Things are getting more and more interesting in the smart tracker segment. Google’s improved Find My Device network has helped make it more competitive. The new Tile trackers don’t support the latter, but they make up for it by doubling as a “panic button” to compete against Apple’s AirTags.
Tile is one of the most prominent names in the trackers industry. However, the company’s last release was three years ago. The wait for new products is finally over, as the now Life360-owned company has released four new trackers. The latest Tile Pro, Tile Mate, Tile Slim, and Tile Sticker bring expected improvements such as louder sound, greater coverage range, and better water resistance.
Tile Pro, Tile Mate, Tile Slim, and Tile Sticker double as “panic buttons”
The company’s new devices are not a revolution compared to previous models. This is normal, as smart trackers don’t offer much room for powerful technological innovations. In fact, some might find the new trackers somewhat “outdated” due to the lack of Find My Device and UWB support (AirTags are compatible with the latter). However, they do stand out from the competition by being able to trigger SOS alerts.
The SOS Alert is not exactly a new feature within the company’s current ecosystem. In fact, it’s an integration of Life360’s SOS Alert option with the new Tile’s trackers. Basically, the new products act as a remote shortcut in case you need it. The company describes the function as follows:
“When a Life360 member with a Gold or Platinum membership triggers an SOS, our emergency dispatchers will call to assess the situation and contact the appropriate authorities, such as the police or ambulance, if needed. If the member doesn’t answer, the dispatcher will automatically notify local authorities to dispatch help. Dispatchers will also call Circle members and emergency contacts until someone answers, informing them that emergency services have been dispatched to the member’s location.”
You need a monthly subscription to use SOS Alerts
The new lineup supports an additional 30 meters of range compared to the previous generation. This will help make the “Panic button” feature even more effective on Tile Pro ($35), Tile Mate ($25), Tile Slim ($30), and Tile Sticker ($25) trackers. Using SOS Alerts feature requires a $14.99 Life360 Gold subscription. Lastly, the Tile Pro is the only one that offers a user-replaceable battery.
