Google Is Finally Launching Its Own Android Tracker

Google is launching a small Bluetooth tracker called the Google Pixel Tag. It is designed to help Android users find things they have lost, like keys, wallets, or bags. The tracker will go on sale in November and will cost £29.99 for one, or £99 for a pack of four. For years, Android users did not have a strong tracker option like Apple's AirTag, but that is about to change.

The Google Pixel Tag connects to Google's Find Hub network, which includes more than one billion Android devices around the world. When you lose something with a Pixel Tag attached, other Android phones nearby can help locate it — even if you are not close by. This makes the network very powerful because there are so many Android devices that can help with the search. The tag also has a built-in speaker, so you can make it ring from the Find Hub app or by asking Google's AI assistant, Gemini.

One of the biggest features of the Pixel Tag is its ultra-wideband (UWB) technology. UWB lets the tracker give you step-by-step directions right to your lost item when you are close to it. This is much more accurate than regular Bluetooth tracking, which can only give you a general area. The Pixel Tag is only the second Android tracker to include this kind of technology.

The Pixel Tag has a smooth, round shape, kind of like a small pebble. It is just 5mm thick, which means it is very slim and can fit easily inside a wallet or purse. It is also rated IP67, which means it can handle water and dust without being damaged. However, it does not have a hole for a keyring, so you will need to buy a separate case if you want to clip it onto your keys or bag.

The Pixel Tag runs on a CR2032 coin cell battery, which is the same type used in Apple's AirTag. Google says the battery will last for more than a year before it needs to be replaced. The battery is also replaceable, so you do not have to buy a whole new tracker when it runs out. This makes it a more affordable choice over time.

One feature the Pixel Tag has that the AirTag does not is a button on the tracker itself. If you forget where you put your phone but still have your Pixel Tag with you, you can press the button to make your phone ring. This two-way feature is a handy extra that could save a lot of frustration. Overall, the Google Pixel Tag looks like a strong new option for Android users who want to keep track of their belongings.