Google Reportedly Working On 'Grogu' Tracker To Compete With Apple's AirTags (9to5google.com) 40
According to new research, Google is working on a new Bluetooth tracker device to compete with Apple's AirTags. 9to5Google reports: Since 2021, Google has included ultra-wideband (UWB) connectivity in its high-end "Pro" phones like the Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 7 Pro. For now, the hardware has only been used for niche cases like unlocking a luxury car or sending files to a friend, but it's been clear that Google intends for UWB to be used more often. [...] To build up its own "Finder Network," compete with Apple AirTags, and potentially make UWB more useful on Pixel phones, Google is reportedly developing its own tracking accessory. The information comes courtesy of Android researcher and frequent Pixel leaker Kuba Wojciechowski.
The tracker is said to be in development under the codename "Grogu" -- a reference to the popular Star Wars series "The Mandalorian" -- alongside the alternate names "GR10" and "Groguaudio." The only other tidbits that have been uncovered so far suggest that the Nest team is seemingly taking lead on the development and that the tracker may be available in multiple colors. The "Groguaudio" codename suggests that Google's tracker would potentially come equipped with a speaker. On Apple's AirTags, a built-in speaker serves as both a privacy measure and a location aid, as if you move someone else's AirTag after it's been separated from them, it will beep. This is just one of many potential privacy issues that Google will need to work through before launching a tracker accessory like this one.
The tracker is said to be in development under the codename "Grogu" -- a reference to the popular Star Wars series "The Mandalorian" -- alongside the alternate names "GR10" and "Groguaudio." The only other tidbits that have been uncovered so far suggest that the Nest team is seemingly taking lead on the development and that the tracker may be available in multiple colors. The "Groguaudio" codename suggests that Google's tracker would potentially come equipped with a speaker. On Apple's AirTags, a built-in speaker serves as both a privacy measure and a location aid, as if you move someone else's AirTag after it's been separated from them, it will beep. This is just one of many potential privacy issues that Google will need to work through before launching a tracker accessory like this one.
Late to the party (Score:2)
As usual, even Samsung has their own thing going already.
Re: (Score:1)
As usual, even Samsung has their own thing going already.
Meanwhile, Tile the Elder is standing there wondering how everyone managed to forget they've been doing this for a long time now...
Question (Score:2)
Re:Question (Score:4, Informative)
They do not. The ihones "see" all the tags around it, but only display those registered to that icloud account. They do relay the info of all the tags it sees to Apple, this is how the system works.
I use airtags myself. chuck 'em in the bag, they work right through the polycarb material (i'm presuming polycarb. If fabric, even less of a challenge) I don't have fancy metal luggage, which may present a problem. Or not. I put one in the car when I either leave on a trip, or take it to the mechanic. It works even through the metal and glass.
I have a tag on my backpack, too. When I leave it home and look, it gets hits from neighbor's phones -- and these are concrete houses.
The way it works is their iphones "see" there's an airtag -- but doesn't display it anywhere. Instead, it relays the tag's ID to the mothership, who knows the phone that tag's registered at.
This is why the whole "privacy" thing is overblown, imo -- if you find a tag that's stalking you your phone will tell you. And from there you can get the tag's serial #... and from that, LEOs can get that serial's icloud account.. which would lead them to the perp. In theory.
Every iphone sees every airtag in range -- unless an iphone user decides to opt-out of the network. It's on by default.
If you find a tag (or a lost tagged thing) hold your phoen to it, and options should appear. Contact the owner, etc.
TL;DR - iphoens sees everyone's tags, but display only your own, no one else's.
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> should be seen as exploitive and creepy.
Are they telling people to shove them up their asses now?
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This is why the whole "privacy" thing is overblown, imo -- if you find a tag that's stalking you your phone will tell you.
Phones other than Apple brand do not report Apple tag stalking in their default configuration. This is the privacy problem. Apple created a problem to non-Apple users. Many people who could be victim might own a non-Apple device (to the knowledge of the stalker), might not be technically competent to know how to detect stalking, might not activate bluetooth on their device to save battery, might not be expecting to be stalked, or might be older people without a smartphone.
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...This is why the whole "privacy" thing is overblown, imo...
I see. You don't think the fact that Tile has been doing this for damn near a decade now has anything to do with it?
Kills me that we're sitting around talking about reinventing the bluetooth tracker "wheel" yet again, while pretending no one has ever head of it.
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The problem with AirTags is that unless you have an iPhone they are unlikely to be detected if someone plants on one you or your property. They are excellent for stalking.
Maybe if Google's system can detect AirTags too this might be resolved eventually. Highly irresponsible of Apple to release them before then though. They should have made sure Android phones can detect them automatically first. The Apple app is a joke.
I recently took a long flight and brought along an app that can detect AirTags. I used it
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Love that you triggered all of the AirTags to play a sound. Great trick.
Yes, Apple should have worked with Android to make sure it could track AirTags to prevent stalking but of course... walled garden, etc.
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The privacy thing gets to be more complex when you use a non-apple 'tag' app. It'll show you all the tags, registered to you or not, Apple or not. It's the ones not registered to you that you should be careful about (obvs).
FWIW, I just bought 4 "key finder" tags (ie. generic chinese) and stuck them to my wheelie bins. A bit of Python and some Openhab later, and I get alerts when it's time to put them out for collection. In the process of doing that, I learned a lot about Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and just
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Honest question: Say you have an Apple AirTag on your suitcase and it gets lost. Can other people see your suitcase on their phones? That would make be pretty nervous. If it's worth putting an AirTag on then it's worth taking and getting rid of the AirTag.
No.
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Honest question: Say you have an Apple AirTag on your suitcase and it gets lost. Can other people see your suitcase on their phones?
No, they can see your tag is nearby, though. There are apps for both iOS and Android to see all the tags in the vicinity and their IDs, to determine whether someone else is using one to stalk you.
âoeGroguâ is a great name (Score:1)
Re: âoeGroguâ is a great name (Score:2)
Re: âoeGroguâ is a great name (Score:1)
What's a Grogu or an AirTag? (Score:3)
It's a device you own that you can sneakily locate and track.
As opposed to a device you own that only Google or Apple can sneakily locate and track, called a cellphone.
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> only Google or Apple can sneakily locate and track
Hardly. You forgot about the biggest corporate offenders of all when it cones to spying on you: The telecom providers themselves. And where you assume that Apple and Google are spying on their users... and maybe they are, maybe they aren't... the carriers undeniably ARE tracking you (Phones wouldn't work otherwise, as the carrier needs to know what cell to direct the call/text/data to.). And it's documented history and fact that not only do they spy
Fun Fun next must have device is (Score:2)
The British Navy (Score:2)
The British Navy used to grog you, but now they don't.
What a terrible name. It's like they already had too much. And...
What do you do with a drunken sailor
What do you do with a drunken sailor
What do you do with a drunken sailor er-lye in the morning...?
Re: The British Navy (Score:1)
Re: (Score:1)
What a terrible name...
You're talking to the company that named themselves after a huge number.
Par for the course.
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I thought they were going to name it G-Spot !
Re-inventing the wheel (Score:2)
Re: Re-inventing the wheel (Score:2)
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It would be nice if Google, Samsung, Apple, and Tile worked on a common communication protocol to allow their trackers to communicate with each other. It would improve everyone's ability to find missing items, but I can't see them being able to cooperate on a standard.
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It would be nice if Google, Samsung, Apple, and Tile worked on a common communication protocol to allow their trackers to communicate with each other. It would improve everyone's ability to find missing items, but I can't see them being able to cooperate on a standard.
+1. The dipshittery of the current ecosystem lock-in is actively harmful to consumers.
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It would be nice if Google, Samsung, Apple, and Tile worked on a common communication protocol to allow their trackers to communicate with each other. It would improve everyone's ability to find missing items, but I can't see them being able to cooperate on a standard.
Gee, sure would be nice if they could all work on a common communication protocol.
You know, something that all hardware devices can understand.
Maybe one day when we invent it we'll call it something cool. Like "bluetooth".
Find My...?? (Score:2)
Google relies 90% or more on advertising for its revenue, their whole existence demands they know more and more about you and where you are at every moment.
The only company that is worse is probably Facebook.
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They already have your location because you own an Android phone. This will bring them very little more data.
Android Location Services (Score:2)
Theoretically, Google has high-resolution location info on you only if you leave Location Services on. I assume you can control this on Android - I know you can do so on iOS, and I turn it off.
Any bets that the Grogu service will at least strongly encourage you to leave Location Services on? Or maybe require it to be on?
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If Grogu is anything like the Apple AirTag, the whole point is to know where it is, so tracking (of the Grogu) is on by design.
What's that on the horizon? (Score:2)
A lawsuit?
Producr life time? (Score:2)
Anyone built an indoor tracker using Airtags? (Score:2)
uhuzomarr (Score:1)