Android's Find My Device Can Now Let You Track Your Friends – and I'm Not Sure if That's Cool or Creepy
Google has added a new people tracking feature to its Find My Device, allowing users to share their location with friends and family via the People tab. This feature is currently in beta and provides a convenient way to quickly locate loved ones, but raises concerns about digital privacy and stalking. The feature includes digital protections, such as alerts when tracking is enabled and automatic detection of unknown trackers.
On one hand, this new feature could be a game-changer for organizing meetups or keeping track of family members in emergency situations, highlighting the potential benefits of location sharing for everyday life.
But on the other hand, how do we balance the convenience of sharing our locations with friends and family against the risks of being tracked without consent, especially when it comes to potential exploitation by malicious actors?
Google is now making it easier to delete your personal information from search results, allowing users to request removal directly from the search engine itself. Previously, this process required digging deep into settings menus, but now users can find and remove their information with just a few clicks. The streamlined process uses Google's "Results about you" tool, which was introduced several years ago but was not easily accessible.
This change reflects a growing trend of tech companies prioritizing user control over personal data and online presence, with significant implications for individuals' digital rights and online reputation.
As more people take advantage of this feature, will we see a shift towards a culture where online anonymity is the norm, or will governments and institutions find ways to reclaim their ability to track and monitor individual activity?
A new exploit can track any Bluetooth device using Apple's Find My network, allowing hackers to locate almost any Bluetooth-enabled device's location without its owner knowing. The attack can be done remotely in just a few minutes, and researchers have found that their method had a 90% success rate. This vulnerability could allow scammers to track devices remotely, potentially leading to identity theft or further malicious activities.
This exploit highlights the importance of software updates and vigilance in protecting personal devices from cyber threats, as even seemingly secure systems can be vulnerable to attack.
How will this new exploit impact consumers' trust in the security measures provided by Apple and other technology companies, and what steps will these companies take to address the issue?
Google has announced several changes to its widgets system on Android that will make it easier for app developers to reach their users. The company is preparing to roll out new features to Android phones, tablets, and foldable devices, as well as on Google Play, aimed at improving widget discovery. These updates include a new visual badge that displays on an app's detail page and a dedicated search filter to help users find apps with widgets.
By making it easier for users to discover and download apps with widgets, Google is poised to further enhance the Android home screen experience, potentially leading to increased engagement and user retention among developers.
Will this move by Google lead to a proliferation of high-quality widget-enabled apps on the Play Store, or will it simply result in more widgets cluttering users' homescreens?
Google Photos provides users with various tools to efficiently locate specific images and videos within a vast collection, making it easier to navigate through a potentially overwhelming library. Features such as facial recognition allow users to search for photos by identifying people or pets, while organizational tools help streamline the search process. By enabling face grouping and utilizing the search functions available on both web and mobile apps, users can significantly enhance their experience in managing their photo archives.
The ability to search by person or pet highlights the advancements in AI technology, enabling more personalized and intuitive user experiences in digital photo management.
What additional features could Google Photos implement to further improve the search functionality for users with extensive photo collections?
Google's latest Pixel Drop update for March brings significant enhancements to Pixel phones, including an AI-driven scam detection feature for calls and the ability to share live locations with friends. The update also introduces new functionalities for Pixel Watches and Android devices, such as improved screenshot management and enhanced multimedia capabilities with the Gemini Live assistant. These updates reflect Google's commitment to integrating advanced AI technologies while improving user connectivity and safety.
The incorporation of AI to tackle issues like scam detection highlights the tech industry's increasing reliance on machine learning to enhance daily user experiences, potentially reshaping how consumers interact with their devices.
How might the integration of AI in everyday communication tools influence user privacy and security perceptions in the long term?
Google Maps is the first app to adopt Android 16's new Live Updates feature, allowing users to see real-time information on their status bar and lock screen. The feature provides a new class of notifications that help users monitor ongoing activities, such as estimated time to arrival or turn times. This move expands the capabilities of Live Updates, which were previously introduced in Android 16's beta release.
As Google Maps begins to utilize live update notifications, it raises questions about how this technology will be integrated into other apps and services, potentially changing the way we interact with information on our devices.
What role will Android 16's Live Updates play in enabling new forms of augmented reality and interactive experiences on mobile devices?
Google's latest move to integrate its various apps through an AI-powered platform may finally deliver on the promise of a seamless user experience. The new app, dubbed Pixel Sense, will reportedly collect data from nearly every Google app and use it to provide contextual suggestions as users navigate their phone. By leveraging this vast repository of user data, Pixel Sense aims to predict user needs without being prompted, potentially revolutionizing the way people interact with their smartphones.
This ambitious approach to personalized experience management raises questions about the balance between convenience and privacy, highlighting the need for clear guidelines on how user data will be used by AI-powered apps.
Will Google's emphasis on data-driven insights lead to a new era of "smart" phones that prioritize utility over user autonomy, or can such approaches be harnessed to augment human agency rather than undermine it?
Google's Pixel phones include numerous thoughtful features you don't get on other phones, like Now Playing. This feature can identify background music from the lock screen, but unlike some similar song identifiers, it works even without an internet connection. Google has indicated that a fix is ready for deployment, and Pixel users can expect to see it in a future OS update.
The failure of this feature highlights the tension between innovation and maintenance in software development, where popular features are often pushed aside in favor of new releases.
How will the revamped Now Playing feature impact the overall user experience on Google Pixels, particularly for those who rely heavily on its offline capabilities?
A little-known phone surveillance operation called Spyzie has compromised more than half a million Android devices and thousands of iPhones and iPads, according to data shared by a security researcher. Most of the affected device owners are likely unaware that their phone data has been compromised. The bug allows anyone to access the phone data, including messages, photos, and location data, exfiltrated from any device compromised by Spyzie.
This breach highlights how vulnerable consumer phone surveillance apps can be, even those with little online presence, underscoring the need for greater scrutiny of app security and developer accountability.
As more consumers rely on these apps to monitor their children or partners, will governments and regulatory bodies take sufficient action to address the growing threat of stalkerware, or will it continue to exploit its users?
Warehouse-style employee-tracking technologies are being implemented in office settings, creating a concerning shift in workplace surveillance. As companies like JP Morgan Chase and Amazon mandate a return to in-person work, the integration of sophisticated monitoring systems raises ethical questions about employee privacy and autonomy. This trend, spurred by economic pressures and the rise of AI, indicates a worrying trajectory where productivity metrics could overshadow the human aspects of work.
The expansion of surveillance technology in the workplace reflects a broader societal shift towards quantifying all aspects of productivity, potentially compromising the well-being of employees in the process.
What safeguards should be implemented to protect employee privacy in an increasingly monitored workplace environment?
Apple plans to introduce a feature that lets parents share their kids' age ranges with apps, as part of new child safety features rolling out this year. The company argues that this approach balances user safety and privacy concerns by not requiring users to hand over sensitive personally identifying information. The new system will allow developers to request age ranges from parents if needed.
This move could be seen as a compromise between platform responsibility for verifying ages and the need for app developers to have some control over their own data collection and usage practices.
How will the introduction of this feature impact the long-term effectiveness of age verification in the app industry, particularly in light of growing concerns about user data exploitation?
Google's latest Pixel Drop introduces significant enhancements for both Pixel and non-Pixel devices, including AI-powered scam detection for text messages and expanded satellite messaging capabilities. The Pixel 9 series gains new features like simultaneous video recording from multiple cameras, enhancing mobile content creation. Additionally, the AI scam detection feature will be available on all supported Android devices, providing broader protection against fraudulent communications.
This update illustrates Google's commitment to enhancing user experience through innovative technology while also addressing security concerns across a wider range of devices.
Will the expansion of these features to non-Pixel devices encourage more users to adopt Android, or will it create a divide between Pixel and other Android experiences?
Google is making some changes to Google Play on Android devices to better highlight apps that include widgets, according to a blog post. The changes include a new search filter for widgets, widget badges on app detail pages, and a curated editorial page dedicated to widgets. Historically, one of the challenges with investing in widget development has been discoverability and user understanding, but Google aims to justify this effort by user adoption.
As users increasingly turn to their devices' home screens as an interface for managing their digital lives, the importance of intuitive widget discovery will only continue to grow.
Will Google's efforts to promote widgets ultimately lead to a proliferation of cluttered and overwhelming home screens, or will it enable more efficient and effective app usage?
Google has released a major software update for Pixel smartphones that enables satellite connectivity for European Pixel 9 owners. The latest Feature Drop also improves screenshot management and AI features, such as generating images with people using artificial intelligence. Furthermore, the Weather app now offers pollen tracking and an AI-powered weather forecast in more countries, expanding user convenience.
This upgrade marks a significant step towards enhancing mobile connectivity and user experience, potentially bridging gaps in rural or underserved areas where traditional networks may be limited.
How will the integration of satellite connectivity impact data security and consumer privacy concerns in the long term?
Google's latest March 2025 feature drop for Pixel phones introduces ten significant upgrades, enhancing functionality across the entire Pixel lineup. Notable features include real-time scam detection for text messages, loss of pulse detection on the Pixel Watch 3, and the ability to share live location with trusted contacts. These improvements not only elevate user experience but also reflect Google's commitment to integrating health and safety features into its devices.
The rollout of these features demonstrates a strategic shift towards prioritizing user safety and health management, potentially setting new standards for competitors in the smartphone market.
How will the introduction of advanced health features influence consumer preferences and the future development of wearable technology?
A recent discovery has revealed that Spyzie, another stalkerware app similar to Cocospy and Spyic, is leaking sensitive data of millions of people without their knowledge or consent. The researcher behind the finding claims that exploiting these flaws is "quite simple" and that they haven't been addressed yet. This highlights the ongoing threat posed by spyware apps, which are often marketed as legitimate monitoring tools but operate in a grey zone.
The widespread availability of spyware apps underscores the need for greater regulation and awareness about mobile security, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
What measures can be taken to prevent the proliferation of these types of malicious apps and protect users from further exploitation?
GlocalMe has unveiled the PetPhone, a smartphone collar designed specifically for pets, which can recognize actions such as barking and alert owners to unusual behavior. The device features tracking sensors that leverage GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth to monitor pets' locations in real-time, providing owners with peace of mind. The PetPhone's AI-based action recognition capabilities also enable the detection of activities like running, eating, or sleeping.
By integrating cutting-edge technology into a wearable device for pets, GlocalMe is not only addressing the needs of pet owners but also expanding the boundaries of what we consider 'smart' devices in our homes.
As the PetPhone becomes more widespread, will it raise concerns about surveillance and data collection practices in our personal lives, particularly when it comes to the sensitive information shared by pet owners?
Amnesty International said that Google fixed previously unknown flaws in Android that allowed authorities to unlock phones using forensic tools. On Friday, Amnesty International published a report detailing a chain of three zero-day vulnerabilities developed by phone-unlocking company Cellebrite, which its researchers found after investigating the hack of a student protester’s phone in Serbia. The flaws were found in the core Linux USB kernel, meaning “the vulnerability is not limited to a particular device or vendor and could impact over a billion Android devices,” according to the report.
This highlights the ongoing struggle for individuals exercising their fundamental rights, particularly freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, who are vulnerable to government hacking due to unpatched vulnerabilities in widely used technologies.
What regulations or international standards would be needed to prevent governments from exploiting these types of vulnerabilities to further infringe on individual privacy and security?
Two new features are likely to be introduced on the Google Pixel 10 with the release of Android 16, including widgets on the lock screen and support for external displays. Android expert Mishaal Rahman has managed to manually activate these features in advance, revealing how they will enhance user experience. The introduction of these features is part of Google's strategy to position Android as a replacement for classic desktop operating systems.
This represents an opportunity for device manufacturers to further differentiate their offerings and create new use cases for smartphones that go beyond the typical mobile phone experience.
Will the integration of widgets on the lock screen and support for external displays lead to a significant shift in how people interact with their Android devices, particularly in terms of productivity and multitasking?
Google's security measures have been breached by fake spyware apps, which are hidden in plain sight on the Google Play Store. These malicious apps can cause immense damage to users' devices and personal data, including data theft, financial fraud, malware infections, ransomware attacks, and rootkit vulnerabilities. As a result, it is crucial for smartphone users to take precautions to spot these fake spyware apps and protect themselves from potential harm.
The lack of awareness about fake spyware apps among smartphone users underscores the need for better cybersecurity education, particularly among older generations who may be more susceptible to social engineering tactics.
Can Google's Play Store policies be improved to prevent similar breaches in the future, or will these types of malicious apps continue to evade detection?
Google's recent software update has introduced several camera features across its Pixel devices, including the ability to take a picture by holding your palm up, improved performance for older phones, and new functionality for Pixel Fold users. The update also brings haptic feedback changes that some users are finding annoyingly intense. Despite these updates, Google is still working on several key features.
This unexpected change in haptic feedback highlights the importance of user experience testing and feedback loops in software development.
Will Google's efforts to fine-tune its camera features be enough to address the growing competition in the smartphone camera market?
Google has introduced two AI-driven features for Android devices aimed at detecting and mitigating scam activity in text messages and phone calls. The scam detection for messages analyzes ongoing conversations for suspicious behavior in real-time, while the phone call feature issues alerts during potential scam calls, enhancing user protection. Both features prioritize user privacy and are designed to combat increasingly sophisticated scams that utilize AI technologies.
This proactive approach by Google reflects a broader industry trend towards leveraging artificial intelligence for consumer protection, raising questions about the future of cybersecurity in an era dominated by digital threats.
How effective will these AI-powered detection methods be in keeping pace with the evolving tactics of scammers?
Worried about your child’s screen time? HMD wants to help. A recent study by Nokia phone maker found that over half of teens surveyed are worried about their addiction to smartphones and 52% have been approached by strangers online. HMD's new smartphone, the Fusion X1, aims to address these issues with parental control features, AI-powered content detection, and a detox mode.
This innovative approach could potentially redefine the relationship between teenagers and their parents when it comes to smartphone usage, shifting the focus from restrictive measures to proactive, tech-driven solutions that empower both parties.
As screen time addiction becomes an increasingly pressing concern among young people, how will future smartphones and mobile devices be designed to promote healthy habits and digital literacy in this generation?
Google's recent change to its Google Photos API is causing problems for digital photo frame owners who rely on automatic updates to display new photos. The update aims to make user data more private, but it's breaking the auto-sync feature that allowed frames like Aura and Cozyla to update their slideshows seamlessly. This change will force users to manually add new photos to their frames' albums.
The decision by Google to limit app access to photo libraries highlights the tension between data privacy and the convenience of automated features, a trade-off that may become increasingly important in future technological advancements.
Will other tech companies follow suit and restrict app access to user data, or will they find alternative solutions to balance privacy with innovation?
The Google Pixel Watch 2 and Pixel Watch 3 have received a major update with the latest feature drop, introducing practical new features such as menstrual health tracking via the Fitbit app, an improved pedometer, and an automatic sleep mode. The update aims to improve accuracy in step counting and calorie burn calculations, particularly for users who engage in activities that affect pedometer readings. Menstrual cycle tracking is also available directly within the Fitbit app, allowing users to track their periods and receive predictions about their next period.
This expansion of wearable features highlights the evolving role of smartwatches as a platform for tracking health and wellness metrics, blurring the lines between personal and public health data.
As wearables continue to advance in their ability to monitor and influence physical activity, how will users navigate the ethics and potential biases inherent in these technologies?