Latest news with #Sounding
Mint
a day ago
- Mint
Google Pixel Watch 3 becomes first Android watch with channel sounding Bluetooth tracking
Google's Pixel Watch 3 is quietly raising the bar for Android smartwatches. Released with the Wear OS 5.1 update in March 2024, it's the first watch on the platform to include Channel Sounding, a Bluetooth feature that measures the exact time it takes a signal to travel between devices. This approach delivers far more precise tracking than older Bluetooth methods that only guess distance based on signal strength. The hardware already supports it, but the feature still depends on more devices adopting the same technology before it becomes part of daily use. Channel Sounding is a Bluetooth technology designed to calculate distance between two devices measuring how long it takes a signal to travel back and forth between. Unlike older Bluetooth methods that only estimate distance based on signal strength (which can be unreliable), Channel Sounding uses precise timing data. This allows devices like the Pixel Watch 3 to show correct information about how close you are to something you're trying to find. For example, if you drop a set of earbuds behind your sofa, Channel Sounding can show you precisely how far away they are, instead of giving you a vague indication that they are in the same room. It provides the exact location, helping you find small devices like earbuds in minutes. Find My Device feature shows you where your lost item was last seen on a map, like in your office, in your car or somewhere inside your home. It gives you the general area but doesn't pinpoint the exact spot within that space. Channel Sounding helps you when you are near your device. If you're standing in your living room, it can guide you step by step and tell you the earbuds are one metre away, like under the sofa cushion. So, in short, the Find my device feature tells you which room to search and Channel Sounding guides you to the specific spot in the room. This combination of features could make finding lost items much easier for people who often misplace small things at home or work. While Find My Device gives you a good idea of where to start looking, Channel Sounding can help you finish the search quickly by pointing out the exact distance. Right now, even though Google's Pixel Watch 3 has the technology ready, you can't fully use this feature yet. The main reason is that Channel Sounding requires other devices that can communicate with your smartwatch using the same Bluetooth technology. These could be future smartphones, trackers, or other accessories that haven't come out yet. Google has not shared a clear timeline for when this technology will be ready to use in everyday situations, but it has confirmed that more products will add support over time. However, including Channel Sounding now means Google's Pixel Watch 3 is prepared for the future. As more accessories and Android devices start supporting this system, people will gradually see the benefits of faster, more accurate tracking. In the coming months, anyone interested in this technology should keep an eye on announcements about new accessories and updates that will help enable precise tracking. For now, Pixel Watch 3 owners will need to wait for compatible devices to be released before they can try Channel Sounding in real world scenarios. The Pixel Watch 3 already has the tech to help you find lost things more easily. You can't use it yet, but it shows the direction Android is going. As more devices add Channel Sounding, tracking will get more accurate and helpful for everyone.
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Business Standard
Google's Pixel Watch 3 skips UWB, uses Bluetooth tracking instead: Report
Google's Pixel Watch 3 reportedly uses a Bluetooth-based tracking feature called Channel Sounding for precise location tracking, rather than the Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology. According to The Verge, the feature is active but not effectively used since it requires more compatible devices. The feature was introduced with the Wear OS 5.1 update rolled out in March. It enables the Pixel Watch 3 to locate devices like smartphones, earbuds or other wearables with greater accuracy. What is Channel Sounding? Channel Sounding is part of the Bluetooth 6.0 standard, announced in September 2024. Unlike traditional Bluetooth tracking that relies on signal strength (which can be affected by obstacles like walls or furniture), Channel Sounding measures the time it takes for multiple signals – sent at varying frequencies – to travel between devices. This allows for: Although the Pixel Watch 3 supports Channel Sounding, it remains unused for now as it requires multiple devices with the same capability to be effective. Broader adoption is expected with the launch of more Bluetooth 6.0-enabled devices, including the upcoming Pixel Watch 4 in August 2025. Why Channel Sounding and not UWB (ultrawide-band) UWB offers precision tracking, but requires a dedicated chip and antenna that adds to the cost. In contrast, Channel Sounding can deliver comparable results using standard Bluetooth hardware already present in most modern smartphones and wearables. In essence, Google's approach offers the promise of precise, without the added cost or complexity of UWB. Important to note, the Pixel Watch 3 has the UWB hardware.
Belfast Telegraph
19-06-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Derry to Dublin air route expected to re-open ‘next year', says Irish minister
Foyle MP Colum Eastwood tonight has welcomed progress on the restoration of the route following a meeting between Irish Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien and City of Derry Airport today. Mr O'Brien has confirmed that he expects services to commence later in 2026. Mr Eastwood said: 'This is great news for Derry and it's another important part of enhancing connectivity between every part of the island to drive investment, create jobs and deliver more opportunities for people in the North West. 'The Irish Government set out a clear and positive commitment to establish a new public service obligation route between Derry and Dublin in the Programme for Government this year and I am delighted that Minister Darragh O'Brien and others have wasted no time in rolling up their sleeves and getting to work. 'This is a great example of how prioritising investment across our shared island can deliver for people and communities in every part of Ireland. I'm looking forward to continuing to work with the Minister and the whole Irish Government to deliver on shared priorities.' Earlier, Mr O'Brien met with the Chief Executive of Derry City and Strabane District Council John Kelpie and management of City of Derry Airport. They discussed the progress to date on the service between Dublin and Derry City airports, and the preparatory work under way. Mr O'Brien said: 'In the context of building our shared Island, the Programme for Government includes a very clear commitment to engage with relevant stakeholders to establish air connectivity between Dublin and Derry City airports. "We had a very constructive meeting today on progressing this commitment, and once the preparatory work is completed, I expect services will commence later in 2026 following a procurement process.' Irish Department of Transport officials are also engaging closely with colleagues in the Shared Island Unit, Stormont's Department for the Economy, the UK Department for Transport, and the European Commission in relation to any State aid implications and obligations. A Market Sounding Exercise is planned by the Department this year, to better inform the level and frequency of services that may be required on this Public Service Obligation (PSO) air route. Attendees at today's meeting were Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport Charlie McConalogue; Donegal County Council Chief Executive John McLaughlin; Chief Executive of Derry City and Strabane District Council John Kelpie; Chairman of City of Derry Airport Albert Harrison; Deputy Chairman of City of Derry Airport Paul Byrne; Director of City of Derry Airport Seamus Neely; Managing Director of City of Derry Airport Steve Frazer; and Department of Transport officials.
