Google Finally Launches ‘Find My Device’ Network For Androids
Google has started launching its new Find My Device Network. It lets Android users keep track of and find lost devices. It’s currently available in the United States and Canada. According to multiple reports, the company will soon have it available globally.
According to 9To5Google, this crowdsourced Find My Device Network will use over a billion Android 9+ devices to find your lost device. It was first announced at Google I/O 2023 but it missed the original summer launch target.
What makes the Find My Device Network for Androids so different?
TechCrunch reported that the Find My Device app previously required your lost phone to have an internet connection. This new app works even if the phone is offline by leveraging Bluetooth.
The Pixel 8 and 8 Pro can be found even “if they’re powered off or the battery is dead.” Google credits “specialized Pixel hardware” while it’s working with other Android OEMs and chipmakers to expand this capability to premium devices.
Also reported by TechCrunch, Starting in May, Android users will be able to locate everyday items like their keys or wallet. Additionally, Google is integrating Bluetooth tracker tags from Chipolo and Pebblebee in the Find My Device app. These tags will be built specifically for the Find My Device network and will be “compatible with unknown tracker alerts across Android and iOS to help protect users from unwanted tracking,” said Google.
“Find My Device is secure by default and private by design,” Google’s VP of Engineering, Erik Kay, said in a blog post. “Multi-layered protections built into the Find My Device network help keep you safe and your personal information private, while keeping you in control of the devices connected to the Find My Device network. This includes end-to-end encryption of location data as well as aggregated device location reporting, a first-of-its-kind safety feature that provides additional protection against unwanted tracking back to a home or private location.”
People’s Thoughts
Many people took to Reddit to share their excitement about the new Find My Device Network for Android users. “Finally. Hopefully some good options for tags. I need quite a few,” one person said. Someone asked if AirTags would be compatible with this device. The answer is no but wouldn’t that be nice? Another person responded to the question saying, “Apple will do everything in their power to ensure AirTags won’t be compatible.” One person seemed a bit skeptical writing, “So now Google will know where I am even when I explicitly turn my phone off.”
Learn more about Find My Device-compatible devices and all the ways the Find My Device network can help you find a lost device or item here Google stated that software updates are coming to headphones from JBL, Sony, and others, which will join the Find My Device network soon.
Vintage Gadgets: Outdated Tech That Still Sparks Joy
A Physical Calculator
You probably haven’t seen a calculator in ages, but a Reddit user chimed in to say that, for them, the old-school scientific calculator beats the one on your phone or any app. They simply put it like this, “Honestly, a standard scientific calculator is just easier to use than your phone’s built-in scientific calculator.” It could be the fun button-tapping sound or the nostalgic thrill of typing in cheeky words with numbers that makes this person prefer calculators.
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Watches That Only Tell The Time
Smartwatches may pack in loads of features, but there’s a catch – they need regular charging and maintenance, and their battery life is shorter. On the flip side, traditional watches are a low-maintenance choice with longer battery life. In fact, a Redditor mentioned they still rock a “a lovely, inexpensive, bombproof, analog, big face Casio.” They also pointed out that smartwatches aren’t allowed at their job, so their trusty Casio gets the job done.
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CD Player, MP3 Player, and Vinyl Albums
If you’ve put a ton of effort into collecting CDs and vinyl records, and creating some killer playlists, why ditch them, right? One person told their story about growing up in the ’90s, building a massive CD collection, and stashing them all in one of those Case Logic CD binders. They fondly shared, “I still keep it with me in my car and it’s a wonderful trip down memory lane every time I open it. I laughed and cried a little when my kids friend asked me what it was and I said, ‘CDs’ and they followed up with, ‘What’s that?'” But also: not everything is available on streaming services. That obscure soundtrack or tribute album from the ’80s? Licensing issues may have prevented it from hitting the streamers. Love Joni Mitchell? Well, Spotify doesn’t have her catalog. Sure, you can subscribe to another service, but if you kept your old vinyl and have a turntable, you can listen to it the old school way.
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"I Love Wires"
You have people who can’t stand a tangle of wires in their tech setup, and then there’s that Reddit user who’s all about the wired life. They firmly believe that wired networking is “not obsolete or outdated.” According to them, it’s superior in every aspect, except for the mobility it lacks compared to wireless. They put it simply, “Wired is the ideal, you only go wireless if running cable is unfeasible for the situation.
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A Regular Doorbell
A regular doorbell does its job well. It lets you know someone’s at the door. On the other hand, a video doorbell does the same but with the perk of letting you see and hear the person at your door, even if you’re not home. Someone mentioned they’d be up for a smart doorbell if it kept the data local. They said, “I don’t want anything being sent online, so I might need to set up my own system… I’ll just stick with the traditional kind.”
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Physical Buttons
A Redditor shared their affection for good old physical buttons, arguing that not everything needs to go the touchscreen route. They stressed the importance of having car radios equipped with buttons rather than screens, believing it’s a safer choice. They explained, “It’s easier for me to push a button to change the music while keeping my eyes on the road/ I can’t do that if my car has a screen. It increases distracted driving incidents.”
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