- Google could improve its Find Hub network by convincing users during device setup to select a more reliable, but less private, tracking option.
- This new setup screen rebrands the existing network options to better explain that the default option may be less reliable, while the alternative can find items anywhere.
- By getting more people to choose the more effective setting, Google aims to make its network a more dependable alternative to Apple’s and Samsung’s.
If you’re worried about losing an important possession, you can attach a Bluetooth tracker to it and monitor its location using an item tracking network. For Android users, the most convenient option is Google’s Find Hub network, as it’s built into nearly every Android device. However, the network has a major drawback: it’s not as reliable as its competitors. Fortunately, Google is working on a subtle change to the setup process that could make Find Hub far more dependable.
Find Hub, formerly Find My Device, helps you pinpoint the location of your devices and contacts. It locates items in one of two ways: either the device reports its own location, or another nearby device in the network reports it. While smartphones and tablets can share their own location when they have an Internet connection, they must rely on the crowd-sourced network when they’re offline. The same is true for Bluetooth trackers. In theory, as long as other network participants pass by your lost item, its location will be updated.