An anonymous reader cites a report from Ars Technica. Will Google ever launch its “Find My” network? The Android ecosystem should have had its own version of Apple's AirTags by now. Google has kept its crowdsourced device tracking network dormant on his 3 billion Android smartphones since December 2022. Partners are preparing to deploy Bluetooth tag hardware starting in May 2023. This was all supposed to start a year ago, but Google is stuck in a holding pattern. The good news is that after a year of silence, progress is finally being made. The reason for Google's significant delay is actually Apple. A week before Google's partners unveil Bluetooth tags for Android networks, Google and Apple are working together to detect “unknown” Bluetooth trackers and alert users if they think their phone is being stalked. announced a standard for display. Since you can always see your AirTag's location, you can use it for stalking by simply slipping it into your bag or car. Nobody wants that, so everyone's favorite mobile duopoly is teaming up.
Google executed half of this partnership, deploying AirTag detection in July 2023. At the same time, Google also announced: “We have decided to hold off on deploying the Find My Device network until Apple implements protections for iOS.” Indeed, Apple wants to bring tag detection to iOS and Android as soon as possible so that Google can compete with AirTags. You'll be burning the midnight oil to get started. iOS 17.5 seems to be the magical version Google has been waiting for. The first beta was recently released to testers, and 9to5Mac recently discovered a string to detect “unwanted” non-Apple tracking devices that suddenly follow you. This 17.5 update still needs to be released and is expected to be released sometime in May. That comes 11 months after Google's release. […]
With the release of iOS just around the corner, Google seems to be picking up ducks as well. 9to5Google has shared a screenshot of the new “Find My Device” settings page that appears to some users. This page gives you the opportunity to opt out of anonymous tracking networks. The report also states that some users received an email on Thursday informing them of the impending launch of the tracking network, stating that “If this feature is turned on within three days, you will receive a notification on your Android device. Until then, you can opt out of this feature.'' Access your network through Find My Device on the web. ” However, the majority of Android users did not receive this email, so it was probably a mistake. It's very strange to announce a release with “number of days left” instead of simply saying the date something will be released, and this email was sent on a Thursday, so it's a Sunday when everyone has the weekend off. There will be some strange releases.
