Google discreetly introduced precise Bluetooth follow -up on the Pixel 3 watch

With the Wear OS 5.1 update published last March, Google silently introduced a new feature called Channel Sounding for the Pixel Watch 3 This could improve the precision of the location of other devices using its existing Bluetooth equipment. But while Channel survey is now supported by the smartwatch, it is not yet used because the laptop is one of the first Android devices to implement it, according to Android authorityAnd you need several devices supporting the functionality to work.

The special Bluetooth interest group (GIS) announced the last iteration From its wireless communication protocol in September 2024, and one of the most interesting upgrades of Bluetooth 6.0 has nothing to do with wireless headphones.

Most Bluetooth -based trackers rely on the signal resistance between two connected devices to estimate their distance, but it is often unreliable due to obstacles or interference. Rather, the channel sound measures the time required to send several radio signals at different frequencies between two connected devices. According to Bluetooth GIS, this approach allows “precision in terms of centimeters”, as well as a directional consciousness.

It is easy to determine the exact location of a follow-up device like a Pletag using an iPhone thanks to their use of ultra-large band (UWB) equipment. The wireless UWB protocol offers a more precise spatial consciousness between devices, allowing applications like Apple to find my to determine the exact distance to a tracker like an air aerat and provide directional arrows that guide you to its location.

But UWB requires its own radio and antenna, which increases the material costs of a device. The advantage of channel sound is that it uses Bluetooth equipment which is now common in almost all smartphones, smartwatch and wireless headphones.

The devices will need Bluetooth equipment that supports the new 6.0 protocol, but since the Pixel 3 has almost 10 months at this stage, there are many available devices that are already compatible. We just need more companies to publish software updates that add the support of Bluetooth 6.0 so that we can really start to take advantage of these new features.