Google found to be developing Apple AirTag competitor with UWB chip and built-in speaker

Kuba Wojciechowski and Mishaal Rahman have found the first indications of a future Google product that could rival the Apple AirTag and Samsung Galaxy SmartTag. Based on the pair's findings, the device is known internally by multiple codenames, including 'Grogu', 'GroguAudio' and 'GR10', with the latter its model number. Supposedly, the Nest team is developing the device too, which should provide an indication of where it will sit within Google's hardware offering.

The comparison between Google's locator tag and the Apple AirTag appears a fair one because of the former's reliance on multiple connectivity standards. On the one hand, Google code suggests that the device will support Bluetooth Low Energy (LE), as well as a Google Fast Pair for near-automatic pairing with Pixel smartphones. Theoretically, the tag should ping its locator to a device once it is in Bluetooth range, which then uploads this to Google's server to provide a location estimate.

On the other hand, Wojciechowski has discovered the use of an ultra-wideband (UWB) chip, which Apple uses in the AirTag. In practice, this should mean that Pixel smartphones with UWB chips can track the tag to within a few centimetres, although only the Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 7 Pro currently possess these. While pricing and availability have not leaked yet, Wojciechowski claims that the Google locator tag will be compatible with other devices running Android and will contain a small speaker for locating the tag.

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