About a year ago, Google introduced its Find My Device network, enhancing security with features like encrypted location sharing and alerts for unknown trackers. However, it has so far lacked a critical capability that allows for precise tracking of objects, a feature already available in Apple’s competing Find My network.
That could change soon. In a discussion with The Verge, Angela Hsiao from Google suggested that an announcement concerning UWB integration within the Find My Device ecosystem is on the horizon.
“For what it’s worth,” Hsiao stated, “Google will have more to share on that very soon.” Although there have been previous hints about Google preparing UWB support, it’s reassuring to hear it directly from a company executive.
Why Does It Matter?
Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology enables high-precision location tracking using pulse-based communication over a wide frequency range. This short-range wireless protocol offers significantly better accuracy compared to Bluetooth-based tracking. UWB chips are also energy-efficient and work effectively indoors. Since the iPhone 11 series, Apple has integrated a UWB chip into all of its flagship smartphones and its AirTag trackers.
UWB technology powers a feature named Find Nearby in Apple’s Find My system, allowing users to locate misplaced items nearby. With UWB signals, your iPhone can provide accurate distance estimations and directional cues on the screen when searching for an item.
With the introduction of the iPhone 15, which featured an advanced UWB chip, Apple launched a Precision Finding function that can also guide users to locate friends through directional arrows. It appears that Android and Google’s connected ecosystem are poised to adopt UWB tracking capabilities later this year.
The Path Ahead Is Ready
In mid-2024, code analysts uncovered references to UWB support in Google’s Find My Device app. Additional hints about its directional tracking capabilities were found a few months later in the application’s code. Recently, Android Authority reported further insights regarding UWB-powered precision tracking in Google’s app, complemented by detailed documentation on Ultra Wideband communication in Google’s Android developer resources. This indicates strong potential developments ahead.
UWB operates on a bidirectional principle, meaning both object trackers like the Moto Tag and smartphones must be equipped with the technology. Not all smartphones are currently outfitted with UWB; for example, Google’s Pixel 9 does not include it.
This is expected to change, particularly for flagship devices, thanks to Qualcomm’s latest chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, which integrates Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and UWB functionality. Manufacturers will no longer need to invest in separate UWB chips, but the decision to activate UWB features in devices powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite will ultimately be theirs.
The upcoming Google I/O developer conference is anticipated to provide more information on future enhancements for Find My Device and regarding UWB advancements.
