# Google’s Find My Device Network: One Year Later, Has It Finally Found Its Footing?

## Google’s Find My Device Network: One Year Later, Has It Finally Found Its Footing?

A year after its less-than-stellar debut, Google’s Find My Device network is under the microscope. Launched with the promise of creating a robust Android-powered alternative to Apple’s AirTag, the initial rollout was hampered by a slow start and underwhelming reviews. But a year is an eternity in the tech world, and Google has consistently pledged improvements. So, has the Find My Device network finally lived up to its potential?

According to recent testing, the answer is a qualified yes. The experiment involved evaluating the latest trackers from the primary manufacturers utilizing Google’s network: Pebblebee, Chipolo, and Motorola. Notably, Google doesn’t currently offer its own Pixel or Nest-branded tracker, and Samsung continues to rely on its SmartThings Find network for its SmartTags. For comparative analysis, an Apple AirTag and a Tile tracker were also included to benchmark Google’s performance against established competitors.

The results indicate a significant improvement over the past year. In optimal conditions – think bustling urban environments with stationary trackers – Google’s network holds its own against both Apple and Tile. The technology proves reliable in densely populated areas where signal strength and network density are higher.

However, the story changes when conditions become more challenging. The investigation revealed a notable performance gap in rural settings and when tracking moving objects. In these scenarios, the network’s limitations become apparent, and the competition maintains a distinct advantage.

While Google’s Find My Device network has made strides in the past year, it still has ground to cover to truly rival the capabilities of Apple’s AirTag and Tile, especially in more demanding tracking scenarios. The network has improved and it now performs just as well in ideal conditions, but there’s still a gap in tougher environments. To read the full analysis, check out The Verge’s complete report.