Tile launches Android app to track objects, has less features than iPhone app
Tile Inc. announced in the fall that it had raised $13 million in funding through a combination of a seed and Series A funding. Part of that money was allocated to hiring more Android engineers. Known as one of crowdfunding’s biggest hits, Tile has now released an Android version of the app.
For those not in the know, Tile is a square-shaped, Bluetooth tracker that attaches to keys, bags, wallets and more, and allows you to find missing or stolen items using your mobile device. Tile received nearly $2.7 million worth of orders in just one month; however, previously it was only available for iOS users. Now with the Android version becoming available it opens them up to an even greater market.
Use the Tile app on your device to track the distance to your lost item. Alternatively log into your account on anyone’s device to track your lost items. You can even activate a Tile to ring so that you can easily find the item.
Due to hardware and software limitations, not all the features that iOS users can enjoy are available for the Android version yet. The Android version is only able to support four to six Tiles, whereas the iOS version supports eight.
Another feature that is missing from the Android version is the “Mark as Lost” feature. If you mark an item as “lost” this will put all other Tile apps on the lookout for your item, which means you are not limited to the range of the Bluetooth connection with your mobile device. If anyone with the Tile app gets in range of your lost item, you will be alerted. The Tile team is hoping the feature will be available in early 2015.
The Android app is optimized for Samsung Galaxy S5, HTC One, HTC One M8, Nexus 4, Nexus 5 and requires Android 4.4 KitKat or higher as well as Bluetooth 4.0.
Tile is not the only company who are building Bluetooth trackers, with competition coming from large companies like Motorola, Nokia and HTC as well as others like Duet, BiiSafe and Chipolo.
Buy your Tile today for $25, which is a small price to pay when you stuff is missing or stolen. Orders can be made on the company website or in the Amazon Wearable Technology store. The Android version of the app is available for download in the Play Store. The new app will work with every Tile the company has already shipped.
If you’re unfamiliar with Tile, take a look at how it works:
Image via Tile
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