I’m always forgetting where I’ve put things
Keys, phone and wallet are the usual suspects but I’ll frequently pick something up, then put it down and then have no idea where it’s gone.
So when I first came across Tile Mate it seemed to have been made just for me!
Tile Mate is a little device that attaches to your key ring primarily. Though it could attach to a bag or anything really.
Then you register it with an app on your phone and between Bluetooth and GPS it’ll help you locate the approximate area where the device is located.
If you still can’t find it then you can “ring” it. A little speaker plays a ringtone (there are four to choose from)
If you still can’t find it after that (as in you’ve genuinely lost it) then you can also call on the Tile community to help find it. Once your mark something as lost if your tile comes within proximity of someone else’s app it’ll let them know.
As well as the key ring form factor they have Tile Slim which is credit card sized. Perfect for wallets!
In additional there are various accessories used for helping you to attach to different items. It’s not just for bags and keys.
There are also a couple of extra features that are pretty useful.
If you can’t find your phone. Double tap the button on the front of the Tile and if it’s within Bluetooth range it’ll make the phone ring. It’s like the “find my phone” features most phones have.
You can also share the location of a Tile with someone. The website says that’s useful for “shared cars, keys or bags” (though I’m not really sure about that one!)
As well as the “classic tile mate” and the “slim” there is a Pro series
This is made up of the “sport” version, which is a little more rugged. You could attach this to a sports bag which usually gets throw around a bit more.
And the “style version” which is for attaching to purses and handbags. (clichéd?)
So, any downsides?
Price
A single Tile classic is between £20-£25 depending on where you shop. You can buy them in multi-packs which makes them a little cheaper.
The Pro series are around £30
Slim is between £25 and £35
I have mixed feelings on this. Your own opinion will vary but that’s a little but more expensive than I was initially willing to pay for one of these. However, having since received one as a gift I will likely get the slim version for my wallet!
Battery
The devices aren’t user serviceable. Once the battery dies that’s it.
Tile will guarantee it’ll last for a full year but after that it lasts as long as it lasts. That could be a day, or even another year!
They do have a “reTile” program. You send the tile back and they’ll sell you another one at a discount.
Couple of ways to look at this really.
You need the Tile to work. No point attaching it to your keys and then the one time you actually, totally lose your keys you need to know the Tile is in perfect working order. So I understand the need for them to have some control over how long it’s used for.
But you could also argue it’s a good way to get some money out of you every 12 months. If you buy several of these the total amount you pay out starts to add up over the years
In summary
It’s a really good bit of kit and I’ve certainly benefited from having it.
I know that I’m focussing on the price quite a bit. Primarily it’s due it being an ongoing cost. I think it it lasted two years instead of one
Could you use one of these?
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