Google's Tracking Gap: Why Top Trackers Need Extra Apps

Google's Find My Device network has been around for a while. It lets you see where your stuff is and ring it if it's close. But it's pretty basic. It doesn't have fancy features like telling you if you left something behind or letting you customize the ringtone. Other tracking systems, like Apple's, have these features. Even older Bluetooth trackers had them before Google's network existed. Two of the best trackers right now are the Chipolo POP and the Moto Tag. They have extra features, but you need to use their own apps to get them. This is because Google's network is so basic. These trackers still work with Google's network, but their own apps give you more options. The Moto Tag lets you choose a ringtone, set up a reverse-finding feature, use the tracker as a camera shutter, and update the firmware. The Chipolo POP has even more features. It has 12 ringtone choices, a flashlight for reverse-finding, a selfie shutter, and an out-of-range alert. These features are really useful. For example, the out-of-range alert can save you from walking away from your keys. And the reverse-ringing feature is great in a big house where you can't always find your phone. It's a bit disappointing that these trackers need their own apps for extra features. The whole point of Google's network was to avoid needing proprietary apps. But because Google's network is so basic, these trackers had to go their own way. This makes the network less useful and more complicated. It would be better if all trackers had these basic features built-in, so you didn't need extra apps. Google's network is supposed to unify tracking across Android devices. It wants to provide a large, reliable network and an easy base for companies to build their trackers. But right now, it's not living up to that promise. The Moto Tag and Chipolo POP are good examples of this. They need standalone apps because Google can't offer the basic features on its own. It would be great if the differences between trackers were about hardware, not software. That way, you wouldn't need extra apps for basic features.