Today's technology allows us to track almost anything in our lives. This includes everything from the number of steps you took during your lunch break to the number of times you listened to your favorite song.
However, even with these capabilities, it is very common for you to misplace everyday items like your cell phone, car keys, Find your keys! 6 Gadgets that help locate your lost keys Find your keys! 6 Gadgets That Help Locate Your Missing Keys Can't find your keys? Forgot to take them with you? If only the keys could call you and fix this daily mess. Read More
Not only does losing these items take a lot of time, how many times have you been late for work because you couldn't find your car keys? - but it's also potentially expensive.
A recent study found that one in five American adults misplace or lose personal items each week, with those losses averaging $5,591 over a lifetime.
Fortunately, the days of losing things may be behind you. There are a number of personal item trackers on the market that can help you find lost items, or just make sure they're not lost in the first place.
Here are seven ways to use item trackers to stay on top of your stuff.
Tile is one of the most popular item tracking devices, in part due to its dual capabilities. The small square tile can be attached to a keychain, helping you locate your keys through sound or by using the Tile app to locate keys on a map.
However, what if you have your keys but not your phone? Azulejo has you covered. You can press Tile to make the phone ring loudly, even if it's in silent mode.
The tile is $25 for one device (CA/UK) or $70 for a pack of four (CA/UK).
Download - Tile app for iOS (free) | Android (Free)
The folks at TrackR have come up with a model designed specifically for wallets and purses. It's an ultra-slim device that you can easily slip into your wallet, and then use the TrackR app to locate the wallet if you lose it.
TrackR also uses a system called Crowd GPS, which is basically an item tracking network that can help you find lost items in a given location.
The TrackR system is $29.95 for one device (CA/UK), $49.95 for two, and $99.95 for eight (buy four, get four free).
Download - TrackR App for iOS (Free) | Android (Free)
Tracking Devices for Health-Related Items 17 Best Health and Fitness Gadgets to Improve Your Body 17 Best Health and Fitness Gadgets to Improve Your Body In recent years, innovation around health and fitness gadgets has been shot. Here are just a few of the amazing pieces of kit you can use to keep you feeling good. Read More In fact, hospitals use a similar concept to track medical equipment. However, for medication tracking on a smaller scale, you will only need PebbleBee.
PebbleBee describes the Honey as a Bluetooth tracker for everyday life, and for many that includes daily medications. The trackers are small, about 5mm thick and weigh 0.2 ounces. They easily attach to your travel pill box, which can be particularly useful if you're moving or traveling but know you'll need certain medications.
Another advantage of PebbleBee trackers is that they have internal LEDs, making it easy to find items in the dark.
Trackers price range from $25 for one (CA/UK) to $100 for six.
Download - PebbleBee for iOS (Free) | Android (Free)
The LUPO tracker is ideal for house or car keys due to its relatively small size compared to other trackers. LUPO trackers are small discs 5mm thick and 36mm in diameter, weighing only eight grams.
Another interesting feature of LUPO is that the devices have a programmable button, which can be useful for all kinds of applications. A common option is to use the button to control your phone's camera, allowing you to take selfies from a distance.
LUPO is not yet available in the US. In the UK the device costs £19.95 for one, £87.50 for five. If it were to arrive in the US, that would equate to roughly $26 and $113 respectively.
Download - LUPO for iOS (Free) | Android (Free)
LoccaMini's tracker is larger than most of the other models reviewed here, but it can be a lifesaver for bike owners. The 7 best bike computers you can buy today. The 7 Best Bike Computers You Can Afford Today. Cycling is a low-tech activity.; You jump on your bike and go. But some really cool devices can show you data about your ride, like the speed and distance of your ride. Read more . With the manufacturer's bike package, owners can turn the LoccaMini into an alarm system for their bike, complete with a siren and GPS tracking capabilities. The LoccaMini is still in development, but is expected to begin shipping products in late 2016.
The LoccaMini Bike Pack edition costs approximately €145, or about $162. Users insert the unit into a mount on the bike frame, allowing you to set the zones your bike should stay in and trigger an alarm. if your bike moves outside of your set zone.
Download - Coming soon to iOS | Android | Windows Phone
The Chipolo tracking device is a small, round edition that comes in a wide variety of fun and eye-catching colors. The devices can be attached to almost any item, including your luggage while traveling. Smart luggage can forever change the way we travel Luggage can forever change the way we travel Smart devices are everywhere! They are even making their way into the world of travel in the form of smart luggage! Read more.
Imagine being in a busy foreign airport where the baggage claim area is a zoo. Navigating through seas of people and suitcases can cause anxiety for even the most seasoned traveler, but a device like Chipolo can give you peace of mind by helping you quickly find your belongings.
To find your suitcase, touch the device as if it were a lost phone. The Chipolo device plays a loud melody that can be heard within its 200-foot Bluetooth range.
Chipolo is $29.95 for one device (CA/UK), $49.95 for two, and $99.96 for a family pack of four.
Download - Chipolo iOS (Free) | Android (Free)
Hum turns your car into a smart car, including the ability to track its location using GPS. It also includes other features, such as easy access to roadside assistance, vehicle diagnostics 10 Quick Changes In Your Driving Habits That Will Save Fuel 10 Quick Changes In Your Driving Habits That Will Save Fuel Read More and access a mechanic hotline certified.
The system costs $29.99, plus a $20 one-time activation fee. Users must also pay $10 per month for the service (plus taxes and fees), and a two-year subscription is required.
Download - Hum App for iOS (Free) | Android (Free)
There is a wide variety of item trackers on the market, which can make choosing the right one a difficult decision. However, the best way to decide is to first identify what is to be tracked. If it will be used for simple items, like keys or a phone, there are plenty of options. If it's for something more specific, like a car, there are also specific options.
The important thing is that you stop wasting your time. 14 Unique Web Apps To Save Time If You're Too Busy 14 Unique Web Apps To Save Time If You're Too Busy Do you ever feel like you're too busy to do everything? ? The day doesn't get any longer, so you'll have to find a way to be more efficient. Read more searching the house for the same lost things!
What do you lose most often? Tell us in the comments section below.!