iCETAG

Most item trackers rely on a chirp to give away their position, which works until the room is noisy or the street is loud. iCETAG takes a different route: the maker describes it as the world's first anti-loss device with a powerful flash alert, so a misplaced key ring or bag can be spotted visually rather than just heard.

Light and sound, on demand

Triggered from a smartphone, the tag emits a bright flash, according to the campaign. The example given is a set of car keys dropped in a dark parking lot at night. A conventional sound alert is also built in, and the maker says users can choose between light, sound or both, for instance using flash only in a quiet setting and combining the two outdoors.

App, alerts and battery

• Works with both iOS and Android, pairing via a dedicated app over Bluetooth
• App shows the tag's battery level and last detected location
• Separation alert notifies you when the tag moves a certain distance from your phone
• Rechargeable battery via USB-C; the maker says a few hours of charging gives several weeks of continuous use
• Low-battery notifications from the app
• Waterproof and dustproof design, per the maker

The rechargeable design replaces the disposable coin cells used in many trackers, which the maker presents as both a convenience and an environmental benefit. The compact body is intended to ride on a key ring or sit inside a bag or wallet.

Beyond keys

The campaign also pitches iCETAG for night-time camping and outdoor activities, for helping older people who may miss phone notification sounds, for children's belongings, and attached to a pet's collar, where a flash could help locate an animal after dark. The Kickstarter project is reported to have raised well beyond its funding goal.