Two years have passed since TrackR Bravo rolled the dice on the crowdfunding table, seeking just $20,000. Nearly two million dollars later, TrackR Bravo has become one of the main market options when it comes to tracking all those things that vanish as if by magic, like the remote control, the keys, the smartphone, and the cat that roams the neighbors' rooftops. The latest update to its app includes a family tracking mode, and those who wish can customize the accessory's exterior.
It's hard not to lose sight of some objects. Even when we know we've used them five minutes ago, that "something" disappears from the radar and we spend hours searching for it. Personally, I always apply the "it will show up" strategy, and the last time I used it, the object in question (a screwdriver) returned from the shadows three days later. That is to say, that strategy isn't very convenient when you want to locate something you need immediately, like a smartphone, a remote control (whether for the air conditioner, TV, garage door, etc.), or keys. Maybe someone out there is shouting: "What's the point of so much technology if it doesn't even help me find my keys?!" Well... the truth is it can. It costs a bit of money, but it can.
Welcome to TrackR Bravo, a small device that combines Bluetooth Low Energy technology with a dedicated app and the concept of Crowd GPS, meaning the more people with the app installed, the more accurate the location of the TrackR Bravo outdoors. Of course, TrackR Bravo is very robust indoors, and it also works in the reverse direction: if you have the TrackR in hand and can't find your smartphone, press its button and it will ring. The app allows associating up to ten TrackR Bravo per smartphone, but now includes support for "family tracking", in which several members of a group can find the same item. The TrackR Bravo's battery lasts an average of one year, and when it's time to replace it, a simple "coin" CR1620 is enough.
The final price of the TrackR Bravo depends on quantity. Buying just one requires an investment of $30 (that doesn't include international shipping), but the pack of ten brings its cost to $12 per unit. If someone wants to customize the TrackR's exterior with an image or other kind of art, they'll need to pay an extra $5, although its generic design isn't bad at all. Remember that the TrackR Bravo is no longer in crowdfunding, but is a general-availability product like any other.
