Google launches Pixel Tag object tracker for Android via Find Hub
Google launched Pixel Tag, a new object tracker designed to integrate with the Android ecosystem, Publinews reported.
The device connects through Find Hub, a platform that tracks missing objects and devices. Users must link the tracker to a phone running Android 9 or a later version. Fast Pair technology identifies nearby accessories automatically, according to Publinews.
Google plans November release for hardware with IP67 certification
Google scheduled commercial availability for November, following an initial presentation on August 12 alongside Pixel 11 phones and the Pixel Watch 5, Publinews reported. Initial availability was set for November 11, though some tech outlets reported its arrival on November 10.
The device features a replaceable CR2032 battery designed to last over a year. It includes a stainless-steel structure and IP67 certification, which provides dust protection and water resistance during 30-minute immersions of up to one meter deep, Publinews stated.
Bluetooth and ultra-wideband technology provide precise tracking
For items nearby, the tracker uses Bluetooth and ultra-wideband technology to pinpoint locations. The Find Hub app displays distance and directional guidance on compatible phones, Publinews reported.
An integrated audio alert reaches approximately 80 decibels to help locate hidden objects in a room. The hardware also includes Bluetooth Channel Sounding based on the Bluetooth 6.0 standard for precise distance calculation, though this feature requires compatible phones, according to Publinews.
Find Hub network uses Android devices for location updates
When an item leaves phone range, the Find Hub network relies on more than one billion Android devices to detect the tracker signal and update its map location. Google stated that data transmits via end-to-end encryption, Publinews reported.
Users can also find misplaced phones by pressing the tracker button twice to trigger a sound alert on the mobile device. Pixel Watch models and Pixel Buds can also make the accessory sound an alarm during searches, according to Infobae data cited by Publinews.
