Apple has updated its Find My app to allow third-party products, giving users the ability to locate more things on its network.
Anyone with an Apple device is familiar with Find My – the app that helps you find your iPhone, iPad, laptop, Apple accessories, etc.
The Find My network comprises hundreds of millions of Apple devices across the globe, which are used to locate others. Up until now, Find My has only been able to locate Apple products, but now Apple is opening up the network to third-party products as well.
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“For more than a decade, our customers have relied on Find My to locate their missing or stolen Apple devices, all while protecting their privacy,” explains Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “Now we’re bringing the powerful finding capabilities of Find My, one of our most popular services, to more people with the Find My network accessory program.”
The Find My network accessory program is part of Apple’s Made for iPhone (MFi) Program – and allows any accessory developer to connect existing or new products to the network.
There is an emphasis on privacy with third-party products adhering to the Find My network’s privacy protections. Approved products can be added to the new Items tab and feature a “Works with Apple Find My” to denote compatibility.
Apple is also announcing a new draft specification for chipset manufacturers to be available in the next few months. This will give third-party device makers the ability to take advantage of Ultra-Wideband technology used within U1-equipped Apple devices. Apple says that this will create “a more precise, directionally aware experience when nearby.”
The first Find My-enabled products include VanMoof’s latest S3 and X3 e-bikes, Belkin’s SOUNDFORM Freedom True Wireless Earbuds, and the Chipolo ONE Spot item finder.
These products will be available to be added to your Find My app this week. Apple promises that more third-party device manufacturers will soon launch more Find My-enabled products and accessories.
Images: Apple