Android users can now share tracker tag info with airlines to help locate lost luggage

Source: TechCrunch

Find Hub luggage tracking

Google announced a series of new features coming to the Android ecosystem alongside its March software update for Pixel phones, called the Pixel Drop. Notably, Android users now have a new way to find lost luggage. If users have added a Find Hub‑compatible tracker tag to their luggage, they can share a link with participating airlines to help identify the location of the luggage.

In the Find Hub app, users can select their lost item and tap “share item location” to generate a unique, secure URL. They can then copy the link and paste it into the airline’s mobile app or website so the luggage can be tracked as it moves.

Image Credit: Google

Google says the link automatically expires after seven days, and sharing is disabled once the phone detects the luggage is back with the user.

More than 10 global airlines—including Ajet, Air India, China Airlines, the Lufthansa Group (Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Swiss International Airlines), Saudia Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, and Turkish Airlines—now accept Find Hub locations as part of their baggage recovery process. Google plans to partner with additional airlines in the future.

Other Android updates

• Location sharing in Google Messages – Users can now share their real‑time location directly in a conversation, with a map view embedded in the chat.

  
  Image Credit: Google

• Short‑form video feed in Google Play – A new feed of short videos makes it easier for users to discover apps and see how they work without leaving the Play Store.

• Calling Cards in the Phone app – Similar to iPhone’s Contact Poster, users can personalize the look of incoming‑call screens.

• Educational play experience for Android Auto – Kids aged 3‑12 can access a learning‑by‑play experience while riding in the car.

Pixel features

• Circle to Search enhancements – The “Find the Look” tool identifies individual pieces of an outfit, while the new “Try It On” tool pulls outfits from videos, social content, or images received in messages so users can see how clothing looks on them.

  
  Image Credit: Google

• At a Glance widget updates – Real‑time transit updates can now appear on home and lock screens, live game scores for followed teams are shown during matches, and end‑of‑day updates for top movers in a Google Finance watchlist are displayed.

• Pixel Watch improvements –

  • An alert notifies users when they have left their phone behind.
  • The watch can automatically lock the phone when out of range.
  • Pixel Watch 3 adds gesture controls (double pinch or wrist turn) to answer calls, take photos, or pause workouts with one hand.