Google is rumored to be working on a Bluetooth tracking tag similar to what you see from Tile, Apple’s AirTag, and Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTag. The rumor comes from Twitter user Kuba Wojciechowski (via XDA), who states the device is currently in development under Google’s Nest team. Nest is generally the smart home arm of Google’s hardware though. So a Bluetooth tracking tag might sound like an odd endeavor for the Nest brand.
With that in mind, Wojciechowski does point out that Nest handling development is not an admission of this being an upcoming Nest product. It is entirely possible that Nest is currently handling development but may end up passing it off to another team later further down the line.
The rumor mentions that Google could be looking to launch this device towards the end of the year. Which would put it around the time of its annual Fall Pixel event. That isn’t to say that this is going to be a Pixel product either. Just that when you generally have a Google product launch towards the end of the year, it makes an appearance at this event. It’s also possible that Google may mention this at its upcoming Google I/O conference that happens in May.
Google will offer a variety of different colors of its Bluetooth tracking tag
Details are somewhat light at the moment for this potential new device. But the rumor does contain some information about it. Google will potentially be offering this device in a few different colors. This isn’t at all a stretch considering every device Google sells these days has at least two or three colors available. All of its Nest products, the Chromecast with Google TV, and all of the products in its Pixel line. So it makes sense here that Google would do more than one color for a tracking tag too.
In addition to multiple color options, the tracking tag is said to have an onboard speaker. As well as support for UWB (ultra-wide band) and Bluetooth Low Energy. Both of which are used to accurately track the location of the tag.