Chipolo and Pebblebee are first companies to join Google's network with compact Bluetooth trackers
Chipolo One Point offers keychain-friendly device, replaceable battery, location tracking and sharing options
Google launched Find My Device network in April 2024 to challenge Apple's Find My network
Google's network faces criticism for limited coverage and functionality issues
Pebblebee Air and Go offer rechargeable batteries, similar functionality to Chipolo through Find My Device app
In a bid to challenge Apple's Find My network, Google launched its own Find My Device network in April 2024. The new network aims to create a global web of compatible devices designed to help users locate lost items using Bluetooth trackers. Among the first companies to join Google's network are Chipolo and Pebblebee, both of which offer compact, lightweight Bluetooth smart tags that can be connected to the Find My Device app. However, Google's network has faced some criticism for its limited coverage and issues with functionality.
Chipolo offers its One Point tracker, a keychain-friendly device that can be used to track items such as keys, backpacks or luggage. The device features a replaceable battery that lasts up to a year and can be easily set up and customized through the Find My Devices app. It also allows users to locate their lost item if it is nearby, trigger a sound if it is further away, share its location with others, and monitor its battery life.
Pebblebee offers two different trackers: the Air and the Go. Both devices feature rechargeable batteries that can be powered via USB-C cables or magnetic pin-to-USB-C cables. The Pebblebee trackers also offer similar functionality to the Chipolo One Point, including location tracking, sound triggering, sharing options and battery life monitoring all through the Find My Device app.
Despite their similarities in function, both Chipolo and Pebblebee face challenges due to Google's network issues. The limited coverage of Google's Find My Device network has left many users disappointed with the functionality of these new trackers. However, as Google continues to work on improving its network, it is likely that these devices will become more reliable and useful for Android users looking for an alternative to Apple AirTags.
Google relaunched Find My Device network in April 2024 to compete with Apple’s item-finding network.
Pebblebee offers rechargeable trackers using USB-C cables or magnetic-pin-to-USB-C cables.
Accuracy
Pebblebee and Chipolo were the first brands to support Google’s new network.
Google Find My Device trackers have similar functionality, set up using Android phone and respective apps.
Chipolo’s app is faster during setup process, while Pebblebee’s trackers have better response and wider Bluetooth range.
Deception
(30%)
The article contains selective reporting as the author only mentions the issues she faced with Google's Find My Device network and does not mention any potential benefits or successes. The author also uses emotional manipulation by expressing her disappointment and frustration with the network.
Going off of my expectations versus reality, I soon realized that the presence of Android devices is not enough for the Find My Device network to be successful.
To say that I was disappointed would be an understatement.
What I ended up doing with all five of my trackers was dividing each one among my friends and asking them not to disclose their location to me. I wanted to locate them randomly using the power of Google’s network, and my friends could then confirm whether the network was correct or not.
Fallacies
(80%)
The author makes an appeal to authority when she mentions that Google's Find My Device network is designed to protect user privacy. She also uses inflammatory rhetoric when she states that the network 'is going to fail as an item-finding network by design' and that 'people need to be forced into contributing.'
Google needs to find a way to make more Android users contribute to its crowdsourcing network if its Find My Device network is going to reach its full potential.
If people choose not to be part of the network, it will fail as an item-finding network by design.
Chipolo's new Point tracking devices are designed to work with Google's Find My Device network as the Android counterpart to Apple AirTags.
The Chipolo One Point tracker is a keychain-friendly tracker for items like keys, backpacks, or luggage with a replaceable battery lasting up to a year.
Google's Find My Device network uses end-to-end encryption for location data and anonymized reporting to enhance user privacy.
Chipolo Point trackers can be located, trigger a sound if nearby but not found, shared with someone else, and their battery life monitored through the Google Find My Device app.
The Chipolo One Point has a quick and easy setup process.
The Chipolo One Point can be given custom names and categories in the Find My Devices app.
Accuracy
Google’s Find My Device network is now operational and open to all Android users.
Google relaunched Find My Device network in April 2024 to compete with Apple’s item-finding network.
Google Find My Device trackers have similar functionality, set up using Android phone and respective apps.
Deception
(70%)
The article contains selective reporting as the author focuses on the pros and cons of Chipolo One Point without mentioning any potential drawbacks or limitations of Google's Find My Device network. The author also uses emotional manipulation by expressing disappointment and frustration with Android users' experiences in finding lost items before Google's network became available.
This is a side effect of Google’s default setting, which relies on multiple devices coming within range of a tag before location data can be determined.
But this is also going to be a problem for basically all trackers on Google’s network...
Despite some growing pains, Apple found early and rapid success with AirTags... Things haven’t been so good for Android users...
However, while the Find My Device network rolled out at the end of May, it hasn’t been rolled out to all phones just yet.
I have a theory that many smart tags will be purchased and set up in busy places like airports and train stations as a last-minute precaution to keep track of luggage...
Google's Find My Device network is currently experiencing issues and has limited coverage.
Google delayed the network launch to wait for Apple to implement cross-platform anti-stalking alerts.
Accuracy
Google's Find My Device network was launched in April 2024.
Google relaunched Find My Device network in April 2024 to compete with Apple's item-finding network.
Google Find My Device trackers have similar functionality.
Deception
(30%)
The article contains selective reporting as the author focuses on the issues with Google's Find My Device network and does not mention any potential benefits or improvements. The author also makes emotional manipulation by using phrases like 'next to useless', 'lots of blind spots', and 'almost useless accessories'. Additionally, there is a lie by omission as the article fails to mention that Apple's AirTags also have limitations in terms of accuracy and range when used for finding lost items in low-traffic areas.
Google reportedly delayed its network launch to wait for Apple to implement cross-platform anti-stalking alerts.
The network is currently next to useless.
To which nextpit received this rather generic reply: Google’s Find My Device prioritizes your safety with multi-layered protections, which may occasionally affect Bluetooth tracker finding.
Fallacies
(80%)
The author makes an appeal to authority by mentioning the estimated installed base of over a billion smartphones and the potential for Google's network to dethrone Apple's AirTags. However, this does not constitute a fallacy as it is a valid point. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric when referring to Google's network as 'next to useless', 'weak network of devices', and 'almost useless accessories'. This is an informal fallacy as it is an emotional appeal rather than a logical argument. The author also makes a dichotomous depiction by blaming Apple for the delays in the implementation of Google's network, without considering other potential factors. However, this does not significantly impact the overall score as there are only a few instances of fallacies.
][Google]'s Find My Device network is next to useless.[/
The result is a weak network of devices, with lots of blind spots.
But the fact that even the rollout of that mode is still not widespread makes us question the timing of the network launch.
