Android users can now share tracking tag information with airlines to help locate lost luggage

Google on Tuesday Announce A series of new features are coming to the Android ecosystem, along with the March software update for Pixel phones, called Pixel Drop. Notably, Android users are getting a new way to find lost luggage. If users add a Find Hub-compatible tracking tag to their baggage, they can now share a link with participating airlines to help locate baggage.

In the Find Hub app, users can now select a missing item and tap “Share item location” to create a unique, secure URL. Users can then copy and paste the link into the airline’s mobile app or website so the baggage can be tracked as it moves.

Google says the link automatically expires after seven days, and that sharing is disabled once your phone detects the luggage has been returned to you.

More than 10 global airlines, including Ajet, Air India, China Airlines, Lufthansa Group (Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Swiss International Airlines), Saudi Arabian Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, and Turkish Airlines now accept Find Hub locations as part of their baggage reclaim process.

Google plans to partner with additional carriers in the future.

Google has released a number of other new features covering 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 launching a feed of short videos in Google Play to make it easier for users to discover new apps and learn how they work without having to leave Google Play.

To make calls feel more personal, the Google Phone app offers “Calling Cards,” which let you customize the look of calling screens for incoming calls, just like the Call Sticker feature on iPhones.

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

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

Google is also rolling out updates to the At a Glance widget, which can send real-time transfer updates to home and lock screens, allow users to view live match scores for all teams followed during matches, and see end-of-day updates for the top movers on their Google Finance watchlist.

As part of today’s announcement, Google shared some new features for Pixel Watch users, including an alert when they leave their phone behind 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 also use gestures like double-tap or wrist rotation to answer calls, take photos, or pause workouts using just one hand.