Why you might want a Chipolo tracker over an Apple AirTag for Black Friday

My apartment isn’t that big. You would think that I would remember where I put my keys, wallet and bag when I get home every day, but I never do. And it’s the bane of my existence, especially when I’m rushing out of the house and can’t find all the things I need to start my day.

However, thanks to Bluetooth trackers, I don’t really do that to lose nothing more. Or if I lose sight of something, I can easily find it again.

The One point ($28)which Chipolo released earlier this year is a Bluetooth tracker that leverages Google’s relatively new crowdsourced Find My Device network of more than 1 billion Android devices to help you easily find your tagged keys, wallet, luggage, backpack, car, and other find items you might lose track of.

At the moment that is possible receive a three tracker bundle at 15% discount the price for purchasing two key fobs and one card separately or a pack of four One Point trackers for 20% discountor $60 for Black Friday.

Read more: 30+ Amazon Black Friday deals are live now

Taking advantage of Google’s tracking network means that in addition to using your own phone to locate the One Point tracker (with the Find My Device app), you can also access all the other Android devices around you, from both friends as strangers (completely private), to better track your item no matter where it is or how far you are from the item.

For more: Here’s why you shouldn’t put an AirTag on a pet and five unexpected places to use a tracker.

How does the Chipolo One Point tracker work?

The small plastic tracker, which weighs relatively nothing, is about an inch and a half in diameter, about the size of those old Eisenhower dollar coins (I’m showing my age). Unlike the Apple AirTag, the One Point also has a built-in keyring hole, so you don’t have to buy an accessory to attach the tracker to your item; you just need a key ring.

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Once your One Point is connected to your phone, you can check the location of your tracked item using Google’s Find My Device app. You can easily see on a map where the tracker is located and how far away you are. If you can’t find the tracker with your eyes, you can always force it to make a fairly loud sound (120db) so that you can clearly hear where it is, even if it is under a pile of clothes.

The battery life is about a year, but you can easily open the tracker (there is a small hole on the side) to replace the CR2032 battery. That’s possible buy a pack of 10 CR2032 batteries for less than $6and apparently that should last ten years.

And if you place your tracker on something that’s shared, like a large piece of checked luggage for you and your family, you can share the information with a loved one so you can both keep an eye on the tracker from separate Android devices. devices.

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Why should you get the Chipolo One Point via the AirTag?

There’s really only one reason why you should get the Chipolo One Point tracker, and that’s if you own an Android device. The Chipolo One Point is specially made for Android phones and tablets and works with Google’s Find My Device app. If you own an Android, you definitely don’t want an AirTag, especially because there is no way to connect an AirTag to an Android device.

If you have both an Apple and Android device, there are a few other reasons to choose the Chipolo One over an AirTag:

• The Chipolo One is cheaper than the AirTag. Only a dollar, but still.
• The Chipolo One has a built-in keychain hole. The AirTag doesn’t have a keyring hole, so you’ll have to buy an accessory, which ultimately makes the AirTag a more expensive purchase.
• There is a card version of the Chipolo. The Card Point is a card tracker designed specifically for your wallet. There is currently no AirTag card tracker.

How to set up your Chipolo One Point tracker

All you have to do right out of the box is press your Chipolo One Point (you’ll hear a pretty loud noise from the little device) and then place the tracker next to your phone. Your Android device will automatically detect the tracker, as long as you have downloaded the Find My Device app.

The pop-up on your screen will guide you through all the setup instructions, including linking the device to your email account, agreeing to join Google’s Find My Device network, and enabling recent locations for offline devices .

All in all, setup takes less than a minute. And then you can easily track your item from your phone.

Make sure you don’t lose your phone.

Why the Chipolo tracker would make a great gift

I have enough soap, chocolate coins and socks to last many lifetimes. But I would like to see the Chipolo tracker hanging above the fireplace this holiday season. And best of all, if I was up really late the night before, I should be able to find my stocking easily with the tracker in it.

While you’re here, check out AirTag vs. Tile and SmartTag and Apple and Google both have ways to find your lost devices, but here’s the winner.