Is Google’s smart tag network any good yet?

The Google Find My Device network has seen improvements since its launch in April 2024, according to a recent test by The Verge.
The network’s performance is comparable to Apple’s AirTag and Tile trackers in good conditions, such as in busy cities with stationary tags.
However, the network struggles when tracking becomes more challenging, such as in rural areas or with moving tags.
The three main trackers using Google’s network – Chipolo Pop, Pebblebee Clip, and Moto Tag – have shown significant improvements since their initial launch.
Despite these advancements, the Google Find My Device network still lags behind its competitors in certain situations, highlighting areas for further improvement.

The Chipolo Pop, Pebblebee Clip, and Moto Tag are the three main trackers using Google’s network.

When Google launched its long-awaited Find My Device network in April 2024, it arrived to… well, what’s the opposite of “fanfare”? A slow network rollout and damning reviews dampened enthusiasm for what was supposed to be a wave of Android-powered rivals to Apple’s AirTag. But a year’s a long time in tech, and Google has been promising improvements almost since Find My Device was first switched on. I wanted to know: have things gotten any better?

To find out, I set about testing the latest trackers from the three main companies that make compatible models: Pebblebee, Chipolo, and Motorola. For now Google doesn’t make its own Pixel or Nest-branded tracker, and Samsung’s SmartTags use its own SmartThings Find network, not Google’s. In the name of science, I also got hold of an Apple AirTag and a Tile tracker to serve as reference points for Google’s chief competitors.

I found a network that’s clearly improved in the year since launch, one that in good conditions – a busy city, a tracker that’s not moving – is every bit as good as Apple’s and Tile’s. It’s when tracking gets trickier, in rural settings or with moving tags, that a gap between Google and the competition still opens up …

Read the full story at The Verge.

link

Q. Is Google’s smart tag network good yet?

A. The network has improved significantly since its launch, with performance comparable to Apple’s and Tile’s in good conditions.

Q. What is Google’s smart tag network used for?

A. It allows users to track their lost or misplaced devices, such as trackers, keys, or other personal items.

Q. Which companies make compatible models with Google’s Find My Device network?

A. The three main companies are Pebblebee, Chipolo, and Motorola.

Q. Why did the initial rollout of Google’s smart tag network receive poor reviews?

A. The slow network rollout and performance issues in certain conditions led to disappointing results.

Q. How does Google’s smart tag network compare to Apple’s AirTag?

A. In good conditions, it is comparable to Apple’s AirTag, but performance gaps appear when tracking becomes trickier.

Q. What other trackers were used for comparison with Google’s Find My Device network?

A. Tile tracker and an Apple AirTag were also tested as reference points for Google’s chief competitors.

Q. Why doesn’t Google make its own Pixel or Nest-branded tracker?

A. The article does not specify why, but it mentions that Samsung uses its own SmartThings Find network instead of Google’s.

Q. What is the main issue with Google’s smart tag network in rural settings or with moving tags?

A. A gap between Google and the competition appears when tracking becomes trickier in these conditions.

Q. Has Google made any improvements to its smart tag network since its launch?

A. Yes, the network has improved significantly over time, according to the article.

Q. What is Find My Device network?

A. It is a network launched by Google in April 2024 that allows users to track their lost or misplaced devices using compatible trackers.