Google Pixel 9 will be trackable even when powered off
Google Pixel 9 will be trackable even when powered off
Exciting news for Google Pixel fans! The upcoming Pixel 9 series will feature a 'Powered Off Finder' API, allowing you to track your device even when it's turned off.
tl;dr new android version has a feature that lets you upload pre-computed "beacons" to the Bluetooth module. If your hardware allows the Bluetooth module to be powered independently from the rest of the board, it will allow the "find your device" network functionality to work when your phone is off, similar to airtags
Pretty cool if you can opt out / ensure it's not broadcasting w/o your knowledge (like with a built-in user undetectable beacon)
Good news: sniffing Bluetooth low energy beacons is cheap and easy. It's really easy to verify the beacons are turned off on demand. There are Android apps that can sniff beacons.
I wonder how this is going to affect the future and trajectory of GrapheneOS.
I'd have to imagine that Graphene wouldn't support this feature, since it seems pretty ingrained into Google's ecosystem.
Now if they could finally release the tags from Pebblebee and Chipolo..