Do trackers work? g1 tests three models

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Items serve to locate luggage, wallets and keys – and even pets inside the house; Shopping Guide evaluated two models to put in the bag and one to find things around you. Shopping Guide: g1 trackers Nothing worse than going on a trip and, upon reaching your destination, discovering that the airline has left your bags somewhere along the way. For a little peace of mind while commuting, trackers are a great help. Just put one of the items in the suitcase and follow it on your cell phone screen where it is in a very precise location (see how they work). Other guides: FAMA ON TIKTOK: discover the trendy bottle, with a capacity of 2 liters of water FOR CATS: accessories that help felines and their owners SECURITY CAMERA: see options for monitoring the house ALL GUIDES Can also be used in a backpack , in the pet’s transport box or even on the key chain at home, which tends to fall into the crack of the sofa. Guia de Compras tested three models of trackers: Apple AirTag Samsung Galaxy SmartTag Geonav MyFinder The first two have location based on a network of several phones anonymously connected by the brand itself to track the object. They are also more expensive, starting at R$300 in online stores in February. Geonav’s model is a more economical version (it cost R$80), which only uses Bluetooth to locate objects with the tag near the cell phone. If you lose an item and it’s out of range of your cell phone, it could be lost forever. See the results of the tests below and, at the end, the conclusion. Apple AirTag Apple’s AirTag is the most expensive tracker in the test, sold for R$400 in online stores in February. And, as is common with branded products, it only works when connected to other Apple devices, such as the iPhone and iPad. The device has a circular shape, resembling a coin. It is 3.1 cm in diameter and weighs only 11 grams. The battery lasts 1 year, according to Apple, and is easily replaceable. To activate, simply open the AirTag box and approach the iPhone, which immediately recognizes the item and associates it with your Apple account. Just give the item a name (here the choice was “luggage”) and the AirTag already appears in the Buscar application, integrated into the iPhone/iPad operating system. Search: Apple application shows the exact location of the item with the AirTag g1 In Search, it is possible to configure AirTag alert sounds and notifications in case of forgetting. The app also allows you to activate the Lost item mode, which should only be activated if the item with the AirTag is really considered out of reach – such as a suitcase lost by the airline or a stolen wallet. The feature blocks the tag from pairing with other Apple accounts and displays a message on the iPhone next to whoever finds the item. After putting it in the suitcase and going to the airport, the Buscar app always showed where the luggage was. There is a little difference on the map compared to Samsung Galaxy Smart Tag. Here you can choose the type of street view (standard or satellite view). By Buscar, it was possible to track the suitcase throughout the journey, from leaving for the airport, passing through the connection and arriving at the final destination. If the suitcase had been lost, the AirTag would indicate its exact location. The only downside to the AirTag is that Apple created the product for use with additional accessories – it even has luxury branded items on the brand’s website. An official Apple leather keychain costs BRL 430, to use an example – more expensive than the tag itself. Because of this, it is not possible to attach the AirTag to other items without having the accessories. In the test, the solution was to use the AirTag loose in the bag itself, in an internal pocket. Both the Samsung and Geonav models have a hole in the piece to pass a lanyard or attach to a keychain. Samsung Galaxy SmartTag The Samsung Galaxy SmartTag works similarly to Apple’s tracker, with the Samsung smartphone network helping to find the lost object. But the device has a difference: it works with any cell phone with Android system, not exclusive to Samsung. In internet stores, Samsung’s tracker was sold for R$ 300 in early February. Its square design, with rounded edges, includes a holder to attach the Galaxy Smart Tag to other objects and a multifunctional button, something that does not exist in Apple’s AirTag. It is 3.9 cm long and weighs 13 grams. All configuration is done through the SmartThings app, which serves as the hub for connected products from Samsung and other brands. SmartThings indicates battery level, which can be changed. During the test, the app said that the load was considered sufficient (something quite variable, since “enough” is something between 16% and 100% capacity). Samsung Galaxy SmartTag: SmartThings app controls its use g1 Installation via SmartThings is very similar to AirTag. Just approach the Android phone, connect and the tag appears as an option among other connected devices in the app. The multifunctional button can be programmed to control the smart home. Through the control panel, it is possible to configure the tracker to turn on or off the lights at home when pressing the button, for example. You can even assign routines (programs like turning on lights or finding your cell phone) by pressing the button once or holding it down for a longer time. And the alert sounds, triggered when the tracker is located, can be configured through the app as well. The Samsung Galaxy Smart Tag was placed in the same checked bag, next to the AirTag. Localization takes longer than Apple. This could have to do with the proximity of more iPhones than Galaxy phones nearby during tracking. But it worked without problems, just with less sophisticated map details compared to AirTag. Indicated the place where the suitcase was at all times during departure, connection and arrival. and, if she was missing, it might help identify where to complain to the airline. GeoNav MyFinder Of the three trackers in the test, Geonav MyFinder is the simplest and cheapest. It cost R$70 in online stores in January. It doesn’t rely on a cellular network to locate the device, but it uses bluetooth connection to find nearby items that are up to 50 meters away. The idea here is not to find a lost object at an airport, but to find nearby things inside the house, whether it’s a key ring that fell in a crack in the sofa or the cat hidden inside the closet. The look of MyFinder is very similar to Samsung’s, a square with rounded corners, space to hang on the key ring and a button in the middle. It is 3.8 cm in diameter and weighs 12 grams. Its battery, according to the manufacturer, lasts around 1 year. It is easily replaceable and Geonav includes an extra battery in the product box, something Apple and Samsung products do not. Tracker configuration was performed using Geonav’s MyFinder application, which is as simple as the product. Just turn on bluetooth, sync your device and you’re done. The main screen of the MyFinder app shows a map with the location of the object, the strength of the tracker’s signal in relation to the cell phone and the battery capacity. MyFinder: app with the same name brings basic information about the g1 tracker In the settings, it is possible to adjust the tracker name, identification ringtone and control notifications, including a “silent time” to avoid interruptions at certain times. A useful feature of the tracker is the button, which serves to locate the smartphone if it is lost at home. It’s something that can even be configured on Samsung’s product, but it doesn’t even exist on Apple’s. During the trip, the Geonav MyFinder remained in the on-board backpack, without being checked in. After all, it would be located inside the airport only if the owner were 50 meters away, which is not always the case on a trip. But if the backpack was forgotten somewhere, the smartphone would beep. EASIEST Conclusion: The Apple AirTag is the friendliest and simplest to use of the three evaluated models. It has quick setup and its features are easily reported to anyone. The only problem is the need for an additional accessory for transportation, which involves spending more money – and which can be more expensive than the tracker itself. MORE VERSATILE Samsung Galaxy SmartTag earns points here for allowing its use as a remote control for smart home items, such as turning on lamps or commanding usage routines. WHAT ABOUT THE BATTERY? The three trackers are powered by CR2032 type batteries, the one with the “coin” style. Manufacturers estimate its use at around one year, confirmed by the test with the Galaxy SmartTag, purchased in March 2021 and with the battery changed in May 2022. This report was produced with complete editorial independence by our team of journalists and collaborators specialized. If the reader chooses to purchase a product from the links provided, Globo may earn revenue through commercial partnerships. We clarify that Globo does not have any control or responsibility over the possible shopping experience, even from the links provided. Questions or complaints regarding the product purchased and/or the purchase, payment and delivery process should be directed directly to the responsible retailer. View Shopping Guide videos

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