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Google working on ‘Grogu’ tracker system to take on Apple AirTag
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Google is seemingly working on its own Bluetooth tag tracker system to rival Apple’s AirTag, and it’s codenamed ‘Grogu’.
Back in March 2022 we reported on the discovery that Google was baking support for Bluetooth trackers directly into Android. This seemed to be the Android team making up ground on Apple’s iOS, which stole a march with its own AirTag ecosystem.
Now a couple of intrepid code-divers have dug up more evidence that Google is pushing forward with its own AirTag Bluetooth tracker system.
First, Mishaal Rahmantweetedthe news that Google’s Fast Pair is preparing to add support for a new “locator tag” product. Then, developer (and reliable source of code-based tips) Kuba Wojciechowski located what that locator tag will likely be.
Google is working on a smart tracker similar to Apple’s AirTag, codename “grogu” – report 🧵👇pic.twitter.com/8K6KO7tfzj
Google’s AirTag-a-like is very much on the cards, it seems, and is being referred to as project Grogu by the Nest development team. In case you needed bringing up to speed, this is the name of the ‘Baby Yoda’ character in The Mandalorian, Disney Plus’s hit show set in the Star Wars universe.
Apparently, this first party Bluetooth tracker features a built-in speaker, just like Apple’s AirTag. It’ll come in multiple colour options, which we’ve come to expect of Google’s accessories.
In terms of connectivity, Google’s Grogu tracker will support UWB and Bluetooth Low Energy. Ultra-wideband (UWB) is a type of technology that allows for fast, short-range exchanges of information and very precise ranging. As the source points out, while the Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 7 Pro support the standard, it hasn’t actually been used for anything yet.
While UWB is supported, however, it won’t be a necessity. This could help with wider adoption across the Android market, which appears to be Google’s intention. Apparently, it’s working with multiple chip makers to incorporate support for its new Fast Pair technology, which would enable Android brands to produce their own Grogu trackers.
There’s no time frame on Google’s AirTag tracker rival to appear, but Wojciechowski’s guess is that it’ll be announced at Google I/O in the middle of 2023, then launched alongside thePixel 8towards the end of the year.
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Jon is a seasoned freelance writer who started covering games and apps in 2007 before expanding into smartphones and consumer tech, dabbling in lifestyle and media coverage along the way. Besides bein…
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Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
