Do you sometimes find it difficult to find your wallet or backpack? That's why we've delved into the world of smart locators and have previously joined Find My, Apple's global search network. Not only FIXED Tag works on its technology, but also our new Tag Card.
In the second half of last year, we brought you the story of how the FIXED brand got into the production of smart trackers, and that it all originally started with the FIXED Smile tracker. Thanks to this, anyone could easily find misplaced items – from wallets to handbags to keys.
However, when Apple introduced its global Find My search network in 2021 and subsequently made it available to other manufacturers, we were clear: we will build other smart locators on this technology, because it also uses available iOS devices in the vicinity of the locator to update the location. And so FIXED Tag was born.
That we would end here? Not by chance. Our team has been working hard on further developing the smart tracker and this year the FIXED Tag Card saw the light of day . At first glance, it resembles an ordinary card, but don't be mistaken.
What is a Tag Card and how does it work?
Before we reveal the behind-the-scenes development of the FIXED Tag Card , we need to introduce it first.
This is a smart locator certified by Apple, working on the same principle (i.e. it uses the Find My network for its operation) as the smart tracker FIXED Tag . Unlike it, however, the Tag Card – as the name suggests – has the form of a card , in the dimensions of a classic credit card. This means that it can easily fit into any wallet or anywhere else where a regular FIXED Tag could not be inserted due to its thickness.
If you buy this new product from the FIXED portfolio, you can also look forward to wireless charging of the Tag Card , which can last up to 3 months on a single charge. So you don't have to think every other day whether your locator has enough power. There is a battery indicator icon in the Find application, which turns red when the battery level is low.
We also thought about security during development. The physical one is taken care of by IP67 protection against dust and water - if your locator falls into water or falls into mud and remains there for hours, it will not stop working. Data security is then ensured by coding (encryption) . Tag Card generally uses all the security from Apple. There is no risk that someone else will gain access to the location of your smart tracker.
5 benefits of FIXED Tag Card
- minimalist dimensions of a regular card (85 x 54 x 2.6 mm)
- Up to 3 months of battery life on a single charge
- Apple certification
- You can ring the card if necessary.
- dust and water resistance
We addressed the dimensions and environmental impact
When developing the Tag Card, our developers were primarily concerned with developing a thin, compact locator that could be easily inserted into a wallet, but also in other places where a classic FIXED Tag would not fit. The card proved to be the best way to do this. Another important criterion for us was the environmental impact. At the time we started development, a similar locator in the form of a card was already on the market, which had a disposable battery. After the battery was discharged, the user had no choice but to throw the locator away. However, we did not like this solution. We wanted to come up with a product that would serve the user for as long as possible.
That's why we came up with the idea of wireless charging. It took more time to develop, but the wait and effort were definitely worth it. The development process included, among other things:
- prototyping
- modifications (e.g. internal arrangement of individual card components)
- choice of colors, translucency and correct card thickness
- testing
Tag Card has undergone rigorous testing
We briefly touched on the testing above, which of course played a crucial role. First and foremost, it was important for us that the card withstand demanding conditions, especially water and dust.
The testers tested the durability of the card in all conditions – in the heat of summer and the cold of winter. They carried it in the back pocket of their pants, in their wallet, purse, mobile phone case and many other places. One of the best tests was the accidental loss of one of the testers' cards. Although the Tag Card lay in the snow and mud for three weeks, it still worked when it was found.
It passed the durability tests with flying colors and we were confident that we could release it on the market.
Finally, we waited for Apple to approve the product itself and its packaging.
There was one more step missing before the new smart locator could be introduced to the general public: it had to be approved by Apple. Fortunately, this process was quite easy, as we had experience with it thanks to the approval of the FIXED Tag in the past. Testing is done through Apple's testing application.
In addition to the product itself, Apple also revised the packaging and also certified physical samples of the card directly in the United States.
The result? Approval took longer because the individual steps of Apple's certification are linked to each other. This means that if one step is not completed, you cannot move on to the next. However, patience paid off, as today you can find the Tag Card in the FIXED menu and you can order it right now.
Did you know that the FIXED Tag Card works without fees ? Once you purchase it and pair it with the Find app, it starts working right away.
The development of Tag Card has taught us a lot
We are most happy that FIXED Tag Card is already helping many of you find lost things. At the same time, we have gained other valuable experience during development, which we will 100% apply in the future . If you are interested in any further details about Tag Card , do not hesitate to ask. Just write to us in the live chat here on the website .
