Something to look forward to: Google currently offers Android users a mode to track their lost devices equally long as they're connected to the Net and linked to the same Google business relationship, but that functionality could before long be expanded to create the world'southward largest crowdsourced network for locating other devices. This is expected to work a lot like Apple'due south Notice My network by having Android devices circulate Bluetooth signals even when they're offline so that nearby Android devices can relay their location to the cloud.

Back in April, Apple made a large move in expanding the Observe My tracking network to third-political party accessories, and manufacturers tin now enroll in the Find My Network Accessory Plan to certify their devices. This effectively opened up what is perhaps the best network of devices for tracking lost items, with over 1.65 billion agile devices worldwide.

According to a written report from XDA-Developers, Google may be working to replicate the Find My network with the Android ecosystem. This could be a major overhaul of the electric current Observe My Device functionality present in Android devices that only offers the power to locate devices that you've signed in on with your Google business relationship and are connected to the Internet via either Wi-Fi or a cellular network.

The XDA-Developers squad did some digging within the APK package for the latest version of the Google Play Services app in the beta aqueduct and found 2 strings that caught their attending, as they seem to indicate that a "Find My Device Network" service chosen "Spot" is in the works, which "allows your telephone to aid locate your and other people'southward devices."

At this point it's not clear if this is a feature that will make its debut with Android 12, simply a crowdsourced network of Android devices is a no-brainer, considering there are an estimated three billion of them currently in use around the world. Android is also significantly more popular when compared to iOS outside the US, and then at least in theory information technology could lead to better chances of finding lost devices or items for Android users.

Masthead credit: Frandroid