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

On Tuesday, Google announced a range of new features for the Android ecosystem as part of its March Pixel software update, known as the Pixel Drop. Among the updates is a new tool designed to help travellers locate lost luggage more easily. If Android users have attached a Find Hub–compatible tracker tag to their baggage, they can now generate and share a tracking link with participating airlines so the airline can see the bag's location. In the Find Hub app, users can select their missing item and tap "Share item location" to create a unique, secure URL. That link can then be copied and pasted into the airline's website or mobile application, allowing the airline to track the luggage as it moves.

Google says the link expires automatically after 7 days. Sharing also stops automatically if the user's phone detects that the luggage has been reunited with its owner.

More than 10 airlines worldwide are already participating in the program. These include Ajet, Air India, China Airlines, and the Lufthansa Group (Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Swiss International Airlines), as well as Saudia Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, and Turkish Airlines. These airlines now accept Find Hub location data as part of their baggage recovery processes.

Google says it plans to work with more airlines in the future to expand the program.

Alongside the luggage-tracking feature, Google introduced several additional updates related to location services, calling, and learning tools. Android users can now share their location directly in Google Messages, enabling friends and family to see each other's real-time positions on a map within the conversation.

Google is also introducing a feed of short-form videos inside Google Play to help users discover new apps and understand how they work without leaving the Play Store.

To make phone calls feel more personalised, the Google Phone app is gaining a new feature called "Calling Cards." This feature allows users to customise the appearance of the contact screen shown during incoming calls, similar to the Contact Poster feature available on iPhones.

In addition, Android Auto users now have access to an educational play experience designed for children ages 3 to 12, allowing them to learn through games while in the car.

For Pixel users, Google is enhancing its Circle to Search feature with a new "Find the Look" option that identifies individual items within an outfit. A separate "Try It On" feature lets Circle Search pull clothing from videos, social media posts, or images received in messages so users can see how those outfits might look on them.

Google is also updating the At a Glance widget to provide real-time transit alerts on both the home and lock screens. The widget can also display live scores for teams a user follows during games and provide end-of-day summaries showing the top movers in a user's Google Finance watchlist.

Google also revealed several updates for Pixel Watch users. One new feature alerts users if they accidentally leave their phone behind somewhere. Pixel Watches can also automatically lock a paired phone when the watch detects that the user is out of range, helping prevent unauthorised access.

For Pixel Watch 3 owners, the update also adds gesture controls such as a double pinch or wrist rotation, allowing users to answer calls, take photos, or pause workouts with one hand.