TrackR: crowdfunded wafer with low-power Bluetooth helps you find misplaced wallet, etc.

The $19 TrackR is a like a leash between your wallet and your mobile phone. It's a Bluetooth-enabled wafer of plastic that fits in your wallet or pocket. You pair it with your phone, and whenever the TrackR and your phone get separated both your phone and the TrackR start beeping.

The app also takes a GPS snapshot of where your wallet was at the moment of separation in case you didn't hear the alert. Tap a button within the app to make your wallet "ring" in case your looking for it around the house or in the dark. The technology works both ways, which means your wallet can beep to alert you that you're leaving your phone behind. Works with your iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, new iPad, iPad mini and the new iPod Touch.

Yesterday, I met with Scott Hawthorne (left) and Chris Herbert (right) of Phone Halo, the 5-person company that designed the TrackR. They demoed the TrackR and I was impressed with how well it works. At $19, it seems like a good deal. They said the battery life is 1.5 years.

Scott and Chris kindly left a sample unit with me, which I plan to start using. I'll review it after I've had it for a week or two.

The TrackR will be available in the US and internationally as soon as the FCC and CE approve it (it uses low-power Bluetooth). You can pre-order one on Indiegogo for an estimated April delivery.

• [Roose_Bolton]

  Great, one more thing to lose.

  Oh…wait…

• [bzishi]

  Neat idea, but … that poor iPhone. Someone has been abusing it (and I’m not just referring to having AT&T as the carrier).

• [raleighstclair]

  thinks looks familiar..
  http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/sticknfind-bluetooth-powered-ultra-small-location-stickers?c=home

  • [SamSam]

    I came here to say this.

    Of course, the Stick N Find isn’t available yet, but I like that it’s significantly smaller and (at least at the pre-order prices) slightly cheaper. The app looks really nice too, and has an API so others can make apps. I’m very pleased I went for the four-sticker preorder.

    If the TrackR is any better, though, it will be great to find that out.

    • [Phone Halo]

      The Wallet TrackR is slimmer and we designed and tested the device specifically for being sat on repeatedly.  What’s cool is that our app can track StickNFind devices as well as your bluetooth headset or even where you parked your car.  The app is available now.  Let us know what you think: http://appstore.com/itemtrackr

      • [SamSam]

        Hmm, it’s 0.2 mm thinner — not something that you could measure without calipers, so I’d have been hard-pressed to say that one was slimmer by looking at them, but I admit that’s slimmer than I thought it was by looking at the picture.

        I’m excited that there are more of these devices coming out, and would certainly try your app if you reach your Android stretch goal.

• [Yep]

  I guess that’s a cheaper alternative to the solution I’m currently considering to avoid forgetting either wallet or phone… http://twelvesouth.com/products/bookbook_iphone5/

• [Andrew Singleton]

  Yet something else apparently inspired by Cory’s writing. At least that’s the solution they came up with in Makers to lost knock knacks.

• [HubrisSonic]

  Aseo keys! 

• [Joel Moore]

  I gotta be honest. That doesn’t look all that slim… maybe it has the outer dimensions of a credit card but it’s a lot thicker looking.

  • [Joel Moore]

    I should say however that I would attach one of these to my key chain in a heartbeat.

• [niktemadur]

  it uses low-power Bluetooth

  It had to work somehow, but I keep the iPhone bluetooth deactivated by default, one of those things that makes battery charge last a bit longer, a problem for me since I’m always listening to juice hog TuneInRadio.  Seriously, in just 1 1/2 hours the charge can go from 100% to around 60%.

  • [townandgownie]

     Your contention that turning off iPhone Bluetooth increases battery life is false. According to Apple’s own Bluetooth document, Bluetooth on modern iPhones and iOS 5 or 6 uses no power when Bluetooth is not in use and turned on.

    • [niktemadur]

      Opinions vary on tech blogs about that,
      For example, if the iPhone isn’t around a preferred network, Wi-Fi will be continuously searching, draining the battery.
      Same would apply if no Bluetooth “coupled” devices are nearby.  Although if the TrackR is nearby, everything should be cool.
      Then again, I’m still on the iPhone 4 and am in no hurry to upgrade, this one does everything I need it to do (when jailbroken, that is).

• [godfathersoul]

  I’ve had to deal with artwork theft a couple of times. I thought – o man, if only i had a GPS tracker on that…

  This might be what I’ve been looking for.

  edit: maybe not. there’s not nearly enough range on that… o welll

  • [niktemadur]

    If it’s an iPhone you’ve got, why haven’t you heard of Find My iPhone?  Here’s the kicker:  it’s free!  And it works like a charm!

• [Chris McArthur]

  I have already made the connection between phone and wallet in my brain.  Now if I forget one, I forget the other.  My keys complete the trifecta.

• [WinstonSmith2012]

  Is there a TrackR TrackR?  Another TrackR?

  And why is it that my keys are always in the last place I look? (joke)