“Apple tags forced the market to transform for themselves”

Kommersant FM columnist Alexander Levy talks about which brands make special containers for tags.

Apple is far from the first to come up with and put on the market tags that can be used as beacons. But it was AirTag that forced the consumer market to transform for itself. For example, harnesses and collars for animals with a seat for “apple” tags have become available to people. Bicycle brands provide an AirTag stash.

Another expected and demanded scenario was implemented by the manufacturer of bags and luggage accessories Samsara Luggage. He introduced a series of Tag Smart suitcases, which initially have a separate container for the Apple tag. Moreover, the seat is designed in such a way that the tag is visible from the outside, but it can be removed or installed there only from inside the suitcase, after unscrewing the cover under the case lining.

Such a prominent location of the tag can cause concern: it seems like potential luggage thieves can immediately notice the beacon and get rid of it, which is only possible with a suitcase break-in. I am sure that criminals will still start hacking, especially since they are more often interested in the contents than in the container itself.

In the case when an AirTag sticks out in a prominent place near the suitcase, the attacker is more likely to choose another, less protected target. In addition, it is worth recognizing that luggage is lost more often than it is stolen. But when searching for a more open position of the beacon, that is, its antennas, only to the benefit. Samsara Luggage Tag Smart is available in 36L, 44L and 72L. In terms of dimensions, hand luggage passes the standards of most air carriers.

The suitcases are made from recycled aluminum and plastic, which can then be reused. There are no other special technologies in this series of suitcases, except for locks approved by the US Transportation Security Administration. I advise travelers to get any label that will allow you to determine at least the approximate position of your belongings.

Such a beacon would noticeably help my wife and me on one of our trips. Then the airline delayed the flight and did not have time to transfer luggage to the second plane during the transfer. We spent so much time waiting on the conveyor belt for suitcases and filling out lost forms that we almost missed the last ferry.