bluetooth Smart (BT 4.0), if you're within about 100 feet of Tile, it'll give you helpful hints on where you can check, as well as how far away it is. You'll also be able to have Tile play a cheerful little tune to say "Hey, I'm right here!" which is especially helpful for those times when you lose your car keys in your house. We really liked the tune -- it's loud, it's cheerful, and it could easily be mistaken for a phone ringing, so it's a lot less jarring to people around you if you are trying to find your things in a public place.
But what if you're not in that magical 100-foot range? No sweat -- Tile shows you on a map the last place it saw your stuff. Instead of driving all over the city to find out where you left your wallet, the Tile app will give you a close approximation to where you lost it. We tested this out, and thought it was pretty awesome, and perfect for people who tend to leave items over at friends' houses or at the office.
"But what if my stuff gets stolen or I lost it in a busy area?" you ask. While it might not be completely reliable, Tile has a plan for that. Go into your app and mark the item as "lost." Then, if someone else is running the Tile app and passes within 100 feet of your missing object, you'll get an alert on your phone, letting you know the exact location.
"But what if I'm always losing my phone!" Well, chances are you already know about iOS's Find My Phone feature, but maybe you don't have that option, or maybe you don't like it, or maybe you own a phone that doesn't have some sort of device tracking. Whatever your reason, it's worth knowing that Tile actually keeps track of your phone (or tablet) from the minute it's installed. Simply log into the app from a friend's phone on your Tile account, and it'll track where your phone was last seen, as well as allow you to send a push notification asking anyone who finds it for help.
It's worth noting that you can't replace the battery in Tile -- it's sealed up tight inside. After a year, the manufacturers suggest that you replace Tile completely. You can send your Tile to them, and they'll send you a brand new one of the latest model for a discounted price. It sounds a little pricey, and it is, but it's less pricey than cancelling all your credit cards, getting all your keys remade, or ordering a new Social Security card (which you shouldn't travel with, anyway!)
What's our verdict? It's not a perfect system, but it's a cheap and cheerful solution to a problem that plagues a lot of us. We like the fact that Tile is small, portable, and easy to take along, and if it catches on, could be a great crowdsourced lost-and-found. The physical
Tile can be purchased from the Tile website for $25 for a single unit, and there are discounts on larger quantities. Tile's app is available for free from the App Store.
Who could benefit from Tile:
If you're absentminded, or if you want a little extra security when you're traveling.
Who might not need Tile:
If you're not the type to misplace things frequently, the expense might outweigh the benefits a bit too much.
-- Amber Neely (
@SurferAmber)