With every update, for ease of users, Apple releases a slew of new features. Where, at one hand on Jan 26th, Apple released iOS 14.4 with a few bugs, including a few tweaks for the phone’s camera and Bluetooth. The public beta release of iOS 14.5 adds a new security feature to the Find My app.
Using this feature, Apple users can find misplaced iPhones, Apple Watches, iPads, and rumors suggest it will be compatible with third-party devices too.
Note: We do not recommend downloading beta on the device you use, as there could be bugs.
However, once the update is available for all, you can download it by heading to Settings app > General > Software Update.
Now let’s know in detail about the latest feature added to the Find My app.
What does the new safety feature have to offer?
Using the new feature, iPhone users will be able to prevent themselves from being stalked. As, the Item Safety Alerts, will notify the user if an unknown device is being tracked moving with you on the Find My app.
Why this feature?
It seems Apple understands the risk and trauma of being stalked. Hence, to counteract the scenario were using Find My-compatible devices people can track the movements, it has added the Item Safety Alert feature.
To explain, Apple blogger Benjamin Mayo shared a tweet.
Something I hadn’t considered before: new beta includes a Item Safety setting in Find My. This is how Apple is trying to prevent ‘stalking’ with AirTags. If someone secretly hides a tag in your possessions, your phone will notice and warn you about it. pic.twitter.com/NVJyAZlthw
— Benjamin Mayo (@bzamayo) March 4, 2021
How Does Item Safety Alert Work?
Item Safety Alert feature added to Find My app within the Me tab will notify users about an unknown item detected moving with them. In simple words, this security feature will alert the user about an unknown item being used to track you, that can be in your bag, in your car via the Find My app.
Note: These alerts can be disabled via the Me tab, only after Apple shows an explicit warning pop-up, that disabling Item Safety Alerts will allow a person to see your location and you’ll not be notified.
What Role Will Airtags Play?
The AirTags are Apple’s long-awaited trackers, rumored to contain a U1 ultra-wideband chip that will transmit more data than Bluetooth. This means using AirTags, locating the lost devices will be easy, but this can be misused. Hence, if anyone tries to use AirTags or a similar device to stalk you Find My app will notify you about it.
Note: AirTags will neither store nor share any information. They will just use location to find the device.
Is It Apple’s Way To Create A User’s Prototype?
Undeniably, bio authentication is good for user’s security, but for Apple, it seems to be more like hitting a jackpot. You must be wondering what do I mean by this, right?
Well, Apple has got everything, the company already has your fingerprint from Touch ID, a face from facial ID, and now they want your voice saying this is for enhanced security. So, is it what Apple says it is, or is it a plot to take as more information to recreate a whole us?
At this point, we can only pray that doesn’t happen, but at the rate at which we are sharing information with Apple, in no time Tim Cook will be able to create a whole new us.
How Will This New Feature Help?
Apple says the new feature will prevent unknown tracking devices from transmitting your location. Also, compatible devices including those without internet connectivity will be able to sync to the network and become locatable when accessing the Find My app.
As devices like Tile, SmartTag, and other track items use location allowing the stalker to stalk, using the new feature, Apple will alert the user about these trackers and will prevent users from being stalked.
How the new feature added to the Find My app will give peace of mind that privacy is protected?
Added to iPhone since inception (2017), Find My iPhone currently known as Find My is now a native app across all Apple devices. With the help of this service, users can easily locate their devices.
All this explains a lot about Apple’s in-line privacy feature and what Apple plans, but does this also mean that the AirTags tracker will soon be out in the market?
What is your stand? Do you think Item Safety Alert will be of use or not?
Do share your comment and thoughts in the section below.
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