Talk:Tile (company)

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The Wikimedia Foundation's Terms of Use require that editors disclose their "employer, client, and affiliation" with respect to any paid contribution; see WP:PAID. For advice about reviewing paid contributions, see WP:COIRESPONSE. MaryGaulke (talk · contribs) has been paid by Voce Communications on behalf of Tile. Disclosures made below and on userpage.

The introduction is slated for 'Winter 2013'. Would that be Winter in the Northern or Southern hemisphere? LorenzoB (talk) 03:51, 12 September 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Probably Northern. Most of its advertising and development is centered in the United States, so I think it would be safe to assume that it will be released in the winter of the Northern Hemisphere. Michaelzeng7 (talk) 02:47, 28 September 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Sorry there but to me there is a great misunderstanding with the main feature of the device. It is probably the key strategy for its marketing, but let's be frank, after analyzing it technically: the device/soft does not locate anything. It measures the distance, and helps you look for it by letting you know if you are getting closer to it or not. Plus the distance is limited and cannot work beyond 150feet. The device will not tell you where it is, and if it's far away, it will not tell you anything. It's misleading to tell "locate" all the way through the article. We should say "help locate by measuring distance", or simply "help locate".

To be discussed before changing the article. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 126.74.167.96 (talk • contribs) 20:02, 11 August 2014

I'd love to know how much they cost and how much the discounted replacements are, since they stop working after a year. Can someone who knows add this info? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Elvey (talk • contribs) 15:03, 7 December 2015

This edit request by an editor with a conflict of interest has now been answered.

Hi, I work for a communications firm that represents Tile and I have some suggestions for updates to this article:

• Add to infobox: |CEO = Mike Farley.^[1]
• Revise the lead:
  • Remove the quotes around the word "Tile".  Done
  • Revise final sentence: "In September 2015, Tile launched Gen 2 hardware that includes find your phone functionality and other feature upgrades." Partly done
  • Perhaps add a note on the scope of Tile's use: In January 2016, Tile announced it has sold 4.5 million units.^[2] Partly done
• Additions to "Operation" section:
  • Consider renaming section — "Function" might be clearer  Done
  • Add: Tiles can be shared among multiple users, so that multiple people can help find a lost Tile.^[3]
  • Add: More details on Gen 2:
    • Gen 2 of the Tile device has a volume of 90 decibels,^[4] three times louder than Gen 1's volume.^[5] It also offers a "Find Your Phone" feature‍—‌users can double tap the "e" on their Tile device and if their phone is within 100 feet, it will start ringing.^[4] Tiles are 1.5 square inches and waterproof.^[6]
  • Add: Tile has partnered with Blunt Umbrellas to create a "smart" umbrella that can be located through Tile when it gets lost.^[7]
• Revise the end of the "Function" section for clarity and detail, plus third-party sources. I recommend replacing "Tile hardware is useful for one year after activation of the Tile app, and then the hardware portion must be replaced." with:
  • Tile's built-in batteries begin to wear out after one year of use. Through the company's ReTile program, Tile users are automatically reminded when it is time to replace their Tiles and can receive new Tiles at a reduced price.^[8] The new Tile also arrives with a self-addressed stamped envelope that the user can use to send their old Tile back to the company to be recycled.^[6][9]
• Add an "Availability" section. Draft wording:
  • In addition to being sold online through Amazon and the company's web site,^[10] Tile is available at many retail locations, including US Apple Stores, T-Mobile, Target, Best Buy and Lowe's stores.^[8][11] Tile is also available in the UK via Amazon and Firebox.^[12]
• Remove the description of the promotional video from the "Funding" section‍—‌doesn't seem notable, in my opinion.
• Under "Similar Products", maybe add a parenthetical note: (Tile can be used to find items other than keys as well.)^[8]

Due to my COI, I won't be editing the article directly. I'd greatly appreciate any help or feedback. Thank you! Mary Gaulke (talk) 20:29, 22 February 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Hi @MaryGaulke: The lead is now changed to reflect this new information. Hope this helps. Picomtn (talk) 11:33, 14 March 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Hi MaryGaulke I didn't see any overt problems in changing the lead, but I'm not sure about your other suggested revisions due to their sounding like a product brochure, which I'll ask @Checkingfax and Amatulic: for their opinions on before continuing. Thanks. Picomtn (talk) 11:39, 14 March 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Hi MaryGaulke. Please resubmit your request in a change X to Y format. Assume a cut/paste will be make, so do not include anything you do not want to show like double quote marks or apostrophes, etc. Copy the text you want replaced and paste it without any changes; paste verbatim. Then create your Y text verbatim. Put any notes on a separate line above or below X and Y; do not intermingle.

Per WP:MoS we use logical quotation marks. Be mindful of that.

Do not use tipping (typewriter) style double or single quote marks (including apostrophes). Only use straight ones.

In articles we also do not use contractions (unless part of a quoted phrase or sentence).

If you are being paid to manage these edits you need to include a {{Connected contributor (paid)}} topper template on this talk page that links back to the COI disclaimer on your User page. Click on the template link here to see the parameters that you need to add to the basic template. Cheers! {{u|Checkingfax}} {Talk} 23:45, 14 March 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Hi Picomtn and Checkingfax, thank you both for your help! Checkingfax, I've revised my requests per your suggestions: removing any contractions and tipping quotation marks or apostrophes, reformatting in X to Y format, and bolding "add/replace/remove" for the requests that have not yet been addressed, for clarity's sake. I also added the Connected contributor template to this page. Noted as well re: logical quotation marks. Is there anything else I can do to make this easier to review/implement? Thank you again! Mary Gaulke (talk) 19:23, 21 March 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Replying to myself—these are the remaining outstanding items from my initial request:

• Add to infobox, between "License" and "Website":

|CEO = Mike Farley<ref>{{cite web|title=About Us|url=https://www.thetileapp.com/about|website=Tile|accessdate=12 March 2016}}</ref>  Not done: the infobox in use is {{Infobox software}}, which does not have a |CEO = parameter —  crh ₂₃  (Talk) 17:41, 29 April 2016 (UTC)[reply]

• Add more details on Gen 2 to "Function" section, replacing

The volume of the new Generation 2 Tile is 90 decibels.

with

Generation 2 of the Tile device has a volume of 90 decibels,<ref name="TC Gen2">{{Cite web|title = Updated Tile Item Tracker Boasts Louder Ring, Find Your Phone Feature|url = http://social.techcrunch.com/2015/08/20/new-version-of-tile-item-tracker-boasts-louder-ring-find-your-phone-feature/|website = TechCrunch|accessdate = 2015-09-21|first = Lucas|last = Matney}}</ref> three times louder than Generation 1's volume.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Tweney|first1=Dylan|title=How Tile went from crowdfunding to 2M units sold in two years|url=http://venturebeat.com/2015/08/18/how-tile-went-from-crowdfunding-to-2m-units-sold-in-two-years/|accessdate=12 March 2016|work=VentureBeat|date=18 August 2015}}</ref> It also offers a "Find Your Phone" feature{{nsmdns}}users can double tap the "e" on their Tile device and if their phone is within 100 feet, it will start ringing.<ref name="TC Gen2"/> Tiles are 1.5 square inches and waterproof.<ref name="WSJ">{{cite news|last1=Kolodny|first1=Lora|title=Tile Picks Up $13 Million to Make Any Object Trackable|url=http://blogs.wsj.com/venturecapital/2014/10/01/tile-picks-up-13-million-to-make-any-object-trackable/|accessdate=12 March 2016|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=1 October 2014}}</ref> Partly done: some of this read promotionally or WP:NOTMANUAL to me, so I edited it slightly before implementing.—  crh ₂₃  (Talk) 17:41, 29 April 2016 (UTC)[reply]

• Add to beginning of second paragraph of "Function" section, before "The application can also locate Tiles beyond the 100-foot Bluetooth range.":

Tiles can be shared among multiple users, so that multiple people can help find a lost Tile.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Perez|first1=Sarah|title=Tile Launches Sharing, Allowing Others To Help You Find Your Lost Items|url=http://techcrunch.com/2015/03/31/tile-launches-sharing-allowing-others-to-help-you-find-your-lost-items/|accessdate=12 March 2016|work=TechCrunch|date=31 March 2015}}</ref> Partly done seems to basically already be covered, clarified existing wording. —  crh ₂₃  (Talk) 17:41, 29 April 2016 (UTC)[reply]

• Revise the end of the "Function" section for clarity and detail, plus third-party sources. I recommend replacing

Tile hardware is useful for one year after activation of the Tile app, and then the hardware portion must be replaced.

with:

Tile's built-in batteries begin to wear out after one year of use. Through the company's ReTile program, Tile users are automatically reminded when it is time to replace their Tiles and can receive new Tiles at a reduced price.<ref name="ReadWrite">{{cite news|last1=Thomas|first1=Owen|title=Hardware As A Service: Tile Finds A Way To Keep Making Money|url=http://readwrite.com/2015/10/13/hardware-subscription-business-model|accessdate=12 March 2016|work=ReadWrite|date=13 October 2015}}</ref> The new Tile also arrives with a self-addressed stamped envelope that the user can use to send their old Tile back to the company to be recycled.<ref name="WSJ"/><ref>{{cite news|last1=Perez|first1=Sarah|title=Lost-Item Tracker Tile Rolls Out A Renewal Service Offering Early Adopters Discounted Replacements|url=http://techcrunch.com/2015/07/22/lost-item-tracker-tile-rolls-out-a-renewal-service/|accessdate=12 March 2016|work=TechCrunch|date=22 July 2015}}</ref> Done Reworded somewhat —  crh ₂₃  (Talk) 17:41, 29 April 2016 (UTC)[reply]

• Add to end of "Function" section:

Tile has partnered with Blunt Umbrellas to create a "smart" umbrella that can be located through Tile when it gets lost.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Pelletiere|first1=Nicole|title='Smart' Umbrellas You Can't Lose|url=http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/smart-umbrellas-lose/story?id=26487930|accessdate=12 March 2016|work=ABC News|date=27 October 2014}}</ref> Done

• Add an "Availability" section between "Function" and "Funding":

== Availability ==

In addition to being sold online through [[Amazon]] and the company's web site,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Goodman|first1=Michelle|title=Hate Losing Your Stuff? You'll Love Tile.|url=http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/241519|accessdate=12 March 2016|work=Entrepreneur|date=12 February 2015}}</ref> Tile is available at many retail locations, including US [[Apple Stores]], [[T-Mobile]], [[Target]], [[Best Buy]] and [[Lowe's]] stores.<ref name="ReadWrite"/><ref>{{cite news|last1=Hurst|first1=Samantha|title=Brief: Tile Set to Hit Best Buy, Lowe’s, Target, & Kenneth Cole Stores Nationwide Mid-November|url=http://www.crowdfundinsider.com/2015/11/76803-brief-tile-set-to-hit-best-buy-lowes-target-kenneth-cole-stores-nationwide-mid-november/|accessdate=12 March 2016|work=Crowdfund Insider|date=4 November 2015}}</ref> Tile is also available in the UK via Amazon and [[Firebox]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Woods|first1=Ben|title=Tile's $25 tracking tags come to the UK, but there's something more exciting on the way|url=http://thenextweb.com/gadgets/2016/02/11/tiles-25-tracking-tags-come-to-the-uk-but-theres-something-more-exciting-on-the-way/|accessdate=12 March 2016|work=The Next Web|date=11 February 2016}}</ref>  Not done I consider this promotional, and not suitable for an encyclopedia article —  crh ₂₃  (Talk) 17:41, 29 April 2016 (UTC)[reply]

• Remove the description of the promotional video from the "Funding" section‍—‌doesn't seem notable, in my opinion.

As of August 12, 2014, the project's promotional video had over 4 million views on YouTube. In the video, actors use a simulated version of the future Tile app, and it features shots of the San Francisco skyline and actress Genevieve Farrell. The founders of Tile, Nick Evans and Michael Farley, speak together at the end and show a prototype version of the product.  Done —  crh ₂₃  (Talk) 17:41, 29 April 2016 (UTC)[reply]

• At the end of "Similar Products", add a parenthetical note:

(Tile can be used to find items other than keys as well.)<ref name="ReadWrite"/> Partly done instead, removed the word other —  crh ₂₃  (Talk) 17:41, 29 April 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks! Mary Gaulke (talk) 20:41, 12 April 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Addressed points individually, marking this request as answered. —  crh ₂₃  (Talk) 17:41, 29 April 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you for your help! Mary Gaulke (talk) 21:11, 4 May 2016 (UTC)[reply]

All of the tech companies spy on their users. It's hard to believe that Tile isn't spying or hoarding location data to sell to marketers. Tile doesn't make it clear what data they collect or retain, and there's doesn't seem to be any skepticism in this article in regards to this company or their operations. 108.200.234.93 (talk) 18:49, 23 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]

If you have reliable sources expressing skepticism that you can share, we would of course take that into consideration for adding to the article. -- Fyrael (talk) 06:24, 26 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]