Once upon a time, Android was trying to catch up with Apple.
According to developer and Android leaker Kuba Wojciechowski, Google is working on its own replacement for AirTags. It’s Apple’s first-party location-tracking gadget that attaches to objects to help you find them if they’re lost. The project is codenamed “Grogu” ( mandalorian), which may launch alongside new Pixel phones this fall.
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Wojciechowski reported all of this after finding references to locator tags in Fast Pair, Google’s Android software. Grogu appears to be being developed by the Nest team (responsible for Google’s line of smart home products), but if it does end up coming out, it may not be a Nest product.
Like the AirTags, the Grogu also has a small speaker to help find lost items. Wojciechowski also says Google’s tags allow him to track items using both Bluetooth and ultra-wideband (or UWB) technology. Both of his Pixel 7 smartphones have his UWB capability, which allows for more accurate tracking than Bluetooth. Google hasn’t really found a great use case for UWB yet, so this could be a nifty debut for that feature.
Stay tuned for Google’s annual I/O conference in May. This may be the first glimpse into Grogu.
