Google’s Pixel Tag: a compact $29 tracker that adds Bluetooth Channel Sounding to UWB precision

# What the Pixel Tag is Google's Pixel Tag is the company's first in-house item tracker. It uses Google's Find Hub network and ships November 11th priced at $29, or $99 for a four-pack. The Tag is designed to compete directly with devices like Apple's AirTag while adding a newer Bluetooth-based tracking method to the established UWB option.

# How it locates things The Pixel Tag supports two precision tracking technologies:

• Ultra wideband (UWB): provides direction and distance when you're close and using a phone with a UWB chip.
• Bluetooth 6.0 Channel Sounding: reports exact distance (not direction) and works with devices that include Bluetooth 6.0.

Channel Sounding expands precise locating to more devices than UWB alone. Google says Channel Sounding will display exact distance to the Tag but won't give directional guidance. UWB remains necessary for the arrow-style "point me to it" experience.

# Design and hardware details

• A single button that triggers a sound on your phone if you have the Tag but lost the paired device.
• A built-in speaker that can be rung remotely.
• IP67 dust- and water-resistance.
• A user-replaceable CR2032 coin cell battery that Google says should last for over one year.

# Compatibility and device requirements Hub network, which leverages Android devices' Bluetooth to help locate lost items. Specific feature support depends on your device:

If you have an Android device with Bluetooth 6.0 (and appropriate Pixel models for deep integration), Channel Sounding can provide precise distance even when UWB isn't available.

# Practical implications

# Notable extras

• Pixel Tag integrates with Google's Find Hub network that has been available to third-party trackers for more than two years.
• Google also built in a way to ring the Tag via the Gemini assistant.

Overall, the Pixel Tag is a compact, competitively priced tracker that pairs the established advantages of UWB with a newer Bluetooth-based distance technology to extend precise finding to more Android devices.