Android users can now share tracker tag information with airlines to help find lost luggage

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

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

Google says the link automatically expires after seven days, and that sharing is turned off if your phone detects that the load has returned to you.

More than 10 global airlines, including Ajet, Air India, China Airlines, 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 claim process.

Google plans to collaborate with other airlines in the future.

Google has released a number of other new features including location, calls, and education. For example, Android users can now share their locations directly in Google Messages, allowing people to see each other in real time on a map within a conversation.

Google is also introducing a short-form video feed on Google Play to make it easier for users to discover new apps and see how they work without leaving Google Play.

To make calls feel more personal, the Google Phone app is introducing “Calling Cards,” which let you customize the appearance of contact screens on incoming calls, much like the Contact Poster feature on iPhones.

Additionally, Android Auto users now have access to educational gaming experiences for kids ages 3 to 12 designed to help them learn through games.

As for the new Pixel features, the tech giant is updating its Circle Search feature with a “Find the Look” tool that identifies individual pieces of clothing. The new “Try It On” tool allows Circle To Search to extract clothes from videos, social content, or photos found in messages to see how the clothes look on the user.

Google also introduced updates to its At a Glance widget, which can send real-time updates to home and lock screens, allow users to view live game scores for all teams they follow during games, and see end-of-day updates for top scorers in their Google Finance watchlist.

As part of today’s announcement, Google shared several new features for Pixel Watch users, including an alert when they’ve left their phones somewhere. Pixel Watches can now automatically lock the phone when the user is out of range to prevent bad actors from accessing their device.

Pixel Watch 3 users can now use gestures like a double-tap or a twist of the wrist to answer calls, take photos, or stop a workout using just one hand.