Find My Device Feature Receives Major Upgrade from Google’s Competitor AirTag
During its annual developer event Google I/O 2023, Google unveiled significant updates centered around artificial intelligence (AI). Additionally, it was disclosed that Google is developing a competitor to Apple AirTag and an enhanced version of Find My Device to counteract Bluetooth tracker stalking. The release of these features is scheduled for “later this summer.” Currently, Find My Device assists users in locating misplaced devices with location capabilities and internet connectivity. Finally, we have a preview of the potential appearance of these new functionalities.
Find my device
A new logo that resembles other Google logos has appeared on some devices running a beta version of Android, and testers have received emails that their devices were found using the new Find My Device network, according to a report by Tech Radar. In addition, the emails contain a link to Google’s support page, which provides a description of how Google’s new Find My Device network works. Google announced at Google I/O 2023 that the updated Find My Device feature will make it easier to find lost devices by calling compatible devices or viewing their location on the app’s map.
The new network allows phones, tablets, earbuds and Bluetooth trackers to be tracked by letting them ping Android devices around the world, offering more accurate tracking than third-party trackers.
Unknown tracker alerts
Regarding the issues related to tracking unknown Bluetooth trackers, Android tester Mishaal Rahman recently shared screenshots of the interface for Unknown Tracking functions, which notifies you if unknown Bluetooth trackers are tracking you.
Here are some screenshots of Android’s soon-to-be-released unknown tracker alerts feature, which alerts you of potentially unwanted tracker tags near you.
Screenshots: @AssembleDebug pic.twitter.com/zoMM8Iw1vp
— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) June 26, 2023
The feature comes after Apple and Google jointly submitted a proposed industry specification to help combat the misuse of Bluetooth location tracking devices for unwanted tracking, according to a statement released by Apple.
This is a first-of-its-kind specification that not only detects whether people are unsolicited, but also alerts iOS and Android users.
