Google Is Reportedly Working on Its Own AirTag-Style Location Tracker

[MacRumors]

Google is working on its own location tracking tag to compete with Apple AirTags and Tile trackers, according to developer and leaker Kuba Wojciechowski (via The Verge).

The developer claims to have discovered references to the upcoming first-party tags in Google's Fast Pair method for quickly pairing nearby Bluetooth devices. The device is said to be codenamed "Grogu," after the baby Yoda character from "The Mandalorian" Star Wars series, and is being developed by the Google Nest team.

Wojciechowski believes the tracker could be released in multiple color options and include an onboard speaker to help users locate a missing device by sound, similar to Apple's AirTags.

Like AirTags and iPhone 11 and newer models, Google's Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 7 Pro smartphones both support Ultra Wideband, and Wojciechowski claims the trackers could support the wireless protocol in addition to Bluetooth LE to provide users with precise directions to a lost tag. Google could announce the tracking tags alongside new Pixel phones at its I/O Developer Conference in May.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1615062464747474959

Google's tags would likely offer much more functionality on Android than Apple's AirTags are capable of providing. AirTags require an Apple device to set up, and while Apple does have a "Tracker Detect" app in the Google Play Store that allows Android users to scan for AirTags and other Find My-enabled items that have been separated from their owner, the app was basically designed to alleviate fears that ‌AirTags‌ can be used maliciously to track the location of individuals.

Article Link: Google Is Reportedly Working on Its Own AirTag-Style Location Tracker

 

[Leon Ze Professional]

Big brother Google is watching your every move!

 

[mystery hill]

They’re moving from browser cookies to physical cookies.

 

[VulchR]

Hands up if you trust Google to have data from physical trackers.

 

[BvizioN]

Of course they are. They may call it G-Tag

 

[JosephAW]

They already have one it's called android phone

 

[szw-mapple fan]

This is one area that Apple and Google should work together on. More compatible phones = more potential location data for the tags. I'm sure Apple can find a privacy focused appraoch like they did with the COVID exposure alerts.

 

[giggles]

What would they use as bt beacons? Just the Pixels and Chromebooks? Can’t beat Apple’s network of 1B+ iPhones, Macs and iPads.

 

[adamlbiscuit]

I heard they were going to call it G-Spot

 

[Sasparilla]

This seems like a challenging item to be replicating as only their Pro Pixels have the tech for looking for them relatively closely. There's certainly room for improvement compared to AirTags, say having one tracker shared by multiple phones (family's) etc. that Apple hasn't covered with theirs.

Will be interesting whether this sees the light of day because of the lack of tech in general android phones (even base Pixels).

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Lol imagine buying a product that gives Google your locat… oh wait.

 

[tridley68]

Another way for them to track and collect your info

 

[nistromo]

Ha they'll say its for tracking items but they mean you 👀

 

[MJaP]

Google will allow you to label the tag to identify what it is attached to... Google then reserves the right to sell that data to third parties (muggers)... Google then reserves the right to release a subscription app which allows a mugger to create a shopping list of items which will pinpoint on Google Maps where those items are currently located and show the most efficient route to steal them... Google further reserves the right to take 10% commission on monies made when selling the items on the black market 🤣

 

[dominiongamma]

Another way for them to track and collect your info

Apple didn’t get the best headlines with AirTags with stalking and tracking so

 

[enterthemerdaverse]

I have leaked photos of it. It's called G-string. Am I allowed to post photos of G-strings?

 

[nistromo]

Apple didn’t get the best headlines with AirTags with stalking and tracking so

I don't think Apple cares where you are or what stores you just walked into.

 

[huges84]

Very few Android phones have Ultra Wide Band radios to be able to detect these from far away or to pinpoint the precise location. Then there’s also the fact that most Android phones never get major OS version upgrades.

So it will be quite a while after release before a critical mass of phones can detect these trackers and make them as useful as Air Tags.

Then there’s the fact that these will be assumed to be a privacy nightmare due to it being from Google.

I don’t see these selling well.

 

[enterthemerdaverse]

Everyone remember Tom Cruise getting stalked by ads in Minority Report. Brother was just trying to run for his life and the ads in the street kept asking him if he wants to book a holiday or buy shampoo smh.

 

[JM]

They’ll sell well. There are millions of people who don’t care about Google’s business model, and will gladly give up there personal info for free just to have that cheaper tech.

It’s insane the love that people have for Google and Android, parading their anti-Apple stance oh-so-proudly.

 

[Grimace]

The G-Spot finder!

 

[neotaz]

I heard they were going to call it G-Spot

Then most men would never be able to find it!

 

[CarAnalogy]

Of course they are. They may call it G-Tag

edit: damn beat me to it.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Then most men would never be able to find it!

This gives me an idea for a new type of tracker…

 

[CarAnalogy]

Everyone remember Tom Cruise getting stalked by ads in Minority Report. Brother was just trying to run for his life and the ads in the street kept asking him if he wants to book a holiday or buy shampoo smh.

And that’s where the movie breaks with reality. In the real version of this, first billboard he looked at would have turned him in.