Apple’s “Find My” interface, which was opened for third-party providers last summer, is now supported for the first time by completely wireless earplugs from an external company: Belkin has announced a corresponding model with its Soundform Freedom.

Belkin part of the Find My network With the introduction of iOS 14 Apple launched its so-called Find-My-System (“Mein Find “) made transparent. The corresponding app, which is part of the operating system, was initially only able to find iPhone, iPad, Mac or AirPods – as well as friends who shared their location. A new API now allows the integration of devices that are not made by Apple itself, which Belkin is the first audio device manufacturer to use.

A bit like the AirPods The Soundform Freedom are typical true wireless in-ear headphones whose style is slightly reminiscent of the AirPods. They are available in black and white, cost 140 Euro and are splash-proof in accordance with protection class IPX5 and are therefore also suitable for rain and jogging. They should run for eight hours at a time, the supplied QI charging case offers additional 20 hours. Ambient noise suppression for phone calls is integrated, but ANC as with the AirPods Pro apparently not.

Crowdsourcing to find According to the manufacturer, the Freedom Soundform can use Apple’s Find-My network, as is already possible with Apple hardware. The system works with a crowdsourcing approach, in which potentially millions of Apple devices can be used, which are exchanged via an encrypted network. In this way, stolen or lost devices without an integrated radio module should be able to be found.

criticism of Apple Strategy There was also criticism of the Find-My opening. The guidelines should be extremely strict. Third-party manufacturers who use the “Find My” app are not allowed to use any other services at the same time – apparently no longer their own. Belkin itself does not, however, because the accessories specialist does not yet offer its own find network. For companies like the tracker manufacturer Tile, which rely on their own infrastructure, this does not apply.

(bsc)