Google's Nest appears to be working on AirTag-like location trackers, codenamed “Grogu”, with support for Bluetooth LE and UWB, possibly for launch at I/O
Google is reportedly working on a location tracking tag to compete with the likes of Apple's AirTags and Tile trackers …
The reported Grogu effort positions Google Nest to compete directly with AirTags and Tile trackers, while making Bluetooth LE and UWB core requirements for its prospective tag.
Google's Find My Device network becomes the immediate companion service for any Nest tracker, rather than a separate device-only offering.
Second-order effects
Apple, Samsung, and Tile face a Google entrant whose tracker experience can be paired with Google's device-finding network, increasing pressure to differentiate on network reach and safety features.
A Nest tag would make compliance with the Apple-Google unwanted-tracking specification more consequential for tracker makers seeking interoperability across phone ecosystems.
Third-order effects
The category is moving toward location-tracking networks differentiated not only by finding accuracy but also by cross-platform protections against covert tracking.
If Google brings a Nest tracker to market, shared Bluetooth safety alerts may become a baseline competitive condition rather than a feature individual vendors can treat as optional.
The trend: Item trackers are evolving from standalone accessories into ecosystem services where UWB-enabled finding and cross-platform anti-stalking safeguards advance together.
The Fast Pair developer console added “Locator tag” as a device type👀 “Locator tag” likely refers to Bluetooth trackers (think AirTag, Tile) that in this context support Google Fast Pair. H/T @Za_Raczke https://twitter.com/...
I have recently found references that show that Google's working on support for locator tags in Fast Pair - see the linked thread for more info. https://twitter.com/... Now it turns out Google's working on a first party tracker too!
I am not saying this thing exists or that it'll be called G Spot (there's no way lmao). All I'm pointing out is that Fast Pair now recognizes trackers/"locator tags" as a separate device type, which indicates Fast Pair-supporting Bluetooth trackers are on the way.
A few days ago, some ... interesting concept renders were posted online of a hypothetical Google-made tracker called the G Spot. While it was made as a joke, there's some truth to the slide where it says it'd use Fast Pair! Via: https://www.yankodesign.com/ ... https://twitter.co…
And yes, there's already evidence that Google's working on an Android equivalent to the Find My network. It could be called the “Finder Network”. https://twitter.com/...
“grogu” (alternatively “groguaudio” or “GR10") is currently in development by the Nest team (although that doesn't necessarily mean it's gonna launch under Nest).
It has an onboard speaker, similar to AirTags. It should come in a few different colours (although I don't know any specifics at this time). There seems to be support for UWB as well as Bluetooth Low Energy.
I don't have any information regarding the release timeframe of the tag, but if I had to guess I'd say Google's gonna announce the technology at Google I/O and then launch it at the annual fall event, alongside new Google Pixel devices.