What to know

  • Google says its Android Find My Device network is now four times faster at locating lost items.
  • The company plans to add Ultra Wideband (UWB) support to the network very soon.
  • UWB will enable more precise and energy-efficient tracking, similar to Apple’s AirTag system.
  • More details are expected at Google’s upcoming developer conference.

Google has announced that its Android Find My Device network is now four times faster at helping you locate lost items. This improvement means you can expect to find your misplaced devices or trackers much more quickly than before. The upgrade is part of Google’s ongoing efforts to make its device tracking service more efficient and reliable for Android users.

In addition to the speed boost, Google has also hinted that support for Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology will be added to the Find My Device network very soon. UWB is a short-range wireless communication protocol that allows for highly accurate location tracking. With UWB, you will be able to find your lost items with much greater precision, often within a few centimeters. This technology is already used by Apple’s AirTag system and is known for its energy efficiency and effectiveness indoors.

Currently, most Android devices rely on Bluetooth for tracking, which is less precise than UWB. However, new flagship Android phones with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon chips are expected to support UWB, making it easier for manufacturers to enable this feature without extra hardware costs.

Google’s executive Angela Hsiao confirmed that more information about UWB integration will be shared soon, possibly at the upcoming Google I/O developer conference. This move is seen as an effort to bring Android’s tracking capabilities closer to those offered by Apple and to provide users with a more secure and accurate way to locate their devices and personal items.

The Find My Device network already includes features like encrypted location sharing and alerts for unknown trackers. With these new updates, Google aims to make the service faster, safer, and more precise for everyone using Android devices.

Via: 9to5Google