Google Find My Device network now released

Forums › Android › Google Find My Device network now released - compatible tags released

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#3244630 5-Jun-2024 09:44

freitasm:
Also, the Google Find My Device network is instantly larger than Chipolo, Tile and Samsung closed ones that require an app or a specific OEM.

Yep - this is the primary reason why we’re planning on transitioning from Tiles, and the only reason why I stuck Air Tags on our e-bikes. While almost of our use of Tiles is within the home environment (where did I leave my #$%#$#% earbuds?!), the relatively narrow pool of users has always made me think I wouldn’t want to rely on it for finding things out there in the wider world…

freitasm

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#3244638 5-Jun-2024 10:23

The Samsung network is not bad, and due to the large number of Samsung-branded devices around, I've seen my two Samsung SmartTags being updated in the city.

But getting Android native tracking is a huge jump, expanding the pool considerably. I will keep my Samsung SmartTags but will slowly change them. I received a 20% discount code in the box with my first Chipolo pack, so I will use it later this year to replace the older models I have here (2x Chipolo and 2x Samsung SmartTags).

lchiu7

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#3246397 9-Jun-2024 08:37

Just got information that my Pebbebee trackers have been shipped and are arriving next week. I can't wait to try them out.

I got a 4 pack of these

https://pebblebee.com/products/tag-for-android

kiwibum

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#3248564 13-Jun-2024 20:51

So for use in NZ, is either Pebblebee or Chipolo any better? And is there any advantage over the rechargable battery Pebblebee to the replaceable battery Chippolo?

Which one is most waterproof? Just realised I probably won't be able to leave my keys with the van when I go surfing or kayaking if I have a tag on them and will need to take them with me.

I need to get these tracker tags, I've lost my car keys twice in the last 6 months, must be getting old, I've never lost a key in the previous 50 years!

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#3248673 13-Jun-2024 23:34

They both work with the same background network. It will be your preference for a replaceable or rechargeable, really.

lchiu7

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#3248980 14-Jun-2024 15:24

freitasm:

They both work with the same background network. It will be your preference for a replaceable or rechargeable, really.

This review isn't the most encouraging

https://www.androidpolice.com/pebblebee-tag-android-review/

Perhaps because he's in the US where there are more iPhones than Android devices?

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#3248987 14-Jun-2024 15:44

Watching this with interest. Currently have a pair of Samsung smart tag 2's, and may upgrade for the larger google network.

lchiu7:

freitasm:

They both work with the same background network. It will be your preference for a replaceable or rechargeable, really.

This review isn't the most encouraging

https://www.androidpolice.com/pebblebee-tag-android-review/

Perhaps because he's in the US where there are more iPhones than Android devices?

Sounds like the review was done before the network wend live due to delays at Google's end.

But the stuff about aggregation doesn't sound great. If google want this to work well the default setting needs to provide the best data.

Should note that apple has much better penetration of ultrawideband (all iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and iPhone 15 models) vs Android (generally only very high end devices. as an example the samsung S24+ & ultra have it, where the S24 does not). meaning that the data will be a little lower quality out of the android network even with like for like implementation.

"This review was published with the understanding that Google's Find My Device network was to be rolled out to all users in the United States by May 31, but that turned out not to be the case. Reached for comment about the Find My Device network's rollout status and performance on June 10, a Google spokesperson gave Android Police the following statement:

"‘Aggregation by default’ is one of our main safety protections that is working as intended. It's a key default safety differentiator for us compared to other finding networks. Google’s Find My Device prioritizes your safety with multi-layered protections , which may occasionally affect Bluetooth tracker finding. In order for your device to have the ability to locate lost devices in low-traffic areas without ‘aggregation by default’, set your Find My Device network setting to “with network in all areas” . Find My Device network efficacy will continue to improve as users are enrolled in the network and opt-in to the "with network in all areas" setting. As the new Find My Device network continues to grow, we will be continually enhancing it to balance the user experience with a commitment to safety."

The following is an accurate representation of my experience using the Pebblebee Tag for Android in early June, with Find My Device set to "with network in all areas.""

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lchiu7

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#3250138 17-Jun-2024 19:42

Well my Pebblebee devices arrived today. I connected one to the Google Find My Device network and it seems to work but since I am home it's hard to assess how good it is. I will have to do some experimenting. It's pretty small land comes with a small cable with a proprietary connector at one end which sticks to the device magnetically and the other side is a USB-C male.

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#3250193 17-Jun-2024 21:20

Where did you order your Pebblebee devices from? Still waiting for mine to ship. :(

lchiu7

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#3250198 17-Jun-2024 21:24

KiwiSurfer:

Where did you order your Pebblebee devices from? Still waiting for mine to ship. :(

From Pebblebee's web site 13 months ago :-( Talk about bait and switch. Ordered them and then they said they could not ship until the Google Find My Device network was rolled out and that required agreements with Apple on agreeing to a common standard. That took 13 months and once agreed as an earlier orderer mine was shipped out about 10 days ago.

KiwiSurfer

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#3250314 18-Jun-2024 10:07

Aaah I only ordered mine 9th April (so 2 months ago) so I guess they're shipping in sequence of who ordered first. I knew at the time of the order they wouldn't ship until the network was ready but I feel for you if this wasn't made clear to you. 13 months is a long time to wait! Let us know how it goes please. :)

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#3250319 18-Jun-2024 10:42

It wasn't quite a bait-and-switch; the Chipolo was announced, and pre-orders were taken at that time, too.

Google was ready to go, but they decided to wait for Apple. It seems Apple didn't want to rush, so the process took almost a year.

Google asked the manufacturers to hold until the Unknown Trackers RFC was published, approved and in effect, which is now.

I ordered the Chipolo back then and waited almost a year, too. It could be that Chipolo was quicker to start shipping (or I was at the very front of the line) because I got mine two weeks before @lchiu7's pebblebee.

lchiu7

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#3250376 18-Jun-2024 12:42

Well I didn't think I had to wait 13 months.

Only limited experience with them so far but the installation was pretty easy. I just double clicked the device and when I fired up the Find My Device service it found the device and connected to it.

I had a small problem this morning. A tracker was right next to me and while the app said it was near, the map showed it was near my house and constantly spinning. Then I left it at my office and went out for a walk and it still said it was near my house and remained spinning. I terminate the app and restarted it and now it instantly showed me the device was at my office location.

I do like the rechargeable battery feature - having to replace batteries in my wife's Air Tags is a pain.

KiwiSurfer

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#3250411 18-Jun-2024 14:02

The rechargeable battery feature is pretty much the reason I went with Pebblebee over the Google Find My Device alternatives. I had previously used Tile but these weren't rechargeable so wasn't keen on buying a replacement every 1-2 years. Seemed silly to me buying something knowing it'd be sent to landfill within 1-2 years.

richms

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#3250432 18-Jun-2024 15:46

Have any of these been made that are wirelessly recharged yet? So they can be totally sealed and waterproof?

Has anyone tried tracking one not on them to see how they go yet?

Whats the google network like, its accuracy etc? I am rapidly getting annoyed at my tiles and no updates as it seems all the apple users abandoned tile for apple.

Richard rich.ms

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