POM Tracking Tags Keep Tabs on Objects, People via Bluetooth and GPS [iOS Blog]

POM, short for Peace of Mind, is a new Kickstarter project offering Bluetooth and GPS-based tracking tag solutions. The basic POM is a tracking device that connects to the iPhone via Bluetooth LE and attaches to all manner of things -- pets, kids, valuables, and more.

Much like similar tracking products such as Tile and Duet, the small, square-shaped Bluetooth POM tag tracks people, pets, and objects over short distances up to 300 feet. For tracking things over longer distances, there's also the Total POM, which utilizes Bluetooth, Cellular, and GPS.

POM and Total POM is a small, square tracking tag, smaller than a key fob that attaches to your dog's collar, can be worn on the wrist, or attached to your key ring or handbag. Hide it inside your purse, your computer case, your golf club bag, your suitcase, your guitar. Wear it as a bracelet for children and at-risk adults.

Both the POM and the Total POM use replaceable batteries, with the POM offering a three year battery life expectancy and the Total POM offering up to one year of battery life depending on how frequently it is used. The trackers connect to a complementary iPhone app, which offers features like sound alerts when a tagged item goes out of range and a "Last Location" option that marks the last known location of an object. The tags also include functions like leashing, an accelerometer to know if an item moves, and a temperature gauge.

There's also a POM Link, which connects to home or office internet and acts as a constant monitoring beacon to create a "protection zone" letting users know when an item goes out of range, which is particularly useful for the shorter-range Bluetooth tags.

The standard Bluetooth-based POM will retail for $25, but is available at $15 for the first 250 Kickstarter backers, and $20 for the first 500 backers. Total POM, with GPS, is available to the first 500 Kickstarter backers for $99, with one year of service included, or $120 with two years included. After the free service has ended, Total POM costs $20 per year to use.

POM Link, the base station able to keep track of POM tags, is available to backers for $249. A bracelet will also be available if a stretch goal of $250,000 is reached.

A limited number of POMs are expected to ship in December of 2014, with the rest shipping in March of 2015. The POM Link will ship in April of 2015.