I’ve been closely following the rollout of Google’s version of Apple’s “Find My Device” network and recently had the opportunity to review one of the first products to support this ecosystem: the Pebblebee Clip. You can see how it works in my latest review.
This device, retailing for about $30 (compensated affiliate link), aims to bring Android users a tracking solution akin to Apple’s AirTag. In theory, any updated Android phone can detect these trackers and report their location back to Google. However, my initial tests revealed some shortcomings.
Setting up the Pebblebee Clip was not as seamless as expected. I had to uninstall and reinstall the Find My Device app on my Google Pixel 8a to get it working. The device pairs over Bluetooth and features a rechargeable battery, a departure from the replaceable watch batteries used in many trackers, including AirTags. The battery life is advertised to last about a year, though this will vary based on usage.
One significant feature of the Pebblebee Clip is its anti-stalking capability. Google mandates that these devices notify people if they are being followed by a tag not in the owner’s possession. This feature is supposed to work across both Android and iOS devices. However, in my tests, it did not function as intended. When my wife carried the tag around with her iPhone for the better part of the day, she received no notifications, indicating a possible issue with the current implementation.
The user interface for the Pebblebee Clip allows for tracking the device, playing a sound to locate it, and even features a light to assist in finding it in the dark. It also provides a hot and cold directional indicator to help users find the tag when they are close by, although it lacks the precision of Apple’s ultra-wideband technology.
A significant limitation of the Google network is the default setting on Android phones. By default, the phones only participate in the network in “high-traffic” areas where there are a number of other Android phones present in the environment. This setting severely limits the effectiveness of the network in suburban or rural areas. When my wife took the tag to various locations where presumably other Android users would be present, including a grocery store and an art show, I received no location updates until she returned home.
Furthermore, the Pebblebee Clip lacks a “left behind” notification feature, which is present in Apple’s system. This feature alerts users when they move away from their tagged items, such as a bag. Additionally, the RFID scanning feature, which is supposed to allow users to tap the tag against their phone to get the owner’s information, did not work on either my Google or Apple devices in my testing.
Overall, while the Pebblebee Clip has some promising features, it falls short due to the limitations of Google’s network. The default settings and lack of universal device reporting significantly hinder its effectiveness, especially in less densely populated areas. For those in urban environments, it may perform adequately, but for others, Apple’s AirTag remains a more reliable option. Google’s network needs to be more robust and universally accessible to truly compete. Until then, the Pebblebee Clip is an interesting device that highlights the potential and current limitations of Google’s “Find My Device” network.
Many users wrote in to say that I “forgot” Samsung Tags that also have a similar find my device network. I didn’t forget and know it exists.. The point here is that Google is building a network that should work across the entire Android ecosystem – not just Samsung. And it falls short.
