This update will allow the ‘Find My Device’ feature to work with third-party Bluetooth trackers from companies like Tile and Chipolo and also allow users to keep track of other valuables like bicycles or suitcases. The network will be built on billions of Android devices, raising concerns about privacy. Google says location information is encrypted on the new network, which means no one, including Google, can tell where the devices are located.
One of the biggest headlines of the update is the introduction of ‘Unknown tracker alerts’ on Android, which will tell users if an unrecognized tracking tag is moving with them and will also help them find it. These alerts will work across all phones, including iPhones, thanks to a new standard agreed upon by Google and Apple. The update takes the limited ‘Find My Device’ feature to a whole new level, effectively turning over three billion Android devices into the world’s largest object-tracking network.
