What is Reddit's opinion of Bluetooth Finder?

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

Obviously it's not possible with the current generation, but it seems like it wouldn't be that hard to implement. If the case itself had bluetooth connectivity, you could theoretically use signal strength to locate it. A few android apps like this one claim to do this for any bluetooth device but I can't say how well they work.

> So the evidence for the claim is that the thief was “looking at a phone” when he stole a laptop stored on the back seat of a car?

It's far more plausible than them employing technical devices to steal minor amounts of goods. Also, it was not "looking at a phone", the phone is makes them look less conspicuous.

>Please understand my skepticism.

Then please explain it. There is no reason to assume that a criminal stealing electronics which are difficult to resell for any decent value would employ expensive tech to do such a thing. At most they had a bluetooth scanner app on their phone. But that isn't precise and doesn't give a whole lot of direction, so unless this guy was wandering rather aimlessly for a time trying to pinpoint the location of the goods, this is a rather simple smash and grab.

> A phone can find Bluetooth connections for devices that are in discovery mode.

If your phone has bluetooth, it can talk to other bluetooth devices even when not in discovery mode

>I pulled up my Bluetooth right now on iOS, and the only devices it “sees” is essentially a history list of already connected devices

Which is your confusion. Bluetooth isn't restricted to just pairing - it can be used to talk to any device that has bluetooth on. This is how stores are able to track you inside the store using bluetooth.

>Low and behold, near my residential parking lot and several condos, you don’t see any devices on Bluetooth.

Because looking at devices to pair isn't what you should be doing.

I found my outside by using the Bluetoothfinder app on my phone. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bluetoothFinder&hl=en_US

Have you tried using a bluetooth/fitbit finder app? When mine was lost I used Bluetooth finder, to find it in my house. The one I linked is free for Android, I tried finding one for my iphone and they all seemed to be paid apps.

Your best bet is to download Bluetooth Finder app and use the app to find your Bluetooth device based on its signal strength. The better the signal, the nearer you are in locating the Honor Band 4. You can try downloading this one in the Play Store https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bluetoothFinder

I used an app called "Bluetooth Finder" to track my Fitbit. It shows all bluetooth devices in range. It does show my spen as named "null" with a non changing signal strength of -97 and its mac address. Normally, as in the case of my Fitbit, you can see the signal strength change as you get closer or farther. Also remember that spen will only last under 30 minutes anyway. Even if there was an actionable signal strength, I don't think theres enough time. What would you have done in half an hour that you wouldn't at least have a good idea of where it is? https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bluetoothFinder

From the Fitbit FAQ's: > Try using a Bluetooth locator app to help you find your device. For iPhone, try LightBlue Explorer. For Android, try Bluetooth Finder.

LightBlue - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lightblue-bluetooth-low-energy/id557428110?mt=8

Bluetooth Finder - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bluetoothFinder&hl=en

Haven't tried these myself but I remembered seeing this during the new device setup. Good Luck!

Edit: Fitbit FAQ Page - https://help.fitbit.com/articles/en_US/Help_article/1188

Also bluetooth finder

Use this app. My friend lost her Flex and found it with this.

Bluetooth finder - never actually tried using one of these, but it's probably worth a shot at least.