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Apple are indisputably a leader in intuitive design—on many occasions raising the bar for how a product feels, and delivering some of the best user experiences I've ever seen.
But after spending a few weeks using AirTags, I'm disappointed.
I also noticed that the majority of the reviews I'd read online used stock imagery, whilst demoing the tags in a controlled office environment. It's likely that the rush to release reviews quickly—for relevancy—meant that very few people tested them thoroughly.
But to appreciate the intricacies of a world-class UX, you need to really get 'into the weeds' of a product. Which is what I've done.
This isn't a review of the Apple AirTags, but rather an intimate analysis of how they could improve very specific parts of their user experience.
Even Apple misfire from time to time.
Summary
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1. Why you need real-time positioning
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2. Your AirTag isn't reachable
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3. The most stressful notification ever created
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4. The issue with custom messages
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5. The search for milliseconds
5 ways to improve the UX of AirTags
1. Why you need real-time positioning
If any Apple device gets within range of a lost AirTag (approximately 100 meters), then it silently—and unknowingly to the passer by—pings its location through the 'Find My' network, telling the owner where the item is.
Written by Peter Ramsey
Published
Last edited
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