Developer(s) Reveal Labs, Inc. Operating system Website Official website | Initial release 2014 License Proprietary | |
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Tile is an application and RFID hardware device package, for Android (Google) and iOS (Apple) platforms, that allows users to locate lost items via Bluetooth 4.0 radio technology. In September 2015, Tile launched Generation 2 hardware that includes find-your-phone functionality and other feature upgrades, which by January 2016 sold over 4.5 million units.
Contents
Function
By attaching a Tile hardware device to a keychains or other item, a user can later use the Tile app to help locate the item if the object is lost. The Tile application uses Bluetooth Low Energy 4.0 radio technology to locate Tiles within a 150-foot range. Each Tile comes with a built-in speaker so the user can hear it within close range. Generation 2 of the Tile device has a volume of 90 decibels, three times louder than Generation 1's volume. The Gen 2 adds a "find your phone" feature. Tiles are 1.5 square inches and waterproof.
The application can locate Tiles beyond the 100-foot Bluetooth range, using "crowd GPS": if an item that with an attached Tile device is reported lost and comes within range of another user's Tile application, the nearby user's application will send the item's owner an anonymous update of that item's location. Alternatively, a user can share their tile with another user, to let both users locate the tile.
Tile's built-in batteries begin to wear out after one year of use. Users are automatically notified when the batteries are nearing depletion, and can receive a discount on a replacement product. The new Tile can then be sent back to be recycled.
Tile has partnered with Blunt Umbrellas to create a "smart" umbrella that can be located through Tile when it gets lost.
Funding
Tile's developers used Selfstarter, an open source website platform, to crowdfund the project through pre-orders.
As of July 7, 2013, Tile had raised over US$2.6 million by selling preordered Tiles directly to 50,000 backers through their website.
Tile raised additional Series A funding from Khosla Ventures in 2015.
Lawsuit
Tile's founder Nick Evans was sued, along with Reveal Labs, on November 7, 2013 for allegedly stealing the Tile idea while under employment by Jonathan C. Coon. The case was settled out of court.