Ping is the world’s smallest GPS locator. The product is currently in the prototype stage and was just successfully funded through Indiegogo. Here’s our review of everything you need to know.
What Is Ping?
Ping is a small cube-shaped device that can be attached to anything you own. Then, you can track the location of Ping – and the location of your stuff – anywhere in the world.
Ping is designed to compete with other popular tracking devices on the market – like TrackR and Tile. In fact, Ping specifically addresses these products on its Indiegogo page.
The main advantage Ping has over the competition is that it doesn’t need an expensive data plan, it’s small, and it doesn’t need to be recharged every few days.
As the makers of Ping explain, “We need a simpler solution to instantly locate anything important.”
That’s where Ping wants to help. The device is currently available for around $80 per unit through the Indiegogo campaign.
At the time of writing, the project had already been successfully funded with over 30 days remaining in the campaign, raising a total of over $63,000, smashing through its $50,000 funding target.
Ping Features
Ping is described as “the world’s smallest, longest range, longest battery life global (GPS) locator for kids, pets, bikes, luggage or anything important that moves”. If there’s something you want to track, then you can easily attach Ping to that thing to track it all over the world.
Some of the key features in Ping include:
- Waterproof
- Rechargeable
- One touch check-in
- SOS alerts
- Attachable
- Data plan included (only for the first year; $36 per year after)
- Uses multiple signals for tracking, including Bluetooth (35 foot range), cellular data (75 foot range), and GPS location (global range)
These features are important because they distinguish Ping from its major competitors. GPS trackers – like wearables – come with a maximum 72 hour battery life and an average $10 per month data plan, reports the makers of Ping.
Meanwhile, other Bluetooth trackers like Tile come with a non-rechargeable battery and a 35 foot range.
TrackR, which has a range of up to 100 feet, is the closest competitor to Ping. It’s priced at $30 with no ongoing GPS fees. TrackR relies on a crowdsourced tracking network, which means that anyone within 100 feet of your TrackR can automatically help you find it.
Ping, meanwhile, has a global range, long battery life (you recharge it every 3 months), and a reasonable price. It doesn’t rely on crowdsourcing – it relies on GPS networks.
Ping prominently advertises the fact that it has “no monthly fees”, although this is a bit misleading: Ping is $36 per year, although you get the first year for free.
Another cool feature of Ping is the “one touch check-in”. The device has a button on it that lets you “ping someone” when you arrive at your destination. You can ask your kid to “Ping you” when they get home from school, for example.
Meanwhile, you can double tap that same button to send SOS alerts in the event of an emergency.
How to Use Ping
Using Ping is straightforward: you open the Ping app, tap whatever you want to find (like your kid, a piece of luggage, or a pet), then let the app use the GPS signal to scan for your Ping. You get to see the location of your thing on a map.
Some of the recommended uses for Ping include tracking your children, finding a wandering pet, locating a loved one (like an elderly relative), locating missing luggage, finding your bike, and remember where you parked.
To continue using Ping, you’ll need to charge it once every three months or so.
Ping Tech Specs
Ping comes with all of the following sensors, tech specs, and other information:
- Battery: Rechargeable custom LiPo battery, 180 mAh
- Connectivity: Bluetooth LE
- Networks: HSPA/GSM module for global coverage, AT&T 3G module embedded
- Tracking: GPS and GLONASS
- Sensors: 3-axis accelerometer
- Interface: Inset tactile button for check-in (one tap) and SOS (two taps)
- Display: LED activity indicator rings
- Material: Hard rubber top, hard plastic bottom (PMMA Silicone and Elastomer Materials)
- Size: 34mm x 34mm x 11mm
- Weight: 1 oz
- Mobile OSes: iOS and Android
- Waterproof: 10 meters
Ping Pricing
Ping is priced at $79 USD + shipping through the Indiegogo Super Early Bird deal.
You can also buy 2 Pings for $143 USD, 3 Pings for $215, 5 Pings for $423, 10 Pings for $780, and 50 Pings for $3575.
Residents of the United States, Canada, and Mexico get a totally free subscription for the first year, after which you’ll need to pay $36 USD per year.
Residents of other countries will also pay $36 USD per year, but will need to pay an additional $10 activation fee to activate the device.
Each purchase of Ping comes with a charging cable, user manual, mobile app, one year of free service, and a clip attachment.
Who Makes Ping?
The idea for Ping came from Joshua Lippiner, listed as the Founder and President of the company. Josh has been creating and running tech businesses for over 20 years. Other members of the team include Bill Strong (Advisor) and John Stump (CTO).
Joshua came up with the idea for Ping back in 2010. By 2012, the company was in the R&D phase. In January 2017, the company launched its Indiegogo campaign. The estimated shipping date is July 2017.
Since the project has been successfully funded, everything appears to be on track.
To get in touch with the makers of Ping, you can email support@pinggps.com.
Ping Summary?
Ping is an item tracker priced at around $80 per unit, and an additional $36 per year after the first year. It’s a tiny, square device that can easily be clipped onto luggage, pets, kids, or anything else you want to track.
The device tracks your stuff around the world, and can successfully be used in 157 different countries (it doesn’t quite work in every country in the world, but it works in almost all of them).
The device is superior to devices like TrackR, but it also costs significantly more ($30 one-time fee for TrackR, compared to $80 + $36 per year for Ping).
With Ping, however, you can rely on GPS tracking and cellular signals to get precise location data for your stuff anywhere in the world – you’re not relying on a crowdsourced network of TrackR users.
Ultimately, Ping is one of several popular tracking options on the market today. It offers superior functionality to other trackers along with global item tracking, a lightweight design, and a free data plan for your first year ($36 per year after that).
