is a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO.
Google is rolling out an Android update that includes the ability to share the location of your missing luggage with an airline. It’s similar to the luggage-tracking feature Apple brought to the iPhone, allowing you to view the location of your Find Hub tag or accessory on a map, and provide your airline with a link to the information they need to track it down.
So far, several airlines support the new Find Hub feature, including AJet, Air India, China Airlines, Saudia Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and the Lufthansa Group, which owns Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Swiss International Air Lines. Google says more airlines, such as Qantas, will accept Find Hub links in the future. When asked whether US-based airlines plan to add this feature, Google spokesperson Sofia Giovannello told The Verge that the company is “actively working with additional airline partners to integrate this feature into their luggage recovery processes, and we look forward to sharing more updates.”
GIF: Google
You can stop sharing your bag’s location at any time, and links will expire after seven days. Google notes that it will encrypt your item’s location and device location data, as well as disable tracking once your phone detects that your item has returned. The company is also working with the luggage maker Samsonite to embed its Find Hub into its newest designs.
Luggage tracking isn’t the only change coming to Android, as you can now share your location with friends and family members directly in Google Messages. You can see a real-time view of each other’s location within Google Messages, which could come in handy if you’re meeting up with someone in a crowded area, like an airport or concert.
Other updates include the ability to design your own custom Calling Card, just like Contact Posters on iOS. Google previously only allowed your contacts to design a card for you, but now you can do it yourself, letting you share it with everyone on your contacts list or only your saved contacts. Google is also adding a carousel of short-form videos to the Play Store that highlight different apps, as well as a new games option on Android Auto that houses “teacher-approved” games that kids can play while you’re parked.