Gearing Up

OH, WHERE, OH, WHERE:

Another day, another panic over misplaced keys, wallet, cell phone — invariably when I’m rushing to catch a plane or get to a restaurant reservation the hotel concierge nabbed against all odds. I wanted a small device with a built-in hole for hooking onto a key ring or luggage clip, and it had to be slim enough to stash in a wallet or in the little neoprene pouch affixed to the back of my cell phone case. I vetoed anything that required adhesives for attaching. Guidance from tech experts and online reviews in publications I trusted led me to test the new waterproof Bluetooth Pro Style and Pro Sport Trackers from Tile. At 1.5 inches square and 0.2 inches thick, the white, gold-trimmed Pro Style is slightly smaller and slimmer than the more rugged graphite-colored Pro Sport. They function identically. Though thicker than some competitors, their more solid construction, longer Bluetooth Range (200 feet) and louder alarm capability (up to 98 decibels) made the trade-off acceptable. Volume can be modified or even silenced via app controls, which also provide visual indicators — maps and pulsating green rings that show when you’re getting closer. You can even choose among a range of perky or soulful ring tones instead of the usual beeps and siren sounds. So how does it all work? The Tile device uses Bluetooth to communicate with its companion app on your smart phone or tablet. Tile is compatible with newer IOS and Android devices (the web site provides a list), but does not work with computers or PCS. For the tracking to function, Bluetooth must be turned on and the app open and running. To get started, purchase one or more Tiles in any combination of models (IOS devices can handle up to eight Tile connections at once; Android devices, four). Register with the company, download the app, place the Tiles wherever they are to function (in your wallet, iphone, key chain, etc); then use the app to discover each tile, identified by the name you have given them — keys, wallet, iphone. The system uses the location services on your mobile device to communicate location info to the app. You can use the app to locate and “ring” each tile (and thus, the item it is attached to, or its last trackable location if it is more than 200 feet away. A button on each tile lets you “page” your smartphone or tablet with the app open and running. I’m still searching for a more powerful tracker (also, one tiny enough for eyeglasses), but within their perimeters, the Tile Pros seem the best bet for now. Tile Pro Style or Pro Sport are $35 apiece; $60 for a pack of two of the same model or a combo pack with one of each; at thetileapp.com. Judi Dash, Gear & Gadgets syndicate