[wmeredith]

I think the point is to make the smallest unit of functionality possible and then people can integrate that into their use case using attachments, casings, etc. in a way they see fit. It's a good approach for this product in my opinion.

[tavavex]

I think this argument would work better if the AirTag in its minimal form wasn't so teardrop-shaped. It feels almost like it was designed to be difficult to integrate into other environments because it lacks any edges or openings. It ensures that anything that could hold it must be at least as big as the AirTag itself. It really confuses me why they couldn't even allow for a single small hole in its edge - it would still leave attachment up to the user, but make it far more flexible by letting people just hook it onto things. Is it because design had overpowered functionality in this product? Is it because this shape is somehow mandated by the hardware within it? It confuses me.

[istjohn]

An Apple product in which design takes precedence over usability. Imagine that.

[whynotminot]

I think it’s designed around that easily replaceable and very commonly found battery.

Which is an appreciated and surprisingly un-Apple move. Despite some physical limitations this imposes, I applaud it.

[dotancohen]

  > I think this argument would work better if the AirTag in its minimal form wasn't so teardrop-shaped.

That shape is symbolic of the tears of those who wish nothing more than to track where they've left their keys.

[footydude]

> If the AirTag in its minimal form wasn't so teardrop-shaped

I'm a little confused by this, aren't AirTag basically circular discs pretty much just big enough to house a CRT2032 battery?

Form factor wise they don't look teardrop shaped at all in the pictures?

I don't have one so could just be missing something obvious here.

[tavavex]

> I'm a little confused by this, aren't AirTag basically circular discs pretty much just big enough to house a CRT2032 battery?

Kind of. It's definitely the intention, but an AirTag is still considerably larger than the CR2032 within it [1], so they're not at a shortage of space in the shell.

As for "teardrop shape", I didn't mean to imply it had an elongated shape, but that it's rounded off on all sides, like a drop of liquid. The absence of any defined edges makes clip design harder and forces any AirTag enclosure to just act as a mini-pocket that contains the whole thing instead of having a simpler and less wasteful attachment method.

[1] https://www.macworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/airtag-b...

[chrisfinazzo]

This might also explain why the first party luggage loop accessory seems to have been (unfortunately) memory-holed. I think third parties still sell them out of excess inventory, but they've been harder to come by in recent times.

My current carry-on doesn't have large enough attachment points to easily accommodate the Apple leather case's keyring, so an updated loop would have been welcome.

[trillic]

Mine is duct taped inside the inner liner of the carryon that has a small zipper for cleaning.

[matwood]

This is the way. My AirTags are hidden in my bags/luggage.

[vostrocity]

It makes no sense to leave your AirTag attached outside. I hide mine in the most difficult to find pocket in my luggage.

[chrisfinazzo]

No argument here.

For some reason, people feel like this should be a replacement for traditional luggage tags.

I do not understand this mindset.

I’d prefer to have a dedicated loop for my bag and the inside attachment points just aren’t big enough. I’d feel more secure if it wasn’t loose in a pocket and could easily fall out or be removed by an unscrupulous (or inattentive) airline or TSA employee.