Testing Google's NEW Android Find My Device Network

Рет қаралды 15,080

Күн бұрын

I just recently received the update and I run through an overview of the new network and run some basic tests to show off its capabilities. It is certainly improved from before, but there are also some needed improvements in the nearby tracking and device support that need to be addressed.
00:00 Coming Up...
00:07 What is the New Network?
01:15 Do I have the NEW network on my account?
02:01 Nearby Tracking with the Pixel Tablet and Pixel 8 Pro
03:12 Device Settings for Tracking Headphones, Watches, etc.
03:35 Tracking My Pixel Buds Pro, Pixel Watch, and Sony Headphones
04:13 List of Headphones and Bluetooth Trackers Compatible with New Network
05:08 Three Levels of Find My Device Features
Articles:
9to5google.com/2024/04/08/fin...
www.androidauthority.com/find...
www.theverge.com/2024/5/13/24...

Пікірлер: 60

@BBTechBreakdown 26 күн бұрын

UPDATE2: I received my Pebblebee tracker on June 13 2024. I am in the process of testing the network and initial results are not promising. Difficult to track in public and difficult to locate nearby. I expect these issues to be fixed with time though. Will be releasing video detailing my experience soon. UPDATE: According to Damien Wilde of 9to5Google, purchasing one of the bluetooth trackers will automatically activate the network on your device even if you haven't received the notification about it yet. Here is some more context from his article: "Even so, I decided that maybe I’ll try and set up Chipolo’s newest trackers before heading off for a long weekend away. Without Find My Device network activated on my Pixel 8 Pro, I expected to be left high and dry with a useless tracker. Instead, the initial setup phase allowed me to connect to the enhanced network and integrate the first wave trackers almost instantly. To reiterate: None of my Pixel devices have received a notification indicating they can access the updated network until this stage. Instead, the pop-up confirmed that I would be pairing to my account. This was followed by the “Use responsibly” prompt that has you agree to the terms and conditions of joining the network" Article link: 9to5google.com/2024/05/29/activate-find-my-device-on-android Also, based on a couple articles I've read we can expect Google to roll out the network worldwide by the end of June. This is not 100% but should give a rough idea. Hopefully it is sooner though. And apparently Google has said that the pixel buds pro will be supported with the new network, it just appears to not have been updated to do so yet. Here is quote from 9to5Google article by Abner Li: "Google has not provided a timeline on when the Pixel Buds Pro update is coming, while the Sony and JBL updates are coming “soon.” The first Bluetooth tracker tags (full list below) are coming in late May, with the headphone support possibly coming just before or around the same time."

@Kris_96 26 күн бұрын

I still don't understand how this can be region locked for now...

@BBTechBreakdown 26 күн бұрын

Agreed. Supposedly they are beginning to roll it out slowly to other countries. It'd be nice if they were at least more up front about what they are doing and why

@hashikdonthineni2863 15 күн бұрын

This is to iron out bugs, issues, etc. Every company does that. Our team only releases few percentage of Japan first and then move to US later. It depends on the team/product.

@NavneetRao 15 күн бұрын

Also it usually has to pass a bunch of varying regulations before being deployed in different countries.

@mr_b_hhc 28 күн бұрын

Now they can track you with even greater precision. Yay.

@BBTechBreakdown 28 күн бұрын

And you could always purchase a bunch of used android phones and station them around your house if you want them to have even more precision

@bennihtm 27 күн бұрын

Great Video! Thank you!

@BBTechBreakdown 27 күн бұрын

Appreciate it! Glad it was helpful

@user-fy9ij9fx2e 20 күн бұрын

If this shares the tech with Apple AirTags does it mean that Android network will support Apple one and vice versa? So trying to locate the AirTag located nearby Android phone with Find My Device network enabled will be possible?

@BBTechBreakdown 20 күн бұрын

No, this was implemented solely for detecting unwanted trackers in the other network. While Android's "Tracker Detect" app can locate nearby AirTags, it can't set them up or track them like Apple devices (so you must already know you're nearby). Also, AirTags only share location data with Apple devices. Android trackers, however, May potentially be viewed on iPhone via a web app (I'm gonna test this when I get one). But either way the networks will always be separate and only support full capabilities within their respective app.

@parrishthomas92 14 күн бұрын

My galaxy buds still don't show up

@TimTim40484 3 сағат бұрын

I have tested the "Find nearby" option quite rigorously with my two non-Google Android devices. For me the option would say "It's here" even if I wasn't near the device at all like in a separate room At times the option to "Play sound" would just not work and you would have to try using it again and again until it worked. It would be better if the "Find nearby" option was always present so you could have your phone constantly checking for the device's Bluetooth signal as you walk around the place since you have to mash the refresh button and such or just wait for the phone to pick up the Bluetooth signal to get the option. Also the email that you get about the device being found doesn't contain any other useful information such as the location it was spotted and just leads you to the Help Center for finding a lost device.

@BBTechBreakdown 3 сағат бұрын

I finally got my Pebblebee tracker in and have been doing some more extensive testing with it (will be releasing video soon). And yea I have experienced a lot of bugs and actually had to completely factory reset my Pebblebee device because I couldn't even connect locally or even activate the sound at all. Also doesn't do well in public yet and I presume the network isn't rolled out much and the aforementioned bugs. I do think they will work out this stuff over time but it's not very helpful yet in its current state

@MayooN 22 күн бұрын

I am in Canada on Pixel 8 Pro. I still dont have this app update ! Anyone else ?

@BBTechBreakdown 22 күн бұрын

I'd be interested to hear too. It seems to be rolling out to more people randomly. Considering the trackers ship out starting Monday I'm hoping to see a rapid increase in supported devices

@djt6012 21 күн бұрын

I'm in Australia, and I recently got the notification of it coming in 3 days. So it should update for me in a day or two.

@AndroidTablet-ck6pz 12 күн бұрын

I wish google would release this to other google devices

@KiraUchiha93 19 күн бұрын

My question is.. you got smt stolen, with a tag attached. And the thief is part of the find my network.. does he/she get the tag following warning.!?? Bcoz it would warn the thief of the tag presence 😅

@BBTechBreakdown 19 күн бұрын

Yea, this would be an unintentional side effect of the detecting unwanted location trackers feature. It would alert anybody who has the feature if they have an android or iPhone. I'm planning to do some testing once my tracker comes in to see what sets it off exactly though. I'll try to stalk my wife

@KiraUchiha93 19 күн бұрын

@@BBTechBreakdown first of all.. thaaaanx for the answer .. than.. the question comes from a video I saw on ig.. where a French guy got a jacket from vinted, and he got after some time a notification of a “following tag” and then found an AirTag stitched inside the pocket.. a dude came at the door asking for a girl (bcoz it was a lady jacket) prolly to kidnap or r@pə.. who knows. Ion even know if it was real or staged.. anyway let’s assume he didn’t buy the jacket from vinted, but stole instead from the legitimate owner, he would have noticed the warning of the following tag, found the tag, and thrown it away, right.?

@BBTechBreakdown 18 күн бұрын

Yea I would assume that if you found the tracker you would get rid of it asap. Hopefully if you knew you lost something you could track it down before it notifies the person. But Airtags also don't keep a history of location for safety measures as well. Hopefully that response helps lol!

@mrperfection2748 8 күн бұрын

My friend has an android and AirPods can he track those?

@BBTechBreakdown 8 күн бұрын

I think he should be able to do the basic tracking to see the last time they were connected to his device (assuming he has location history for his phone or other device he is connecting to enabled). But I think that working with the new network relies on the manufacturer of the headphones. So very little chance Apple will make their products compatible with androids network

@ijamorris3449 3 күн бұрын

Is it ideal to use for pets?

@BBTechBreakdown 3 күн бұрын

Probably not necessarily ideal, since the dog would have to be within 50 ish feet of others to be able to track. I do know some people do use Airtags for their dogs tho. It could depend on the situation and if you live in a densely populated area on whether or not you think it'd be worth it Not too familiar with other products but I do think they make gps trackers for dogs which could potentially work better, but you'd need to look into it

@sudev 26 күн бұрын

When can we expect it to launch in the India

@BBTechBreakdown 26 күн бұрын

Short answer is we do not know for sure. But probably in next couple of months The best info I can find is on April 9 from Rajesh Pandey of Android police who said: "Google has confirmed to Android Authority that the global rollout of the Find My Device network "will be completed over the next couple of months." A more precise timeline would have helped, but still you should expect the enhanced device tracking service to be available in your region by late June 2024." So hopefully this is accurate. We are seeing the trackers released and shipping starting May 27, so perhaps we will see it roll out more starting then, although I am just guessing about that

@sudev 26 күн бұрын

@@BBTechBreakdown thanks for the info man Appreciated

@harshupadhyaya7263 9 күн бұрын

I just bought the chipolo point. Doesn't work and use the find my network unfortunately. It literally only shows the last time it connected to my phone similar to your pixel buds, in essence level 1 as per your video - it does now show it's location based on it connecting with other devices via the secure network. It's been sold like it will use the network of a billion devices but it doesn't. I've kept it in a busy street where people walk and it's showing the date and time of last connection with my phone. It doesn't work like its advertised to be (like the airtags). Unfortunately will be returning these, they don't work as i anticipated them to. They claim to share a live location but thing is a dud

@BBTechBreakdown 9 күн бұрын

If it's the one compatible with Android's new network it's honestly probably because Google hasn't rolled it out to many people yet. So that large network doesn't really exist yet as they are rolling it out incrementally. It's not clear to me how many people have it yet, but ive heard from a few people that this is the case for them too. Hopefully I get my tracker soon to test Is it the one compatible with Android's new network?

@BBTechBreakdown 9 күн бұрын

If it's for.androids new network it will improve with time. Now how long it will be before they roll it out to everyone I'm not entirely sure. Shouldnt be crazy long, especially with these trackers out

@harshupadhyaya7263 9 күн бұрын

I'm that case - Fingers crossed on a higher uptake of these devices! Thanks for your video!

@BBTechBreakdown 8 күн бұрын

@@harshupadhyaya7263 also, make sure your setting in the Google's find my device app is NOT set to "with network in high traffic areas only". If it is, it will only use the network when you have multiple people in the network around. And default to "level 1" when there aren't multiple devices. If you have it set to "with network in all areas" it should use network even if just one device is nearby.

@harshupadhyaya7263 8 күн бұрын

It's been set to "with network in all areas" and not "with network in high-traffic areas only". Been a few days since it detected the device lol. Will give it a few weeks but not convinced yet sadly! Really was (and still) rooting for this!

@jameswilly6206ify 14 күн бұрын

Needs to be findable when phones off, like iPhones do.

@BBTechBreakdown 14 күн бұрын

The pixel actually is as this network allows offline finding and I'm sure more devices will be supported as time goes on

@CaptainLEVIasArkhamKnight 26 күн бұрын

1. Turn off the tablet then try 2. Restore factory settings of tablet, turn it off then try

@BBTechBreakdown 26 күн бұрын

Then try what? What part are you referring to?

@CaptainLEVIasArkhamKnight 24 күн бұрын

@@BBTechBreakdown try that the app does. Locating a device under different conditions

@stefw0200 4 күн бұрын

Sadly you don't mention or discuss the cons. 1st it's again a new method that tries to take over existing ones like the find functions of Samsung or Xiaomi, thus weakening them instead of strengthen the function together. 2nd turning this on means yoyr phone will never turn off completely again, thus waisting battery even when turned off - not good for storing away any (old) device but resulting in an empty LiIo battery which is worst scenario for battery life. 3rd when I last used Google version it was build completely user unfriendly about "being followed" alerts by tags. To make senses there has to be a whitelist of your own or known tags to avoid false alerts So you should upgrade your videos to take this into consideration. I e.g. will not change my Samsung Find function for Google till this is solved by Google

@BBTechBreakdown 4 күн бұрын

Please provide any extra info I may be missing because I don't personally own a Samsung or Xiamoi phone 1: there's a couple things to this part - to my knowledge you should still be able to take advantage of both of you have for example a Samsung phone. Does it make you pick one or the other? - Also, Is there any evidence that Google's network effects Xiamoi or Samsung in a way that inhibits their networks from operating how they should? - also, I think what we should want is Google implementing this rather than leaving it all up to each phone manufacturer. Sure those phone manufacturers can implement their own thing, but if you can make the network that much larger by using androids system rather than one phone manufacturer I think that's good. The issue as of now is that Google hasn't fully rolled out the network AND there's still missing features such as UWB (although it seems they are paving the way for that due to APK teardown). So hopefully as googles new network matures, rolls out to everyone, and gets all necessary features then the combined network of all android users would be stronger. And again, people should still be able to use those networks of Samsung and Xiamoi if they choose 2: I dont think this is a legitimate concern. - this technology uses an incredibly low amount of power, hence why such small devices such as Airtags can have battery life up to a year. That is one of the main advantages of this technology. - also if you know you're gonna store it away for that long of a period it's probably best to reset the device anyway 3: Ive never been alerted of an unknown tag following me so can't say much to this. I do know that apple and Google use the same DULT spec, so the technology behind detecting unwanted tags should be the same

@zeromark0 14 күн бұрын

Already available in India 🇮🇳 ❤

@leighfogg-liedel7839 25 күн бұрын

Jesus this is terrifying

@BBTechBreakdown 25 күн бұрын

What do you find terrifying about the new network?

@leighfogg-liedel7839 25 күн бұрын

@@BBTechBreakdown forced integration with hardware and the fact that it's quite literally spyware

@BBTechBreakdown 25 күн бұрын

@@leighfogg-liedel7839 it's an opt in network. And for your location history in your account it is encrypted and you can choose how far back to go. Also, as far as your devices for being used in the network for tracking others, your data is encrypted and it cannot be tracked back to you. So if you feel unsafe you aren't required to be part of the network or have location history on. But if you choose to be a part of it there are safeguards that mean it's not just "spyware"

@breezybre2670 15 күн бұрын

@@BBTechBreakdownDo you really believe that wheb you opt out they don't still store your location data? Come on.

@Alexi-Raener93 9 күн бұрын

@@breezybre2670Get rid of everything

@samcopy-8599 19 күн бұрын

Oh my God how they copy Apple in everything! Wow, how bizarre! 😂😂😂😂😂

@BBTechBreakdown 19 күн бұрын

Lol they both copy each other in many things, that's the beauty of competition, forcing others to make better products. Apple copies very many things from android that have been there for years that are very basic features too

@samcopy-8599 18 күн бұрын

@@BBTechBreakdown Yes! Many companies copy each other but only ONE sets the trends: APPLE! 1% of iOS are features that already existed on Android! 99% of Android is a copy of iOS! And of those 1% that already existed on Android, Android copied it from macOS, such as Widgets! Layout of product boxes, iOS Layout, macOS Layout, Layout of Apple physical stores, iOS animations, AirDrop, Gestures, App Store, absolutely EVERYTHING, these companies copy from Apple! And if we're going to talk about products that changed the user experience, then don't even talk about it! Do you already use wireless headphones that fit inside a rechargeable case? It's immensely bizarre how much these companies copy Apple!

@samcopy-8599 18 күн бұрын

@@BBTechBreakdown Welcome to 2010!

@Toxicdemon2 21 күн бұрын

seems pretty useless.... Got the notification on my phone for this "find my" thing.... THX but no thx.

@BBTechBreakdown 21 күн бұрын

Yea, the biggest advantages it practically brings are improving tracking for current devices and allowing use of Bluetooth trackers. So if you don't care about tracking your devices or using a Bluetooth trackers then you won't care