What just happened? Motorola has introduced its version of a Bluetooth tracking tag designed to keep digital tabs on physical goods. The new Moto Tag utilizes ultra-wideband technology and runs on Google’s Find My Device network, the search giant’s answer to Apple’s Find My asset tracking service.
The Moto Tag functions just like any other tracker at its core, helping users pinpoint the exact location of tagged items. Motorola designed its tracker to be physically compatible with established form factors, meaning third-party accessories you may already own should fit just fine. The company didn’t say whether or not it would offer its own line of branded accessories.
Moto Tags carry an IP67 rating against dirt, dust, and water, and can withstand being submerged in up to a meter of water for half an hour. Power is supplied via a standard CR2032 coin battery, which can last up to a full year and is user replaceable. These batteries are cheap and readily available from a variety of retailers.
Once paired with your smartphone using Google Fast Pair, it’s possible to quickly check the battery level of your Moto Tag, adjust alert volumes, and even change its name.
Privacy has been a hot button issue with trackers, and Motorola is doing what it can to make the device as secure as possible. Location data is end-to-end encrypted, we’re told. Moto Tags are also compatible with automatic unknown tracker alerts on Android and iOS, allowing users to detect nearby tags that may be following them.
Motorola said its new tracking tags will be available in the coming months in select markets in your choice of green or black, but stopped short of announcing a price point. For comparison, Apple sells its AirTag for $29 each or $99 for a pack of four. Tile’s standard tracker goes for $24.99 apiece or $74.99 for a four pack. If Motorola could undercut the competition on price, they stand a real shot of making a splash in a market that’s already well established.
