April 8, 2024 at 02:55PM
Google is rolling out an upgraded Find My Device network for Android devices in the US and Canada. Users with Android 9 or later can locate phones and tablets, even when offline or with dead batteries. The network uses Bluetooth proximity and will soon support tracking other items. It prioritizes user security and privacy.
From the meeting notes, several key points can be extracted:
1. Google is rolling out an upgraded Find My Device network to Android devices in the United States and Canada, allowing users to locate their phones and tablets, even when offline or with dead batteries.
2. The upgraded network utilizes Bluetooth proximity of over one billion active Android devices to help locate lost phones and tablets and will soon support tracking other items with compatible Chipolo or Pebblebee Bluetooth tracker tags.
3. Android devices participating in the network report the location of the Bluetooth tag, which can be viewed in the Find My Device mobile app.
4. Google has implemented privacy and safety measures to protect users’ security and privacy, including end-to-end encryption of location data and measures to prevent unwanted tracking back to a home or private location.
5. The new tracking network will also allow Android users to share trackable devices with their friends and family, and upcoming software updates will make headphones from certain vendors trackable via Find My Device.
6. Google has added the Find My Device network to the Android security vulnerability rewards program and is working with select security researchers to further encourage targeted research.