Apple’s AirTags may be the most well-known Bluetooth trackers in the world, but they may soon be joined by some Google competitors that connect to a massive Android equivalent of Apple’s ‘Find My’ network. If that happens, it could be an incredibly powerful new way for Android fans to find misplaced items.
Google’s rumoured AirTag competitor, codenamed Grogu in a nod to fans of The Mandalorian, is expected to be announced at Google I/O 2023, which begins on May 10. While the trackers may not be available for purchase for some time, Android users may soon see competitors to the Tile Pro and Samsung Galaxy SmartTag Plus, as well as a global object-finding network.
Despite these concerns, there is evidence that Google has been laying the groundwork for its own AirTag competitor as well as an equivalent of Apple’s ‘Find My’ system. The advantage of these systems (and the source of their controversy) is that they can detect misplaced items by using nearby phones, even if your misplaced valuable is offline. If it makes its way to billions of Android devices, possibly as part of Android 14, it could be a huge feature that elevates Bluetooth trackers to new heights.