Google announced new features for Android and Pixel devices, including a tool to help locate lost luggage using Find Hub tracker tags. Users can generate a secure, expiring link to share an item's location with participating airlines to aid recovery.
The update also includes features for sharing real-time location in Google Messages, a short-form video feed in Google Play for app discovery, and personalized "Calling Cards" for incoming calls. Educational games for kids are coming to Android Auto.
For Pixel devices, new tools include "Find the Look" and "Try It On" for fashion searches via Circle to Search, plus updates to the At a Glance widget. Pixel Watch gains phone separation alerts and, for the Watch 3, new gesture controls.
The main topics covered are: new Android/Pixel software features, the luggage tracking partnership with airlines, and updates to Pixel Watch functionality.
Google on Tuesday announced a series of new features coming to the Android ecosystem, alongside its March software update for Pixel phones, called the Pixel Drop. Notably, Android users are getting a new way to find lost luggage. If users have added a Find Hub-compatible tracker tag to their luggage, they can now share a link with participating airlines to help identify the location of the luggage.
In the Find Hub app, users can now select their lost item and tap “share item location” to generate a unique, secure URL. Then, users can copy the link and paste it into the airline’s mobile app or website so the luggage can be tracked as it moves.
Google says the link automatically expires after seven days, and that sharing is disabled once your phone detects the luggage is back with you.
More than 10 global airlines, including Ajet, Air India, China Airlines, the Lufthansa Group (Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Swiss International Airlines), Saudia Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, and Turkish Airlines now accept Find Hub locations as part of their baggage recovery process.
Google plans to partner with additional airlines in the future.
Google released a number of other new features covering location, calls, and education. For instance, Android users can now share their locations directly in Google Messages, allowing people to see each other in real time on a map within the conversation.
Google is also launching a feed of short-form videos in Google Play to make it easier for users to discover new apps and see how they work without having to leave Google Play.
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To make calls feel more personal, Google’s Phone app is introducing “Calling Cards,” which let you personalize the look of contact screens for incoming calls, much like the Contact Poster feature on iPhones.
Additionally, Android Auto users now have access to an educational play experience for kids ages 3 to 12 that is designed to help them learn through games.
As for the new Pixel features, the tech giant is updating its Circle to Search feature with a “Find the Look” tool that identifies individual pieces of an outfit. A new “Try It On” tool allows Circle to Search to pull outfits from videos, social content, or images received in messages to see how clothing looks on the user.
Google is also rolling out updates to its At a Glance widget, which can send real-time transit updates to home and lock screens, let users view live game scores for all followed teams during matches, and see end-of-day updates for top movers in their Google Finance watchlist.
As part of today’s announcement, Google shared a few new features for Pixel Watch users, including an alert when they have left their phone behind somewhere. Pixel Watches can now automatically lock a phone when the user is out of range to prevent bad actors from accessing their device.
Pixel Watch 3 users can now also use gestures like a double pinch or wrist turn to answer calls, take photos, or pause workouts using just one hand.
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