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

For once Google is letting Apple come out with a product first to take the heat.

Also ironically people don’t expect much from Google, but I bet this will integrate with their already existing dashboard to clearly control what they can track about you.
 
What would they use as bt beacons? Just the Pixels and Chromebooks? Can’t beat Apple’s network of 1B+ iPhones, Macs and iPads.
Bluetooth LE will work with this apparently so UWB isn't a requirement and there are more Android devices in the world than Apple.

Now it would be nice if Apple let you use AirTag with android for native notifications in Android 13/14 so you don't get stalked because you don't own an iPhone.
 
Am I the only one that dislikes that “Child” character from Star Wars? I just don’t like it.

Whatever google gins up, it’ll be second rate.
 
Notification on Android phone:

*We noticed you walk by this best buy every day on your way to work right before buying your Frappuccino from Starbucks. here is an ad for best buy sales this week
 
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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).

AirTag-Feature-Recolor.jpg

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.


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
Don't need to buy a google tag, Google already knows where everything you own is at any given time. just need a Google contact number.
 
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.
And right here on MacRumors, all the time. too.
 
Bluetooth LE will work with this apparently so UWB isn't a requirement and there are more Android devices in the world than Apple.

Now it would be nice if Apple let you use AirTag with android for native notifications in Android 13/14 so you don't get stalked because you don't own an iPhone.

Why should non-Google Android phones let Google run an always on background Bluetooth LE beacon just for its Airtag-lookalike thingy? Google Pixels out there are few and apart.

And in the US there are now more iPhones than Android phones btw.
 
Giving Google any more data than necessary is a very bad idea. Google is the world's most powerful spy agency.
 
What would they use as bt beacons? Just the Pixels and Chromebooks? Can’t beat Apple’s network of 1B+ iPhones, Macs and iPads.
Android accounts for 71% over iOS 26% worldwide. Android is the world's biggest os so having a Google tag would be welcomed.
 
Android accounts for 71% over iOS 26% worldwide. Android is the world's biggest os so having a Google tag would be welcomed.

You’re the second person quoting me while failing to understand what I meant.

Probably you don’t know how the “Find My” network works when the Airtag is far away from its owner, or you would understand my objection.

Billions of Android phones in rural China or in Africa won’t help you find the bag you left at the park.

Android phones that are not made by Google cannot be forced to contribute to Google’s “Find My” network, unless Google forces every OEM using Google services to contribute, but that would be sketchy as hell. We trust Apple with the anonymization of the crowd-sourced “Find my” location because Apple controls the whole hw+sw tech pipeline. How would that work for Google+OEM1+OEM2+OEM3…and why would Samsung contribute to Google’s “Find my” network if Pixel sales are a rounding error compared to Samsung sales..they’d rather just support their own Samsung SmartTags..
 
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