Both Apple and Google support third-party devices that can be located using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and their respective crowdsourced networks (e.g., AirTags and Find My Device trackers). These networks also enable locating smartphones even when powered down, thanks to dedicated low-power hardware that functions as a beacon. Apple extends this functionality further to devices such as MacBooks.
I propose that future laptop mainboards include an optional, BIOS-controlled feature that allows the device to operate as a BLE beacon even when fully powered off. The power requirements would be minimal: for comparison, a single CR2032 coin cell (< 1Wh) can sustain an AirTag for up to a year. Integrated into a laptop’s mainboard, the energy draw would be negligible relative to the capacity of a typical laptop battery (> 51Wh).
There have been some good efforts that have successfully interfaced with it; see OpenHaystack and biemster/FindMy.
The AirTag itself has a few RE writeups; e.g. Adam Catley’s. Given its much smaller disassembled size, perhaps you can find a way to fit just the internals in the Framework. Maybe even to power it off the battery/mainboard. If not, perhaps something more custom via OpenHaystack or such. Maybe you can even enroll the same tracker in both networks? Would be neat.
I think the main issue with these solutions is that they stop working once the laptop is shut down. Even if you manage to get them running reliably during suspension, no power-saving configuration will keep a laptop active for more than a few days—maybe five at most. In contrast, something implemented directly in the BIOS could potentially last for a year while consuming almost no power.
These DIY approaches using reverse engineering are impressive, but a big drawback is the lack of official support from Apple or Google. That makes the authentication process fragile and raises the risk that your account could be banned at any time. For example, just a few months ago you even needed a virtualized macOS environment to generate specific tokens needed to run biemster/FindMy.
The idea is to power them off the battery or some always-on rail on the motherboard to avoid this issue.
Naturally. Unless FW were to partner with one or both to build it into the board, using shucked official devices would be most “reliable” for an end user. I’m not suggesting that FW build hardware based on RE’d support and guesses about compatibility. For a personal / community built solution though, why not avail yourself of what’s available? This is the only current (known) method of achieving tracking like what was described.
True. This is probably fairly low risk though. I think the ability to register custom trackers is great and would If I had a need, but others like you may not want the risk or hassle. Can’t make the choice though if you aren’t aware of the option.