It was only a year ago that Google rebranded its Find My Device network, but they’ve recently made even more changes that promise to revolutionize the user’s experience. Now, thanks to Google’s adoption of UWB technology, it seems that Find My Device, which is now known as Find Hub, might finally be on course to rival Apple’s Find My network. 

What Is UWB Precision, and Why Is It Important? 

Google’s update would have come and gone without major fanfare, had it not been for the announcement that it’s finally adding support for ultra-wideband (UWB). This technology, which was already available on Apple devices since 2021, offers superior location tracking, allowing users to track their devices to within a matter of centimeters. 

That might sound like a small difference compared with standard Bluetooth location tracking, but it can have a big impact. Imagine the ability to direct yourself to exactly where your friend is located within a crowded shopping mall, or knowing within a couple of centimeters where your car keys are. In the future, you’ll even be able to open your car and navigate your way using augmented reality using UWB technology. 

You don’t realize how much you need it until you have it, and that’s why many Android users have long looked at Apple users and wished for UWB integration with their own devices. Now, they finally have it — albeit with a few caveats. For one thing, only a small selection of Android devices have UWB capabilities, including:

• Google Pixel 6 Pro
• Google Pixel 7 Pro
• Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
• Samsung Galaxy S23 Series

Google’s relationship with UWB technology is still in its infancy, so we can expect that there will be a wave of new UWB-connected devices coming in the near future. 

How to Enable UWB in Find Hub 

You’ll need to enable UWB for any devices, such as your Moto Tag, within the Find Hub. Here are the instructions for enabling UWB for a Moto Tag, which is currently the only Google Find Hub device that has UWB technology.

• Ensure your Moto Tag app is up to date with the latest version.
• Head to the Find Hub app.
• Click your Moto Tag.
• Click ‘Find Nearby.’ 
• Follow the on-screen arrow that guides you to your Moto Tag. 

UWB vs Bluetooth Accuracy Comparison

Both Bluetooth and UWB can be used to find the location of devices, but they do so differently — and with different levels of precision. Bluetooth Low Energy offers an accuracy of around 3 – 5 meters, which is useful for discovering the broad location of a vehicle or individual. However, for instances when a greater level of precision is required, then UWB, which offers an accuracy of less than one meter, is more suitable. 

The downside of UWB is that, since it’s relatively new, adoption is pretty limited. With so few devices with UWB capabilities on the market, many developers, especially those that cater to the Android market, simply aren’t incorporating the technology into their products. However, Google’s new commitment to UWB precision suggests that may be about to change. One thing’s for sure, and that’s that UWB is the future of short-range communication.