Latest news with #FindMyDevice
CNET
09-07-2025
- Business
- CNET
I Love Chipolo's Android-Friendly Alternative to AirTags, and They're on Sale for Amazon Prime Day
Amazon Prime Day sale: You can find great deals on just about everything during Amazon's Prime Day event, including the Chipolo One Point trackers. Right now on Amazon, they're 15% off, making one tag $24, and a four-pack $75. You can find better deals directly from Chipolo's website, but they're currently showing as out of stock. This is likely to be a limited-time deal, so we suggest ordering your new trackers now to ensure you get these prices. We're big fans of Apple's AirTag item trackers -- they're handy for tracking everything from keys to cars. But if you're an Android user, there's no use spending your money on an incompatible AirTag. However, Apple is far from the only company that makes Bluetooth trackers, and Android users have some options that are just as good. I especially like the One Point, which Chipolo released in 2024. The One Point is a Bluetooth tracker that uses Google's own crowdsourced Find My Device network of over 1 billion Android devices. It works in a similar way to Apple's Find My network to help you easily locate your keys, wallet, luggage, backpack, car or other items that are easy to misplace. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Taking advantage of Google's tracking network means besides using your own phone to locate the One Point tracker -- with the Find My Device app -- you can tap into all the other Android devices around you, from friends and strangers alike (completely privately), to better track your item, no matter where it is or how far from the item you are. For more, here's why you shouldn't put an AirTag on a pet and five unexpected places to use a tracker. How does the Chipolo One Point tracker work? The tiny plastic tracker, which weighs relatively nothing, is about an inch and a half in diameter, roughly the size of those old Eisenhower dollar coins (I'm showing my age). Unlike the Apple AirTag, the One Point also has a built-in keyring hole, so you don't need to buy an accessory to clip the tracker to your item. All you need is a key ring. This is the Chipolo One Point tracker on my keychain. Nelson Aguilar/CNET Once your One Point is connected to your phone, you can check the location of your tracked item with Google's Find My Device app. You can easily see where the tracker is on a map, and your distance from it. If you can't find the tracker with your eyes, you can always force it to make a pretty loud sound (120db), so that you can easily hear where it is, even if it's under a pile of clothing. The battery life is about a year, but you can easily open the tracker (there's a tiny hole on the side) to replace the CR2032 battery. You can buy a 10-pack of CR2032 batteries for $6, and Chipolo says that should last you a decade. If you're placing your tracker on something shared, like a large piece of check-in luggage for you and your family, you can share the information with a loved one so that you can both keep an eye on the tracker from separate Android devices. Why this deal matters Taking advantage of Google's tracking network means that besides using your own phone to locate the One Point tracker -- with the Find My Device app -- you can tap into all the other Android devices around you, from friends and strangers alike (completely privately), to better track your item, no matter where it is or how far from the item you are. Doing all that while saving money is just an added bonus. Why should you get the Chipolo One Point over the AirTag? There's really only one reason why you should get the Chipolo One Point tracker, and that's if you own an Android device. The Chipolo One Point is made specifically for Android phones and tablets and works with Google's Find My Device app. If you own an Android, you definitely don't want an AirTag, mainly because there's no way to connect an AirTag to an Android device. If you've got a mix of Apple and Android devices, there are also a few other reasons to choose the Chipolo One over an AirTag: The Chipolo One is cheaper than the AirTag . Only by a dollar, but still. . Only by a dollar, but still. The Chipolo One has a built-in key ring hole . The AirTag doesn't have a key ring hole, so you'll need to buy an accessory, which ends up making the AirTag a more expensive purchase. . The AirTag doesn't have a key ring hole, so you'll need to buy an accessory, which ends up making the AirTag a more expensive purchase. There is a card version of the Chipolo. The Card Point is a card tracker that's specifically designed for your wallet. There is no AirTag card tracker at the moment. If you're on Android, you can't use an AirTag anyway. Nelson Aguilar/CNET How to set up your Chipolo One Point tracker Right out of the box, all you need to do is press in your Chipolo One Point (you'll hear a pretty loud sound coming from the tiny device) and then place the tracker next to your phone. Your Android device will automatically detect the tracker, as long as you have the Find My Device app downloaded. The pop-up on your screen will walk you through all the instructions for setup, which includes linking the device to your email account, agreeing to be part of Google's Find My Device network and enabling recent locations for offline devices. If you don't have the Google Find My Device app, download it here. Screenshots by Nelson Aguilar/CNET All in all, the setup takes under a minute. And then you can keep track of your item from the comfort of your phone. Just don't lose your phone.
CNET
09-07-2025
- Business
- CNET
I Love Chipolo's Android-Friendly Alternative to AirTags, and It's Sale Right Now for Amazon's Prime Day
Amazon Prime Day sale: You can find great deals on just about everything during Amazon's Prime Day event, including the Chipolo One Point trackers. Right now on Amazon, they're 15% off, making one tag $24, and a four-pack $75. You can find better deals directly from Chipolo's website, but they're currently showing as out of stock. This is likely to be a limited-time deal, so we suggest ordering your new trackers now to ensure you get these prices. We're big fans of Apple's AirTag item trackers -- they're handy for tracking everything from keys to cars. But if you're an Android user, there's no use spending your money on an incompatible AirTag. However, Apple is far from the only company that makes Bluetooth trackers, and Android users have some options that are just as good. I especially like the One Point, which Chipolo released in 2024. The One Point is a Bluetooth tracker that uses Google's own crowdsourced Find My Device network of over 1 billion Android devices. It works in a similar way to Apple's Find My network to help you easily locate your keys, wallet, luggage, backpack, car or other items that are easy to misplace. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Taking advantage of Google's tracking network means besides using your own phone to locate the One Point tracker -- with the Find My Device app -- you can tap into all the other Android devices around you, from friends and strangers alike (completely privately), to better track your item, no matter where it is or how far from the item you are. For more, here's why you shouldn't put an AirTag on a pet and five unexpected places to use a tracker. How does the Chipolo One Point tracker work? The tiny plastic tracker, which weighs relatively nothing, is about an inch and a half in diameter, roughly the size of those old Eisenhower dollar coins (I'm showing my age). Unlike the Apple AirTag, the One Point also has a built-in keyring hole, so you don't need to buy an accessory to clip the tracker to your item. All you need is a key ring. This is the Chipolo One Point tracker on my keychain. Nelson Aguilar/CNET Once your One Point is connected to your phone, you can check the location of your tracked item with Google's Find My Device app. You can easily see where the tracker is on a map, and your distance from it. If you can't find the tracker with your eyes, you can always force it to make a pretty loud sound (120db), so that you can easily hear where it is, even if it's under a pile of clothing. The battery life is about a year, but you can easily open the tracker (there's a tiny hole on the side) to replace the CR2032 battery. You can buy a 10-pack of CR2032 batteries for $6, and Chipolo says that should last you a decade. If you're placing your tracker on something shared, like a large piece of check-in luggage for you and your family, you can share the information with a loved one so that you can both keep an eye on the tracker from separate Android devices. Why this deal matters Taking advantage of Google's tracking network means that besides using your own phone to locate the One Point tracker -- with the Find My Device app -- you can tap into all the other Android devices around you, from friends and strangers alike (completely privately), to better track your item, no matter where it is or how far from the item you are. Doing all that while saving money is just an added bonus. Why should you get the Chipolo One Point over the AirTag? There's really only one reason why you should get the Chipolo One Point tracker, and that's if you own an Android device. The Chipolo One Point is made specifically for Android phones and tablets and works with Google's Find My Device app. If you own an Android, you definitely don't want an AirTag, mainly because there's no way to connect an AirTag to an Android device. If you've got a mix of Apple and Android devices, there are also a few other reasons to choose the Chipolo One over an AirTag: The Chipolo One is cheaper than the AirTag . Only by a dollar, but still. . Only by a dollar, but still. The Chipolo One has a built-in key ring hole . The AirTag doesn't have a key ring hole, so you'll need to buy an accessory, which ends up making the AirTag a more expensive purchase. . The AirTag doesn't have a key ring hole, so you'll need to buy an accessory, which ends up making the AirTag a more expensive purchase. There is a card version of the Chipolo. The Card Point is a card tracker that's specifically designed for your wallet. There is no AirTag card tracker at the moment. If you're on Android, you can't use an AirTag anyway. Nelson Aguilar/CNET How to set up your Chipolo One Point tracker Right out of the box, all you need to do is press in your Chipolo One Point (you'll hear a pretty loud sound coming from the tiny device) and then place the tracker next to your phone. Your Android device will automatically detect the tracker, as long as you have the Find My Device app downloaded. The pop-up on your screen will walk you through all the instructions for setup, which includes linking the device to your email account, agreeing to be part of Google's Find My Device network and enabling recent locations for offline devices. If you don't have the Google Find My Device app, download it here. Screenshots by Nelson Aguilar/CNET All in all, the setup takes under a minute. And then you can keep track of your item from the comfort of your phone. Just don't lose your phone.
Indian Express
01-07-2025
- Indian Express
YouTuber Kanika Devrani claims she was drugged, robbed in AC coach, netizens air safety concerns
YouTuber and travel vlogger Kanika Devrani has claimed that she was drugged and robbed while travelling on the Brahmaputra Mail from Delhi to Assam on June 26. In a viral Instagram reel captioned 'Travel safe', Devrani shared that after a blackout moment, she realised that her iPhone was missing when the train halted at New Jalpaiguri Railway Station in West Bengal. Watch here: A post shared by Kannu Priya (@kanika_devrani) The vlogger alleged that a stranger, allegedly without a ticket, entered the 2AC compartment where she was seated, spoke to several passengers while crossing the coach, and sprayed a sedative on her. Devrani also claimed that her co-passenger had a similar experience and lost his mobile phone. 'As First class AC tickets weren't available, I had booked a 2nd AC ticket from New Delhi to Guwahati on Brahmaputra Mail. I was of the opinion that it is all safe. The train had halted at New Jalpaiguri station in West Bengal, I was asleep and my phone was put under the charge,' the YouTuber said on June 27, recounting the incident. 'Someone came to my berth, my phone was under my pillow, and took it. First of all, how can the Railways staff let in someone unknown without a ticket? I don't know who the person is,' Priya added. She also alleged that the Railway Protection Force (RPF) did not cooperate with her despite knowing her lost phone's location. The Find My Device app tracked her phone's live location to West Bengal's Malda. On X, she tagged @WBPolice and @malda_police on X, urging them to take action. Social media users have expressed safety concerns soon after the video came to light. 'Feeling so sad to hear that .. need to be more careful and the government should do something,' a user commented. 'Very sad to see this and thank god you're safe kanika. @ @railminindia Is it that easy that anyone can enter the 2S class without the ticket even under the supervision of your employers? This is the safety you're providing to your passengers and especially to females? You must look into this matter and take action as quickly as possible,' another person wrote.
NDTV
30-06-2025
- NDTV
Railways Reacts To YouTuber's Claim That She Was Drugged, Robbed In 2AC Coach
Indian Railways responded to shocking allegations made by Kanika Devrani, a travel vlogger, that she was drugged and robbed in a 2AC coach of the Brahmaputra Mail while travelling from Delhi to Guwahati. The incident apparently happened when the train halted at New Jalpaiguri Junction Railway Station (NJP) in West Bengal. She claimed that her co-passengers were also looted. Posting a video on Instagram, she claimed that a passenger who was in the upper seat sprayed something on her. "I couldn't sense anything". She added that she had a conversation with that man as he was asking for seat numbers. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kannu Priya (@kanika_devrani) Responding to the video, Railway Seva (@RailwaySeva), wrote, "For necessary action escalated to the concerned official." What did Kanika Devrani say? In the video, labelled "Indian Railway is not safe", she claimed that a stranger without a ticket allegedly boarded the 2AC coach at New Jalpaiguri Junction Railway Station and sprayed something, knocking Devrani and another passenger unconscious. When she regained consciousness, her iPhone 15 Pro Max was missing. "As First class AC tickets weren't available, I had booked a 2nd AC ticket from New Delhi to Guwahati on Brahmaputra Mail. I was of the opinion that it is all safe. The train had halted at New Jalpaiguri station in West Bengal, I was asleep and my phone was put under the charge," she said. "Someone came to my berth, my phone was under my pillow, and took it. First of all, how can the Railways staff let in someone unknown without a ticket? I don't know who the person is." Devrani used the Find My Device app to track her phone's live location, which showed it was in West Bengal's Malda. She tagged @WBPolice and @malda_police on X, urging them to take action. Kanika alleged that the police and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) were uncooperative, despite knowing the phone's live location. Social media raised concerns about passenger safety The incident has raised concerns about passenger safety on trains, particularly in 2AC coaches. Many social media users have demanded better security measures, including CCTV cameras in coaches and increased patrols during unscheduled stops. "It's sad but it's hard truth of India ..very sad to listen this," one user commented on Devrani's video. Another said, "Is it that easy that anyone can enter the 2S class without the ticket even under the supervision of your employers? This is the safety you're providing to your passengers and especially to females? You must look into this matter and take action as quickly as possible."
Android Authority
25-06-2025
- Android Authority
Google's Find Hub network is unreliable, but this simple change could fix it
Andy Walker / Android Authority TL;DR Google could improve its Find Hub network by convincing users during device setup to select a more reliable, but less private, tracking option. This new setup screen rebrands the existing network options to better explain that the default option may be less reliable, while the alternative can find items anywhere. By getting more people to choose the more effective setting, Google aims to make its network a more dependable alternative to Apple's and Samsung's. If you're worried about losing an important possession, you can attach a Bluetooth tracker to it and monitor its location using an item tracking network. For Android users, the most convenient option is Google's Find Hub network, as it's built into nearly every Android device. However, the network has a major drawback: it's not as reliable as its competitors. Fortunately, Google is working on a subtle change to the setup process that could make Find Hub far more dependable. You're reading an Authority Insights story. Discover Authority Insights for more exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage you won't find anywhere else. Find Hub, formerly Find My Device, helps you pinpoint the location of your devices and contacts. It locates items in one of two ways: either the device reports its own location, or another nearby device in the network reports it. While smartphones and tablets can share their own location when they have an Internet connection, they must rely on the crowd-sourced network when they're offline. The same is true for Bluetooth trackers. In theory, as long as other network participants pass by your lost item, its location will be updated. Andy Walker / Android Authority Because billions of devices are on the network, location updates should be frequent. Unfortunately, our testing shows that Google's Find Hub is much less reliable than Apple or even Samsung's item tracking networks. All three crowdsource location data in very similar ways, but Google's network has one key difference. By default, Find Hub won't report a lost item's location if only a single device passes by it. The network requires multiple nearby devices to confirm a location before reporting it. While this measure helps protect against misuse by stalkers, it also makes the network less reliable for tracking items outside of high-traffic areas like airports or shopping centers. To fix this, Google could align Find Hub's default setting with Apple and Samsung's networks, but the company is hesitant to force this choice on users. Instead, Google is asking people to change the setting themselves within the Find Hub app. However, most users either don't bother changing defaults or are unaware the option exists, so the vast majority likely remain on the less effective setting. The current page for selecting Find Hub's network option Instead of hoping users find and enable Find Hub's more reliable setting, Google is now taking a more proactive approach. According to its 'Google System Services Release Notes' page, the company is rolling out an update to Google Play Services (version 25.24) that prompts users to configure Find Hub during device setup. While this new setup screen isn't widely available yet, we managed to surface it manually. The page, titled 'Find your device and help others too,' explains that 'the Find Hub network crowdsources locations from billions of Android devices… to help find lost items like phones and tags.' It presents two network options with toggles: Findable everywhere : This is the more reliable option, renamed from the existing 'with network in all areas.' : This is the more reliable option, renamed from the existing 'with network in all areas.' Findable in busy places only: This is the new name for the default setting, previously called 'with network in high-traffic areas only.' Functionally, nothing has changed besides the names and descriptions. However, the new names and descriptions could convince more people to select the more reliable option. While the old wording merely implied that the default setting was less effective in remote areas, the new phrasing makes that limitation explicit. A 'learn more' button at the bottom of the page opens a dialog to help users make a more informed choice. This dialog clarifies that the 'findable in busy places only' option 'provides additional privacy protection in remote areas.' Ultimately, presenting this choice during setup should boost adoption of Find Hub's more reliable setting, making it a more viable alternative to Samsung's SmartThings Find and Apple's Find My networks. Alongside this new setup prompt, Google is also preparing to auto-enroll more users in Find Hub. Find Hub currently activates when you add a Google Account, but evidence we uncovered in March suggests this will expand to when a user enables location access. While these newly enrolled users will default to the less reliable setting, their participation will still help grow the network, and they can always switch to the more reliable option on their own. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
