Google Tracker “Grogu” vs. Apple AirTags

Google will have its own Bluetooth tag tracker to rival Apple’s AirTag. As you see, in March, 2022, it was known that Google was baking support for Bluetooth trackers directly into Android which seemed to be the Android team making up ground on Apple’s iOS, which stole a march with its own AirTag ecosystem. And what started as a simple rumor currently has the whole audience expecting, as there is a lot of evidence about the company’s new projects. Let’s see how it goes.

The evidence

To begin with, recently, a couple of intrepid code-divers have dug up more evidence that Google is pushing forward with its own AirTag Bluetooth tracker system. You see, first, Mishaal Rahman tweeted the news that Google’s Fast Pair is preparing to add support for a new “locator tag” product. Then, developer (and reliable source of code-based tips) Kuba Wojciechowski located what that locator tag will likely be.

Well, it seems that Google is taking the initiative very seriously, and even the Nest development team has decided to refer to their new device as “Project Grogu.” Thus, in case you needed bringing up to speed, this is the name of the ‘Baby Yoda’ character in The Mandalorian, Disney Plus’s hit show set in the StarWars universe.

More about “Grogu”

How will the Google Tracker look design-wise?

Thanks to the simplicity of the device, it’s impossible to imagine something big. It has a BLE and UWB technology chip and a small sparker to alert the user of its presence. Apparently, this first party Bluetooth tracker features a built-in speaker, just like Apple’s AirTag. 

To be more specific, in terms of connectivity, Google’s Grogu will have Ultra-wideband (UWB), a type of technology that allows for fast, short-range exchanges of information and very precise ranging. As the source points out, while the Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 7 Pro support the standard, it hasn’t actually been used for anything yet.

Besides, it’ll also come in multiple colour options, which we’ve come to expect of Google’s accessories. However, even if we’re talking about very small equipment, it’s necessary for it to be compact enough to be carried in pockets, keyrings, or attached to bigger objects.

On the other hand, the durability of the design is a crucial component because people tend to misplace their stuff, and the tracker should be capable of handling a few tumbles. We probably don’t expect something completely new, different and even complicated to understand, but most likely, users will demand high quality.

When will it be released? 

Certainly, there’s no time frame on Google’s AirTag tracker rival to appear, but Wojciechowski’s guess is that it’ll be announced at Google I/O in the middle of 2023, then launched alongside the Pixel 8 towards the end of the year.

Nevertheless, Kuba expects Google to announce the Smart tracker in the upcoming Google I/O event this year. Furthermore, it should be noted that last year Google announced the Pixel 7 and the Pixel watch, both of which didn’t exactly sell like hotcakes. 

But that doesn’t make them bad devices at all. In fact, Google’s relentless innovation with the Tensor chip will ultimately carve a niche space for the phone and other related products. Hence, many people want to see what the result of this new launch will be.