Skip to main content

Ping's Bluetooth tracker has GPS and cellular connectivity, too

ping bluetooth cellular gps tracker
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Bluetooth trackers are a godsend for forgetful people, but they have their limitations. If you’re out of range, there’s no other way to find the tagged object unless you want to walk around with the app and find it yourself and hope your phone detects the tag’s signal.

Ping has an idea, and it’s arguably one of those “why hasn’t this been done before?” moments. Instead of just Bluetooth, Ping’s tag also connects to GPS and cellular — meaning whether you’re 30 feet or 3,000 miles away, you’ll know exactly where you left that forgotten item.

Ping aims to solve a problem that no other locating device has been able to — always-on, global tracking,” founder Josh Lippiner says. The device is premiering on Indiegogo for pre-order at $99 (and was fully funded in less than five hours, a Ping spokesperson told us), but will retail for $129 when it goes on sale later this year.

The tag is actually smaller than the Tile by about a tenth of an inch on either side, though is about four times the cost. Ping hopes the addition of GPS and cellular connectivity makes it worth the extra expense for consumers, as those capabilities may open a whole new range of potential uses.

For example, a Ping tag could be placed on a bike, or a car for that matter, to work as a LoJack of sorts, or placed on a dog collar to track your dog in the event it runs away. The position of the tag is reported to an app and shown on a map, which updates continuously to aid in retrieval.

No data plan is needed as the Ping is built to work over AT&T’s network, however after the first year a $3 monthly charge per tag is required to access the tag’s location data. Battery life lasts is three to five months, Ping says, although the tag can be recharged unlike most current Bluetooth trackers.

Other features include check-in and SOS buttons, to either notify someone of a location or request immediate assistance, respectively, and privacy features which allow for the tracker to be shut off from continuous tracking yet still have the check-in and SOS functionality enabled.

Indiegogo pre-orders are expected to ship in July of this year. Ping has made no announcements yet on eventual retail availability.

Editors' Recommendations

Ed Oswald
For fifteen years, Ed has written about the latest and greatest in gadgets and technology trends. At Digital Trends, he's…
Best iPad Cyber Monday deals: iPad Mini, iPad Air, iPad Pro, and more
Digital Trends Best Cyber Monday iPad Deals

You should take advantage of Cyber Monday to buy expensive tech like iPads. Nearly every model of the tablet has had their price slashed in Cyber Monday deals, from the Mini to the Pro. So that you wouldn't be overwhelmed by all of the offers, we've selected our favorite iPad Cyber Monday deals from the different retailers and rounded them up here. If you see a great price on an iPad that you've been eyeing, you should grab the offer as soon as possible as it may be gone the next minute.
Best 10.2-inch iPad Cyber Monday deals

The 10.2-inch Apple iPad, which includes the seventh to the ninth generations of the entry-level Apple iPad, remains one of the cheapest ways to jump into the iPad experience. They're not the latest models available, but they're still very capable devices because they can be upgraded to iPadOS 17, which is the newest version of Apple's operating system for tablets. If you want to get a 10.2-inch iPad for an even more affordable price, you may want to consider a refurbished one, especially since it would come with a return guarantee if it stops working properly.

Read more
Apple Watch Cyber Monday deals: Save on Series 9, Ultra 2
Digital Trends Best Cyber Monday Apple Watch Deals

If you love your iPhone, MacBook, and AirPods, you can dive even deeper into the Apple ecosystem with an Apple Watch, but these wearable devices can cost you a pretty penny. If you still want one, you shouldn't miss the Cyber Monday deals that offer great opportunities to pick up any of the smartwatch's models, whether you're going for a budget Apple Watch or one of the latest and more premium versions. We've gathered our favorite Cyber Monday smartwatch deals om the Apple Watch below so that you won't have to go through retailers' websites one by one in search of the bargains that will give you the best bang for your buck, including discounst on the latest models -- the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 -- so don't miss the chance to upgrade on the cheap.

Read more
How to save your data from Google’s purge of inactive accounts
The Google "G" logo on an Android phone.

Google is about to begin deleting inactive Google accounts, which could mean you’re about to lose photos, documents, and other data that you actually want to keep.

The good news is that there’s a way you can safely hold onto everything, but you’ll need to take action this week to be sure.

Read more