Google's Find My Device app is poised for significant enhancements, according to recent code discoveries. The upcoming updates promise to bring the service closer to par with Apple's Find My network, while potentially surpassing it in some areas.
UWB Integration: Precision Tracking Comes to Android
An APK teardown of Find My Device v3.1.078-1 reveals multiple references to Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology. This suggests Google is actively working to incorporate UWB support, a feature that could dramatically improve the precision of device tracking, especially indoors.
Key points:
- UWB technology enables high-precision location tracking
- Similar to Apple's implementation in AirTags and recent iPhones
- Could pave the way for Android-compatible item trackers
AR-Enhanced Location: A Visual Edge
In addition to UWB, the code analysis uncovered mentions of ARCore integration. While the exact implementation remains unclear, this could lead to an augmented reality (AR) interface for locating nearby devices.
Potential AR features:
- Camera overlay with directional guidance
- Visual indicators to pinpoint device location
- Similar to Samsung's SmartTag 2, but potentially more widely accessible
Family Device Tracking: A Welcome Addition
A separate update (v3.1.078-1) brings the ability to track supervised and family devices directly within the Find My Device app. This feature was previously limited to the Family Link app.
New functionality:
- Locate family devices alongside personal ones
- Separate views for supervised/family devices
- Currently unable to mark family devices as lost (may change in future updates)
The Road Ahead
While these features are not yet live, their presence in the code suggests Google is committed to enhancing Find My Device's capabilities. The combination of UWB precision and AR visualization could give Android a competitive edge in the device tracking space.
It's important to note that the development of these features doesn't guarantee their release. However, they represent a promising direction for Google's Find My Device network, potentially offering users more powerful and intuitive ways to locate their lost devices and items.
Update: Wednesday June 26 21:05
Google is implementing several additional features to enhance Find My Device functionality. Users will soon be able to remotely lock their Android devices using just their phone number and a quick security challenge, eliminating the need for Google credentials. Biometric login is being introduced for devices running Android 10 and above, allowing fingerprint or face unlock for the app. Google is also working on network improvements to boost speed and accuracy in locating lost items. Users can optimize tracker performance by adjusting settings to "With network in all areas" in the Find My Device section. Supported trackers will automatically activate the network on phones during setup, even without a notification about its availability.