Image credit : The New York Times
According to reports, Google could be working on developing device-locating network functionality which is almost similar to Apple’s ‘Find My’ network. In the latest version of Google Play Services app, a string of code associated to a network for finding Android devices have been apparently recognized .
It should be regarded that while APK teardown can display features coming in future updates, Google has not shared any details officially on the functionality as yet. Thereby, it may not come to Android or might have varied set of features if it appears.
The team involved at XDA Developers decoded the latest Google Play Services app version 21.24.13 and surfaced two strings of code – “mdm_find_device_network_description” and “mdm_find_device_network_title.” The first code description states, “Allow you phone to help locate your other people’s devices.” “Find my device network” describes the second code.
The above codes indicates to a find my device network system for Android as similar as Apple’s own Find My services. This also put forward that Google will utilize Google Play services to allow this service possible as it existing on almost every Android devices across the world except Android devices in China.
As yet, Google provides a Google Find My Device app which enables the users to locate devices that are signed into your Google account. Along with the extended network functionality as observed in the code, users will be able to find another android devices signed into from different accounts.
As Google is yet to share details about the functionality, Google alleged Find My network system may or may not find its way to future updates.
Recently, Apple’s Find My network added AirTag to its ecosystem that enables users to find anything. It is available on all Apple devices and is a small coin shaped device which can be attached to almost everything and then can be located using the Find My network.