Snapchat's 'Place Loyalty' feature allows users to see their ranking among the most frequent visitors to a location, rewarding them with badges based on their visit frequency.
Got any big travel plans for 2026? I know when I'm traveling, I become weirdly anxious about all my stuff, afraid I might leave something behind somewhere in a hotel room or backseat of an Uber. That's why it can be a good idea to slip some Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 Bluetooth trackers into your bags. Right now, Amazon has the trackers 36% off. Normally, priced at $30, they've now each dropped by $10 to just $20 per tag.
Covert recording is a lot about power. So, I was worried from the very beginning when Meta announced they were going to revive the Google Glass idea. That might be influenced by my study subject very well, but it might as well be influenced by every report and story I read on digital abuse and hate speech in the last twenty to thirty years.
Your iPhone might soon stop telling your wireless carrier exactly where you're standing, and law enforcement won't like it. Apple this week began rolling out a privacy feature that lets users blur their location data before it reaches cellular networks, limiting what carriers can see to just your general neighborhood instead of your precise street address. The move comes as phone companies face mounting scrutiny over how location data gets shared with authorities and targeted by hackers.
I'm blown away that I can write data to a little chip and then access that using a phone or tablet. I've embedded NFC tags into all sorts of things, from documents to business cards to 3D-printed objects. And it's easy! What you'll need You need two things: NFC tags: These come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, from to to .
If you're an iPhone owner, the original AirTag still delivers a level of precision few trackers can match, thanks to its ultra wideband (UWB) chip and access to Apple's expansive Find My network. Whereas most Bluetooth trackers just tell you the general whereabouts of a misplaced item, the AirTag actually guides you directly to it with on-screen arrows and distance estimates.
Google is rolling out an Android update that includes the ability to share the location of your missing luggage with an airline. It's similar to the luggage-tracking feature Apple brought to the iPhone, allowing you to view the location of your Find Hub tag or accessory on a map, and provide your airline with a link to the information they need to track it down.
The Loop works with Apple Find My and Google Find Hub Device networks, so it's compatible with hundreds of millions of smartphones out there, allowing you to find your lost items no matter where you are (which is handy when you leave your keys in a random riad in Marrakech... speaking from experience). So, how does the Loop differ from an AirTag? First, the battery is rechargeable, and when it needs topping up -- every six months or so -- you can use any handy USB-C cable.
On one end of the tracker you'll find an integrated metal loop that can be attached to a keyring or clipped to a carabiner without the need for an extra case. The Xiaomi Tag is compatible with both Apple's Find My and Google's Find Hub tracking networks and mobile apps, but not at the same time.
Unfortunately, the new challenger is a wearable AI pin with cameras, mics and... zero interest from me. According to a report from The Information, it'll resemble a slightly thicker AirTag with an aluminum and glass exterior. The report suggests it'll have two cameras (standard and wide-angle) for photos and video. It may also have three microphones and a (swoon) physical button. I love a physical button.
AirTags only work if they have enough battery power, which only lasts up to one year. Instead of buying a new AirTag for $29 when the battery dies, you can simply replace the battery. But you'll need the right type: a CR2032 3-volt lithium coin battery to be exact.
