Kate Mills
Apr 12, 2024
Alphabet-owned Google is planning to launch its new Find My Device (FMD) network in the United States and Canada for Android users.
In the first phase, the feature will first locate lost Android phones and tablets, and later headphones will also be added. Report suggest that it has been confirmed that third-party Find My Device Bluetooth tags will roll out in May.
This crowdsourced FMD network will utilise over a billion Android 9+ smartphones to locate user’s misplaced belongings. It was initially revealed at Google I/O 2023. However, it fell short of the anticipated summer date.
The Find My Device app doesn't require an internet connection — neither cellular nor Wi-Fi — to locate a user’s misplaced phone. This innovative product uses Bluetooth to function even when the user is not connected.
The Pixel 8 and 8 Pro can be found even "if they're powered off or the battery is dead." Google will use "specialised Pixel hardware," and is collaborating with other Android OEMs and chipmakers to bring this functionality to premium handsets.
Whereas, Bluetooth tracker tags will be available in May, coinciding with the release of iOS 17.5 and unknown tracker warnings. Chipolo and Pebblebee will launch Find My Device (FMD) devices next month, while "eufy, Jio, Motorola, and more" are slated to sell accessories later.
Users can also expect JBL, Sony, and others to update their devices to support the Find My Device network. Google has nothing to say regarding Wear OS wearable having this feature.
All of this is available through the Find My Device app, which displays a list of your devices. It will take time to connect with Google employing a Material You shape that "fills as you get closer to the device."
