Android is set to gain a handful of new tools designed to help forgetful users keep track of their devices, with Google appearing to build tracking features directly into the operating system rather than leaving them to third-party accessories.
Modern life throws up countless distractions, and many people carry a growing collection of gadgets from one place to the next. Against that backdrop, mislaying an item is all too easy. Google is reportedly developing a couple of upgrades aimed at both reuniting users with lost kit and making it harder to leave things behind in the first place.
Alerts when you leave items behind
The centrepiece of this effort is a system that could notify you when you walk away from certain connected devices. That includes earbuds and Bluetooth trackers, with the operating system flagging up when the distance between you and an accessory grows beyond a certain point.
By borrowing device-tracking functionality that has proven popular in dedicated accessories, Google looks to be folding these capabilities into Android itself. The result would be a more integrated experience, reducing the reliance on separate apps or hardware ecosystems to keep tabs on everyday items.
Using trackers to find a missing phone
The relationship works in both directions. As part of the same set of features, users could press the buttons on trackers to help locate a missing phone. Rather than only using a phone to find a tracker, the tracker itself becomes a tool for tracking down the handset it is paired with.
This two-way approach reflects a broader push to make device tracking a native part of the Android experience. For those who regularly misplace earbuds, keys or a handset, the combination of proximity alerts and tracker-triggered phone location could prove a practical addition.
The features have surfaced ahead of any formal rollout, suggesting development is still under way. As it stands, the tools point to Android taking on more of the responsibility for helping users hold on to the many gadgets they carry each day.
