Product review: ' tile '

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RooFlyer

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Not sure if these are available in Oz, other than on line shipped from Nth America, but I was introduced to the product in Canada and ordered a dozen for self and Christmas presents. (Arrived 5 January; 1 month in shipping, but that was in Christmas peak period).

tile
is a device to locate lost keys and other objects you might lose around the house or elsewhere.

Each tile consists of a 3.5x3.5x0.5 cm plastic token, which you can slip onto a key ring or stick onto an object. Each weighs something negligible.

Tile 1.JPG


You down-load an application onto an iDevice or Android and register an account with e-mail and a password.

You then register an individual tile by placing it on the phone screen; easy. The phone application then recognises that tile and the name you give it (eg 'Keys' if you put it on your key ring).

The way the thing works is that each tile has a Bluetooth signal source and the ability to play a tune. Your phone has Bluetooth capability, so when you register a device, they 'pair'.

If you cannot find your keys, you go to the phone application, open the tile in question, and hit 'find':

Tile 2.JPG

The green circle on the phone screen will be fragmented if you are far away; as you move closer to the object, the circle increases in strength - its measuring the strength of the Bluetooth attachment signal and visualising that as proximity. When you are within about 10m, the tile object plays a little tune, quite audible .. and you find your object!

It is kind of neat - but a bit of a gimmick. Its a bit thicker than I thought - at 5mm thick, if you stick it to your iPad, you'll know about it - but it does go onto your key ring easily. If you have both iPad (or other tablet) and stick one on your iPhone (or other Android phone) - you can find your phone!

It also plots the location of 'found' things on Google maps (it does this even if you don't hit 'find'). Thus if you drive away and forget something, it will tell you where you last had it close to your person (or phone) - that can be useful.

See web site: https://www.thetileapp.com/

Before Christmas, tiles cost US$20 each and I bought 9 with a bonus 3. Lots to give away for Christmas, or belated Christmas presents!

Verdict? Useful, but not a must-have. If it was half as thick, it would be less obtrusive when stuck to things and would have more applications. For those of us who lose things in the house it will have definite value. I have put tiles on my key ring, on the back of my iPad mini, on a back-up drive and in my camera case. A bit thick for the wallet. But 6 will go down well as small presents to others of my vintage!
 
Very cool. I always seem to lose my keys in my handbag...
 
I could really use one on the bavk of the TV remote and another on the back of the DVD remote. The kids always move them around the house and then forget where they placed them.
 
I could really use one on the bavk of the TV remote and another on the back of the DVD remote. The kids always move them around the house and then forget where they placed them.

At first look, the tracker will tell you it is in your house so not much use for the remotes.
 
Thanks for the review RooFlyer. I have seen them advertised somewhere, but memory fails me as to whether that was in Australia or overseas. I was intrigued by them, so your review has helped :)
 
At first look, the tracker will tell you it is in your house so not much use for the remotes.

Yes, that was a flaw I thought, but when the tracker on the phone says 'close' (ie within 10-15m), the tile emits a tune which you can hone in on.
 
Thanks for that review. I'll look into getting a few, esp as my bag needs to play another tune. ;)

Yes, that was a flaw I thought, but when the tracker on the phone says 'close' (ie within 10-15m), the tile emits a tune which you can hone in on.
 
At first look, the tracker will tell you it is in your house so not much use for the remotes.

Having the remotes play music would go along way towards helping us find them.
 
Daughter and SIL should get some.
Recently "lost" keys to Skoda, suspect 2yo put them somewhere.
3 months to get another set of keys sent from overseas :shock:
 
The tiles themselves have no sticky surface. With my dozen came a sheet of 6 double-sided, tile shaped tape pieces. Pretty strong and easy to apply.
 
The battery lasts about a year in them right? Is it user-replaceable or will a whole new tile need to be bought? :p
 
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The battery lasts about a year in them right? Is it user-replaceable or will a whole new tile need to be bought? :p
They are not replaceable. You need to purchase a new tile when the battery is depleted.
 
The battery lasts about a year in them right? Is it user-replaceable or will a whole new tile need to be bought? :p

At the moment they replace the whole tile free of charge ( not sure about freight to Oz). Don't think this sustainable in the long term .
 
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