XY Find it is the world’s first Finadable™ device which helps you keep track of what matters most. Unlike dongles of the past which simply beeped or made sounds when triggered, this device, paired with your smartphone, actually helps locate your stuff, near or far.
The product originally used a Kickstarter campaign for their launch and raised $205,121 from 4,091 backers.
The XY Find It currently on the market is a small device – about the size and proportions of a parking garage or apartment fob – and thus, if put on your key ring, blends in rather nicely. To start using the sensor, simply download the companion Android/iOS mobile app (compatible with iOS 7.0+ and Android 4.4+) and pair it using the on-screen instructions. From there, the app will show the XY Find It signal just as you would read cell phone strength. You can track a virtually unlimited number of beacons.
In addition to estimating item location from the signal, you can also set audible alerts. The speaker in the device isn’t too powerful, however, so unless you’re in a quiet room or apartment, the smartphone signal indicator seems to be the more effective option.
The most notable feature is the alert mode. This triggers an alert if the beacon goes out of range, which is ideal for those items you always need on hand (like keys, a wallet, or depending on where you live, perhaps even a scarf). There’s also a handy locate feature which maps the last known location of your device before it was lost.
Ensuring your luggage is on your flight, ensuring your children don’t go too far, and keeping track of your laptop bag are just a few additional ways the XY Find It could make your life easier. Wait a little longer, however, and things could get even better…
Starting in February, XY Find It plans to launch three new Findables:
- XYNEAR (February): An 8 or 24-pack of NFC-enabled stickers ($7.99/8, $19.99/24)
- XYEDGE (May): A card-shaped, card-sized device ideal for wallets and luggage ($29.99/1, $49.99/2)
- XYGPS (June): All existing features, but with long-range GPS tracking ($69.99)
You can purchase the current XY Find It products online, or through the retail stores listed on the product website, like Fry’s, Dillard’s and Brookstone. Pricing starts at $29.99 and goes up to $149.99 for a pack of eight.
Important to note is that the tracking requires you to continuously have Bluetooth running. As a result, the XY can cause your smartphone battery to drain faster than normal. The beacons also have a variable battery life ranging from as little as three months to as long as a year. Replacing the battery isn’t too difficult, however, and they use standard watch cells.
Although novel, there are a few competitors which offer similar functionality. The Honey, by Pebblebee originally launched on Kickstarter and raised $218k from 3,080 backers. The key difference between the two devices is that the Honey also has a button which can be used to trigger your camera’s shutter remotely for group photos.
Charles Costa is a marketing specialist helping technology companies grow, one word at a time. You can learn more at CharlesCosta.net
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I used to have a wearable, smartwatch actually. But then I lost it. Maybe I could have benefited from the findables products if they were available BEFORE I lost my watch.
I didn’t think the wearables trend would go away so quickly. Can’t the wearable and the findables live in the same world?
I have some of these from another company. They are great for keys or something that you store for the year and want to make sure you are going to find it again. The long range GPS feature on these makes it a game changer!
I backed one or two of the companies that brought things like this to the market. They are essential and because they are so small, it makes them very easy to use and since everyone is connected to a smartphone, the audience is huge for this type of product. What does this company do to separate itself from the others?