**The Future of Lost and Found: Google's Find My Device Network**
In recent years, there has been a growing need for a reliable and efficient lost and found system, especially among frequent travelers. This is where Google's Find My Device Network comes in, promising to revolutionize the way we track down our misplaced belongings. Unlike Samsung's only-compatible-with-Samsung phones approach, which limits its usability, Google's network is built around Android's new Find My Device feature, making it compatible with a wide range of devices from various manufacturers.
**A New Standard for Lost and Found**
The new Find My Device Network uses a billion Android phones worldwide as private and secure nodes to help locate lost trackers. This crowdsourced approach ensures that the system can work pretty much like Apple's Find My network, which has been widely praised for its effectiveness. Android has a significantly higher penetration rate than Apple globally, making Google's Network stronger and more widespread. With this technology, users will be able to find their lost trackers even in areas where iPhones are rare.
**How It Works**
To use the system, one needs a tracker that works with Android devices, such as Chipolo or Pebblebee, which have recently announced their compatibility with Google's Find My Device Network. The network relies on Bluetooth being enabled at all times for it to work, and Android phones will even receive an option to automatically turn Bluetooth on after it has been disabled for more than 24 hours.
**The Benefits of a Universal Lost and Found System**
One of the most significant advantages of Google's Find My Device Network is its universality. Unlike other systems that are specific to one brand or app, this network will work across all Android devices, regardless of who's making the tracker. Users won't need separate apps for each brand of trackers, making it easier to manage multiple devices.
**Features and Features**
The new Find My Device Network offers several features that set it apart from existing lost and found systems. One of the most notable is its ability to trigger unknown tracker alert notifications on both Android phones and iPhones when an unattached device has been tracked by another phone. This feature was inspired by Apple's AirTags, which were criticized for being used for nefarious purposes.
**Compatibility with Apple AirTags**
Google has worked closely with Apple to ensure seamless compatibility between their networks. With the release of iOS 17.5, iPhones will now be able to notify users of stocking Android trackers. This means that both Apple and Google's systems can detect unknown trackers following users, making it easier for them to track down their misplaced belongings.
**Availability and Pricing**
Chipolo has already announced its RoundOne point tracker will be available starting May 27 on chip.net and from July onwards on Amazon and other stores. The round one costs $28, while the card point is $35. Discounts are also available in multipacks, as well as bundles with two round ones and one card for $77 total. Pebblebee, on the other hand, will be launching its St ERS tracker in late May on pebblebee.com and starting June on the Google Store, all three models costing $29.99.
**Conclusion**
Google's Find My Device Network has the potential to revolutionize the way we track down our misplaced belongings. With its universality, features, and compatibility with Apple AirTags, it promises to provide a more efficient and reliable lost and found system for users. We will be reviewing both Chipolo and Pebblebee trackers in late May, so stay tuned for an in-depth look at how well they work and if they meet the high standards set by Apple's AirTags and Samsung's Smart Tag.
"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enAndroid's air tag alternatives are finally finally ready to launch these were announced in April of 2023 but they were delayed for a whole year because of Apple but we finally have all the details and here are five things you should know about these Android compatible Bluetooth trackers including what how when and how much both chipolo and pebblebee are making Bluetooth trackers that will be compatible with Google's new find my device Network on Android chipolo will offer two models both in white the one point which is round and has a keyhole to hook it to your keys and the card point which has the same size as a credit card but is a little thicker it will still fit well in most wallets though both trackers use Bluetooth are Splash resistant and have a loud siren to help you find them the round one has a user replaceable coin cell battery but the card doesn't chipolo offers you a 50% discount those to buy a new card when the battery dies peble be on the other hand has three different models and all come in Black there's a round clip with a keyhole and a card both of them similar to chip Poo's one and card but these are a bit thicker plus pebblebee is making a third mini Tag that you can stick to small items like remote controls for example all of these have rechargeable batteries via USBC cable which is more sustainable than Chip's approach they're also rated at a higher ipx6 water resistant and not Splash resistant and they have bright LED lights to help you find them in the dark on paper I got to say I'm more intrigued by by Pebble be's tracker features but I'm a little bit worried about their extra thickness you might be watching this and thinking hey uh I already have Bluetooth trackers that work with my Android phone so what's new here and the thing is yes those trackers existed but they basically only worked with their own app and their own network this is the case with tiles and Samsung stackers for example the Samsung Galaxy smart TCH 2 only works with Samsung phones and only uses other Samsung phones to find your lost items that's a little bit limited the new tags from chipolo and pebblebee are built around Google's new find my device Network which will work across all of Android not one specific brand and not one specific app so pixel phone Samsung Motorola nothing xiaomi and more all of these phones are compatible and all of them can be used as the backbone of the network this new Android f m device Network also works pretty much like Apple's find M Network it is endtoend encrypted and crowdsources a billion Android phones around the whole world it uses them as a private and secure nodes to help you find your lost tracker that's a GameChanger because Android has a much higher penetration rate than Apple worldwide so Google's Network should technically be stronger and spread wider than Apple's find M especially in areas where iPhones are Rarity so say I'm traveling and my luggage gets sent to Peru while I'm landing in Beirut I can still know the location of my suitcase as long as an Android phone is near it most notably the phone needs to have bluetooth enabled at all times because the network relies on it Android phones might even get a new setting that auto turns Bluetooth on the next day after you turn it off so you never leave the network for more than 24 hours this is all opt in though so if you prefer to keep everything disabled and not participate in the network you can do that if you buy one of these trackers that work with Androids fine my device Network you should expect it to have the same features regardless of who's making it you won't need a separate app for each brand of trackers so pebblebee chipolo and later Geo and Motorola's trackers will all show up in Google's find my device app a new tracker will first pop up as a fast pair notification similar to what you get for Bluetooth earbuds to let you link it to your Google account you can give it a name and an icon and then you can find it when it's nearby by ringing it or track it when it's far away if it's been located by another an phone and the network there's also a Nifty option where lost trackers around your home will alert you if they are near Nest speakers so you know exactly where to look for them instead of rumaging through the whole house you can also check the tracker's battery status and share it with a partner or friend to let them keep an eye on shared items like car keys or house keys for example one very crucial feature of these trackers is that both chipolo and pebblebee and any future product under Google's find my device network will will trigger unknown tracker alert notifications on both Android phones and iPhones when Apple Air tags first launched some people started using them for nefarious purposes after a few years and many many complaints Apple built unknown tracker alerts to notify people if an air tag that doesn't belong to them and was dissociated from its owner's phone was following them around but now that Google has its own network the two companies had to work together to create a single spec that both of them adhere to that way your iPhone can also detect an unknown Google tracker if it's following you and your Android phone can also notify you if an air tag is tracking you it's been months since Google filled its own end of the bargain and rolled out unknown tracker alerts for Apple Air tags on Android phones but we've been waiting for a year for Apple to bring the opposite feature in iOS this is why Android's air tag Alternatives have been delayed this long with iOS 17.5 which is supposed to launch in a few weeks iPhones will be able to notify you of stocking Android trackers and that's why chipolo and pebblebee are finally able to launch their trackers now Chip Poo's two trackers will be available starting May 27 on chip. net and from July onwards on Amazon and other stores the round one point costs $28 the card point is $35 and there are discounted multipacks plus you'll be able to buy a bundle with two round ones and one card for $77 total Pebble be on the other hand says it's St ERS will be available in late May on pebblebee.com and starting June on the Google Store all three models cost the same $29.99 for a single unit with a small discount if you buy them in packs personally I'm very excited to try these out I travel a lot and I'm a forgetful person so a lost and found system that works across all of Android is perfect for me we will be getting both the chipot and Pebble be trackers in for review in late May so don't forget to subscribe to Android authority if you want to see how well they work and if they're as good as Apple's air tag and Samsung's smart tag tooAndroid's air tag alternatives are finally finally ready to launch these were announced in April of 2023 but they were delayed for a whole year because of Apple but we finally have all the details and here are five things you should know about these Android compatible Bluetooth trackers including what how when and how much both chipolo and pebblebee are making Bluetooth trackers that will be compatible with Google's new find my device Network on Android chipolo will offer two models both in white the one point which is round and has a keyhole to hook it to your keys and the card point which has the same size as a credit card but is a little thicker it will still fit well in most wallets though both trackers use Bluetooth are Splash resistant and have a loud siren to help you find them the round one has a user replaceable coin cell battery but the card doesn't chipolo offers you a 50% discount those to buy a new card when the battery dies peble be on the other hand has three different models and all come in Black there's a round clip with a keyhole and a card both of them similar to chip Poo's one and card but these are a bit thicker plus pebblebee is making a third mini Tag that you can stick to small items like remote controls for example all of these have rechargeable batteries via USBC cable which is more sustainable than Chip's approach they're also rated at a higher ipx6 water resistant and not Splash resistant and they have bright LED lights to help you find them in the dark on paper I got to say I'm more intrigued by by Pebble be's tracker features but I'm a little bit worried about their extra thickness you might be watching this and thinking hey uh I already have Bluetooth trackers that work with my Android phone so what's new here and the thing is yes those trackers existed but they basically only worked with their own app and their own network this is the case with tiles and Samsung stackers for example the Samsung Galaxy smart TCH 2 only works with Samsung phones and only uses other Samsung phones to find your lost items that's a little bit limited the new tags from chipolo and pebblebee are built around Google's new find my device Network which will work across all of Android not one specific brand and not one specific app so pixel phone Samsung Motorola nothing xiaomi and more all of these phones are compatible and all of them can be used as the backbone of the network this new Android f m device Network also works pretty much like Apple's find M Network it is endtoend encrypted and crowdsources a billion Android phones around the whole world it uses them as a private and secure nodes to help you find your lost tracker that's a GameChanger because Android has a much higher penetration rate than Apple worldwide so Google's Network should technically be stronger and spread wider than Apple's find M especially in areas where iPhones are Rarity so say I'm traveling and my luggage gets sent to Peru while I'm landing in Beirut I can still know the location of my suitcase as long as an Android phone is near it most notably the phone needs to have bluetooth enabled at all times because the network relies on it Android phones might even get a new setting that auto turns Bluetooth on the next day after you turn it off so you never leave the network for more than 24 hours this is all opt in though so if you prefer to keep everything disabled and not participate in the network you can do that if you buy one of these trackers that work with Androids fine my device Network you should expect it to have the same features regardless of who's making it you won't need a separate app for each brand of trackers so pebblebee chipolo and later Geo and Motorola's trackers will all show up in Google's find my device app a new tracker will first pop up as a fast pair notification similar to what you get for Bluetooth earbuds to let you link it to your Google account you can give it a name and an icon and then you can find it when it's nearby by ringing it or track it when it's far away if it's been located by another an phone and the network there's also a Nifty option where lost trackers around your home will alert you if they are near Nest speakers so you know exactly where to look for them instead of rumaging through the whole house you can also check the tracker's battery status and share it with a partner or friend to let them keep an eye on shared items like car keys or house keys for example one very crucial feature of these trackers is that both chipolo and pebblebee and any future product under Google's find my device network will will trigger unknown tracker alert notifications on both Android phones and iPhones when Apple Air tags first launched some people started using them for nefarious purposes after a few years and many many complaints Apple built unknown tracker alerts to notify people if an air tag that doesn't belong to them and was dissociated from its owner's phone was following them around but now that Google has its own network the two companies had to work together to create a single spec that both of them adhere to that way your iPhone can also detect an unknown Google tracker if it's following you and your Android phone can also notify you if an air tag is tracking you it's been months since Google filled its own end of the bargain and rolled out unknown tracker alerts for Apple Air tags on Android phones but we've been waiting for a year for Apple to bring the opposite feature in iOS this is why Android's air tag Alternatives have been delayed this long with iOS 17.5 which is supposed to launch in a few weeks iPhones will be able to notify you of stocking Android trackers and that's why chipolo and pebblebee are finally able to launch their trackers now Chip Poo's two trackers will be available starting May 27 on chip. net and from July onwards on Amazon and other stores the round one point costs $28 the card point is $35 and there are discounted multipacks plus you'll be able to buy a bundle with two round ones and one card for $77 total Pebble be on the other hand says it's St ERS will be available in late May on pebblebee.com and starting June on the Google Store all three models cost the same $29.99 for a single unit with a small discount if you buy them in packs personally I'm very excited to try these out I travel a lot and I'm a forgetful person so a lost and found system that works across all of Android is perfect for me we will be getting both the chipot and Pebble be trackers in for review in late May so don't forget to subscribe to Android authority if you want to see how well they work and if they're as good as Apple's air tag and Samsung's smart tag too\n"
