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A new device called the Pixel Tag offers the same capabilities as Apple’s Bluetooth tracker, but it will operate on Google’s Find Hub network and feature a bean-shaped casing.
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Although the main focus of Google’s upcoming presentation, scheduled for August 12, will be on the latest Pixel models and Pixel Watches, the tech giant may unveil another brand-new product – an AirTag-style Bluetooth tracker. Although Google hasn’t officially teased this gadget, 9to5Google managed to obtain a photo of the new device, likely named the Pixel Tag, and also found several mentions of it in various online catalogs.
The Pixel Tag features an elongated shape that closely resembles a kidney bean. The front features a prominent “G” logo, and next to it is a hole for the built-in speaker. The speaker is needed so the tag can emit an audible signal when searching for a lost item. It’s difficult to estimate the exact dimensions of the Pixel Tag at this time, but by analogy with Apple’s AirTag 2 and Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTag, this tracker will be compact enough to fit easily into one of the many cases, straps, or other accessories designed for convenient attachment to valuable items.
Information about the battery and other technical specifications of the device is not yet available, so it is currently unknown whether it will support Ultra-Wideband technology for precise object detection, similar to that found in Apple’s AirTag. Descriptions found by 9to5Google indicate only that the product will be officially named the Google Pixel Tag and will be available in at least one light gray shade, Fog Light.
“Forget about wasting time looking for your keys, wallet, or luggage,” reads the translated text description from the product listing. The Google Pixel Tag is a compact, lightweight, and durable smart tracker that can be discreetly attached to your most important belongings. Thanks to Google’s extensive and reliable “Find My Device” system, you can check the exact location of your belongings at any time using your smartphone.
Google has offered a service for tracking lost smartphones since 2013 via a dedicated Android network, but the ability to locate third-party items wasn’t added until 2024. The updated Find Hub service currently works with Android smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches, as well as third-party trackers such as Chipolo, but it has yet to have a branded accessory directly from Google.
Developers’ cautious approach to releasing such a gadget was entirely justified. Compact trackers pose numerous risks, particularly due to instances of their use for unauthorized surveillance. In 2024, Google and Apple introduced a unified industry-wide standard for Bluetooth trackers, which made it easier to detect hidden third-party beacons on both Android and iOS platforms. However, attackers can still use these devices, especially models released before Apple and Google joined forces. Whether Google’s new tracker will provide a higher level of protection and security will become clear on August 12.
