Google leaks level to the Android maker engaged on an Apple AirTags competitor, information of which may point out a broader effort to compete with Apple’s Discover My community.
The product, which is reportedly code named “grogu” after the The Mandalorian character, will allegedly provide most of the options of AirTags, like Bluetooth Low Vitality (BLE) and Extremely Extensive Band (UWB), and can sport an onboard speaker, leaker Kuba Wojciechowski said on Twitter.
The grogu tags, which Wojciechowski claimed are additionally being known as “groguaudio” and “GR10,” are reportedly being developed by the Nest workforce, although Wojciechowski mentioned that does not imply they will launch as a Nest product.
Wojciechowski, who has previously leaked information about Google Pixel gadget cameras, mentioned that references to grogu had been found alongside the invention of locator tags coming to Google’s Fast Pair BLE pairing protocol.
UWB is a most well-liked know-how for finding objects due to its enhanced precision over BLE, and has already been in smartphones (together with Google’s) since 2019. Apple has included UWB in its iPhones because the 11 collection, and the know-how can be utilized in AirTags.
Wojciechowski famous that Pixel 6 Professional and seven Professional gadgets embrace UWB help, however that the modules have not been used till now. Google is reportedly bringing UWB to a few of its different gadgets, like Nest dwelling audio system. Trackers, particularly in the event that they’re being developed by the Nest workforce alongside different UWB initiatives, would additionally point out Google plans extra use of the locator tech sooner or later.
UWB is not required, although. “Although Google’s tracker more than likely has UWB, it is not a requirement for the ‘Finder Community’ they’re engaged on – BLE is sufficient,” Wojciechowski mentioned.
Extra location knowledge for the Googleverse
Apple’s Discover My community and its AirTag trackers have been undeniably profitable – generally even working too well. AirTags have been accessories to murder, used by stalkers to trace victims, and reportedly had security options that had been easily bypassed.
Clearly, Google cannot let Apple have all that data for itself.
Together with the grogu leak, Google’s system patch notes from December indicated that Google’s personal Discover My Machine community, thus far restricted compared to Apple’s Discover My community, “now helps encrypted last-known-location experiences for Android gadgets, utilizing a brand new privateness centric framework.”
That, Google watchers say, may point out a wider Discover My Machine community rollout that might perform like Apple’s Discover My, enabling Android gadgets to select up alerts broadcast through UWB and BLE to trace lacking gadgets.
As for when grogu tags may seem in the marketplace, Wojciechowski does not have any details about that. “If I needed to guess I might say Google’s gonna announce the know-how at Google I/O after which launch it on the annual fall occasion, alongside new Google Pixel gadgets,” Wojciechowski mentioned.
We have requested Google for remark. ®
