Google Might Be Working on Bluetooth Tracker Detection. As we know, Google at the moment might be working on a native tracker system for android devices that would search for unknown tracking devices including those offered by Tile and Apple.
The Object tractor segment has acquired a lot of traction with the debut of Apple’s Airtags, and so have the risks of abusive usage that includes stalking that comes with these devices that are coin-sized.
Google Might Be Working on Bluetooth Tracker Detection
It seems like Google is working on an interesting feature that covers incognito trackers in the vicinity by detecting Bluetooth signatures that are emanating straight from them. Well, Google is yet to confirm it, so keep the expectations in place.
Thanks to people at 9to5Mac, the feature’s development were spotted in the cod of Play services. Play service’s latest version has some interesting bits of code that comes with two strings, in particular, spilling the beans. The first one that was stated is the “unfamiliar device alerts,” which actually sounds vague, and comes with implications that are quite intense.
The second one narrows down with a clear description that says “unfamiliar Tag Detected Notification.” And if there is still room left for confusion, subsequent lines also name drop Tile and Atag, Which is another short way of saying Airtags.
Google’s Development is Still a Mystery
Of course, when it comes to working on a tracker detection system, it is a development that seems quite promising. The thing is it lack of specifics makes it seem like a mystery. One of the most important questions is if the new Android feature would need to be enabled manually in other to check for trackers that are close by, or if it will do the job on its own in the background and send a notification when it detects an unidentified tracker.
The latter sounds more like the best route moving forward, but an always-on Bluetooth-dependent system will also take its toll on its battery life. The reports also add that the tracking will happen over Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), the more energy-efficient version of the wireless connectivity protocol.
Just as stated above, these are just findings in the code, and Google might or may not ever decide to release this widely as a feature. However, such a feature is required of the hour, and that’s mainly because existing solutions for detecting unidentified trackers are not that effective, especially for Android smartphones users. Recently, Tile decided to unveil a new scan and secure feature to aid users to scan for and tracking devices around them.
Verdict
But The scan is to be performed manually, and the whole process might take about 10 minutes to reliably perform a set of six scans. Apple possesses an app with a similar premise for Android phones called the name Tracker detect, but unlike phones, there isn’t a proactive system for automatically detecting an unmarked AirTag that is planted on an individual.
