Jiobit is in its Own Class When it Comes to GPS Trackers for Kids
Jiobit is the first of its kind patented location tracking platform, enabling the longest lasting and smallest real-time location products with best-in-class security. Jiobit is water-resistant, durable, discreet, and provides accurate real-time tracking at any distance. Featuring a host of encryption and security technologies, Jiobit is trusted by federal government customers, law enforcement professionals, and thousands of pet owners and families, with usage in every populated continent in the world. Consumers love Jiobit giving an average rating of 4.5 stars over 225 reviews from Amazon, Google and Facebook.
Jiobit Heads to CES 2019 as a Winner: Wins Best of BabyTech Award
Jiobit has been named as a winner of Babylist's Best of BabyTech Awards at CES® 2019. Jiobit was selected as the winner of this year’s Baby Health & Safety Category, being recognized as a leader in providing the highest quality safety technology to children and families.
“We knew that heading into CES and the new year we wanted to set the bar high for children’s technology standards. We are committed to increasing safety standards for children all around the world by continuing to advance our robust security technology and service offerings. We are delighted to accept this award and have the support from the technology community, and families that believe in our product and mission” said John Renaldi, CEO and Co-Founder of Jiobit.
From WIRED Magazine: This GPS Tracker is Like Having a Marauder's Map for Your Kids
"I found the Jiobit could locate my child and pet with an uncanny degree of accuracy."
WIRED Magazine reviewed Jiobit for kids and for pets, and found it to be "the best way to keep tabs on your pets and kids."
The writer talks about giving her child more freedom using Jiobit:
"As a parent, it can be hard to know when to grab your children and when to pull back. But on a recent sunny Saturday morning, in a mostly empty park, I decided to try something different. When my 4-year-old took off down the trail, I resisted the urge to sprint after her. Instead, I opened the Jiobit app and turned on Live Mode.
I watched as the little dot got about 400 feet away from me, walked in uncertain circles at a fork in the trail, then turned around. As it turns out, a little bit of freedom goes a long way."
Many parents are concerned with data privacy, and here's how the writer discusses Jiobit's security:
"If you’ve ever wondered why you would shell out for something like a Jiobit instead of, say, clipping a Tile Pro on your kid’s shoe, it’s probably because the location monitor has stronger security protocols. For example, the Jiobit has a dedicated security chip that meets the standards set by the US military; without this chip, a device can’t access the Jiobit servers."
Overall, the writer spoke about how easy the experience was, and how it can benefit parents:
Maybe it doesn’t track how many calories my dog burns, like Whistle 3, but it’s much nicer to use.
Read more from WIRED
Jiobit: PCMag Editor's Choice
Jiobit had the opportunity to sit down with Sascha Segan from PCMag and talk to him about Jiobit. We left him a sample to test with his own daughter and we were thrilled with his feedback. He gave his full stamp of approval by awarding Jiobit the PCMag Editor's Choice Award. This is quite the accolade coming from Sascha, PCMag's lead mobile analyst who has reviewed hundreds of gadgets throughout his career. Here's a quick snippet of what Sascha had to say about Jiobit:
“GPS trackers are for people who want to be tracked. Fortunately, small children generally do: Kids under the age of 10 don't want to get lost, and when they're lost, they want to be found. For pure tracking, as opposed to voice communication, the Jiobit is the best product we've seen so far. Jiobit is an American startup, run by ex-Motorola employees. That's relevant because the company has very responsive customer support, and the fit and finish on its product speaks of years in the wireless industry. The Jiobit tracker is small, affordable, attractive, and convenient, with an innovative Bluetooth leash feature. It's our Editors' Choice for GPS kid trackers and potentially wandering elderly people.”
Click here for Sascha's full review on PCMag.com.
Jiobit Receives SBIR Phase II Award from U.S. Air Force
Chicago, IL - August 21, 2019 - The U.S. Air Force has awarded Jiobit, an advanced location tracking platform, a substantial contract to proceed into Phase II of its Small Business Innovation & Research (SBIR) Program. Established in 1982, the SBIR is a highly competitive program that supports research and development by small businesses with strong potential for military and commercial use.
“The Phase II Award serves as a testament to Jiobit’s unique hardware and system-level attributes, all built around military-grade data security," said Roger Ady, CTO and Co-Founder of Jiobit. “We look forward to delivering solutions that address the needs of our U.S. Air Force customers while at the same time providing valuable new capabilities to our commercial customers.”
Jiobit completed Phase I of the SBIR program in June, successfully demonstrating that its technology platform can meet specific U.S. Air Force mission needs. With the Phase II Award, Jiobit will now develop and test the new solutions with its U.S. Air Force partners.
“In Phase II, companies must be able to clearly demonstrate their ability to deliver into production solutions that not only meet U.S. Air Force requirements but can be sustained for the long-term through their commercial appeal,” said Ady. “Consistent with the goals of the program, the features we develop will all be dual-use -- for U.S. Air Force customers and Jiobit consumers alike.”
About The SBIR Program:
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a highly competitive program that encourages domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) that has the potential for commercialization. The mission of the SBIR program is to support scientific excellence and technological innovation through the investment of Federal research funds in critical American priorities to build a strong national economy.
From CNBC: This tracker tells parents when their kids are straying from safe places
CNBC editor, Lora Kolodny sat down with Jiobit CEO, John Renaldi to talk about what led him to create his very own location monitor for kids. John told the now-familiar story of losing track of his 6-year-old at a crowded Chicago park and how his initial search for a tracking solution ended in disappointment. John was not happy with the bulky options with poor battery life and tracking limitations.
During their meeting, Lora put Jiobit to the test to find out for herself if the product lived up to its promises.
John demo'd how to set boundaries around trusted locations so that parents can be notified when their child leaves or arrives somewhere. He also took her through how to add care team members so that mom, dad, nannies, and family members can share the responsibility - also allowing the parent to know who their child is with. Lora then wanted to understand how far the Jiobit would actually track. In the demo she made it a half-mile away, however, it can go much farther. She was impressed with the ability to track at any distance - even from another country if necessary.
Check out Lora’s interview with John and live demo here.
FORBES: Jiobit is the perfect tracker for pets and kids
From FORBES:
As most pet lovers know, the joy of owning a dog or cat can be shattered when it runs away. My family experienced this years ago when our beloved dog Sam ran out of the backyard and was killed by a motorist a few blocks from our home. It was a devastating experience, but one that may be preventable in the future.
Jiobit is a location tracker solution for pets and children. At 0.77 ounces and roughly the size of an Oreo cookie, Jiobit is one of the smallest location tracker solutions on the market. Jiobit integrates Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular, and GPS technology, and boasts a battery life of a week on a single charge.
Setting up Jiobit is effortless: simply pair it with your Apple or Android smartphone using the Jiobit app and you’re off to the races. The Jiobit app can show you your pet or child’s location (updated every 10 seconds), set boundaries, and even tell you who they’re with. Jiobit’s geofence capability allows users to set trusted locations (like the perimeter of a home or a park), so that they are alerted when their Jiobit-equipped child or pet leaves or enters those places.
Jiobit is made of highly durable plastic and is shock-resistant (I’m confident that even the brawniest 7-year-old would have difficulty trying to destroy it). It’s also waterproof, which comes in handy when walking pets in the rain. Jiobit is conveniently charged with a small charging stand that is included in the box. During my testing, the only quibble I had is that the enclosed pouch that you clip to your pet or child is a bit cumbersome. I found it easier to use a small, detachable keychain holder, which allowed me to quickly disengage Jiobit for its weekly charge.
What I really like about Jiobit is its ability to provide the user with data on who your child or pet is with. Users can grant access to the Jiobit app to family or caregivers so that their smartphones connect to Jiobit via Bluetooth whenever they’re in range. The app can then provide notifications to let you know who your child or pet is with, where, and at what time.
For all of its capabilities, it would be nice to see future versions of Jiobit equipped with a small “panic” button so that children could press and alert others for help. It would also be helpful for future versions of the app to include daily history information.
If you have small children or a beloved pet, Jiobit is easy to use and can provide welcome peace of mind. Growing up, I had a younger brother who had a penchant for wandering away during trips to shopping malls in New Jersey, sending my parents on a scavenger hunt. Jiobit would have been a godsend.
From Fatherly: This Tiny GPS Tracker Lets You Keep Tabs On Your Kid At All Times
"Most parents don’t aspire to helicopter status. They don’t set out to hover, or overprotect, or wrap their kids in plastic bubbles ⏤ it just happens. Somewhere along the way to raising a strong independent kid, it’s easy to veer off track. The Jiobit is designed to steer them back on course. It’s a lightweight GPS location tracker that gives parents the peace of mind to let their kids be kids."
Fatherly writer Dave Baldwin recently wrote about his experience with Jiobit. He described it as a product designed as much for children who wander off as it is for full-on free-rangers. Jiobit can securely attach to a kid’s clothes ⏤ be it a shoelace, belt, or buttonhole ⏤ thanks to a built-in loop and waistband clip, or it can be put in their pocket. It’s both shock resistant and waterproof (naturally, it’s for kids) and the rechargeable battery averages seven days.
Regarding the app, Fatherly wrote, "Once attached, the Jiobit uses both Wi-Fi and cell coverage to pinpoint Junior’s exact location anywhere in the world on their parent’s smartphone app. It also works like ride-sharing apps in that you watch the kid moving in real-time on the map. You can set geofences around trusted spaces like a home or school and receive notifications when they arrive or if they skip out. And for trips to the mall or crowded areas, there’s even a mobile geofence that surrounds you and the phone ⏤ if a child drifts too far away, you’ll know. And for added safety, the Jiobit has a tamper-resistant security chip that prevents hacking or cloning should it fall into the wrong hands."
Read more from Fatherly here.
From POPSUGAR: This GENIUS New Tech Product Is For Parents Worried About Ever Losing Their Kids
A POPSUGAR editor and mom recently took Jiobit for a spin.
While my 11-month-old baby hasn't mastered — or done anything close to mastering — the art of walking yet, I know that milestone isn't far off. And with walking comes a whole host of fun adventures and memories to be had. But with walking, unfortunately, also comes the very real fear many parents have that their children might accidentally wander off one day.
That's why one of the latest in baby tech devices is particularly exciting. The winner of this year's Babylist Best in Baby Tech Awards at CES, Jiobit is leading the way in tracking technology for families. It's an incredibly small and lightweight tracking device that can be worn on a child's belt loop, shoelace, or even hidden inside of a shirt. It syncs to an adult's phone so that they can track their kid anywhere — no distance limits!
Read more from from POPSUGAR
Jiobit featured on Red Tricycle
From Red Tricycle:
Have you ever wanted to strap a leash on your child just so you could make it through a simple trip to Target without having to order a store lockdown when your little escape artist makes a run for it? Yup, us too. The good news is, we may have found the solution to this very real problem. Read on for everything you want to know about the newest wearable kid-tracker to hit the market.
What is it?
Kid-trackers aren’t new, but the quest to create the perfect lightweight device that kids can’t lose or take off—and that has a battery life long enough to make it trustworthy for parents—has led manufacturers to keep on trying.
Enter Jiobit. Made by a parent, the Jiobit is a lightweight wearable tracking device that straps onto your child’s clothing or backpack (using a childproof lock!) and can monitor a location in real-time, so you never have to wonder where she wandered off to. Jiobit CEO John Renaldi, a former VP of eCommerce at Motorola, says he co-founded the company after experiencing “the worst panic of his life” in 2015 when he lost his six-year-old son for 30 minutes in a crowded park.
“As a parent, I’ve always been concerned about my kids’ safety,” he said on the Jiobit website, “and this event left me feeling like I needed to do more. My search for wearable tracking solutions for kids came up way short—finding subpar products that were bulky, had terrible battery life, and was poorly designed.”
What makes it worth it?
It can track your kid everywhere (even up and down!)
Whereas some trackers can only pinpoint location when the wearer is outdoors, Jiobit uses multiple cellular networks plus wifi and Bluetooth technology, so you don’t have to worry about dead zones. If you’re in a multi-level building, it even has a barometer so it can tell you if your child is on a different floor than you (helpful for Houdinis who like to dart up department store escalators).
Battery life
What good is a tracker if the battery dies before your kid is found? The Jiobit can go more than a week (in some cases more than a month!) without a charge so you won’t have to worry about your child’s location suddenly disappearing from view because you forgot to plug in the device the night before.
Real-time alerts
Does your child head to an after-school program or a relative’s house after school? You can set customized boundaries and notifications that’ll alert you the moment your child arrives or departs a known location—this is great if you have someone else taking your kids to and from school.
You can also share your child’s location with your spouse, relatives, and other caregivers, who can all download the app so that you can know whom your child is with and when (Note: You can always place restrictions on when these people can view your child’s location.)
It’s waterproof
The device is fully waterproof up to five feet of depth for 30 minutes (Now you just have to waterproof your phone.).
You can use it like a leash
We think one of the coolest things about Jiobit isn’t just its ability to zero in on your child when you’re far away, but its ability to keep your kids close when you’re out as a family. Using the included app, just set a moving “geofence” for any of your Jiobit-wearing kids, so that if anyone wanders too far away from you, an alarm will sound on both your phone and on their trackers, making it easy for you to find each other.
Speaking of leashes … Your pets can use it, too!
Got some furry runners in your brood? Jiobits are small and lightweight enough that you can also use them to track your pets.
It works abroad
According to Jiobit, the tracker works in more than 158 countries. Given that traveling with little runners can be a nerve-racking prospect, that might make it our next must-have travel item.
From Buzzfeed: I Put A Tracking Device On My Kid (And My Pup) And This Is What Happened
Buzzfeed editor, Krista Torres, does not consider herself an overprotective parent, but she's open technology that will give her a little more peace of mind. We sent her a Jiobit to try with her son, Evan, and 24/7 peace of mind is exactly what she got. She tested out Jiobit in everyday situations like going to and from school and even took it to the ski slopes so she could keep track of him during his lessons.
Here's a bit of what she had to say:
"Overall, I thought this was super cool. As I said, I'm not an overprotective parent, but I definitely felt relief and peace of mind using it. I could just open the app and see my son's location whenever I wanted. It's ideal for everyday life, but especially when your kid is going somewhere new."
Check out Krista's full review here.
Jiobit Recognized For Dedication to Innovation After Securing 3 New Patents
Jiobit was named one of the winners of the 17th annual Chicago Innovation Awards. Out of 519 nominees, we were selected as one of the winners of this year's Up-and-Comer Award, being recognized as a rising star in Chicago.
In addition to winning this award (and to keep the innovation rolling), we have secured three new patents** for our Progressive Beaconing location technology, already featured in Jiobits being used all over the country. The three software patents speak to our commitment to innovation around location-based technology and are the first in a growing portfolio that will greatly expand over the next three years.
“519 organizations were nominated for this year’s awards,” said Luke Tanen, Executive Director of the Chicago Innovation Awards. “As a group, these nominees generated over $3.4 billion in new revenues from their new products and services, along with the creation of over 432 patents. The 25 winners represent the best from this very impressive group.”
“As every parent knows, losing track of a child for even a few moments is terrifying. It was just a split second that I took my eyes off of my son, and he was gone,” said John Renaldi, CEO and Co-Founder. “We are committed to increasing safety standards for children in Chicago and around the world by continuing to advance our technology and service offerings. We are delighted to accept this award and have the support from our local community.”
**Jiobit’s three new patents include:
- US patent 998,0087 - “Establishing location tracking information based on a plurality of locating category options”
- US patent 1,0064,002 - “Communicating location tracking information based on a plurality of locating category options”
US patent application 16/110,501 (awarded, pending public posting) “Communicating Location Tracking Information Based on Energy Consumption Aspects”
