There are actually limitations when it comes to using Bluetooth accessories in some way or another, whether it’s a wireless mouse used or headphones used to listen to songs on a smartphone, especially within certain areas of technology.
Google is working on a new Bluetooth distance measurement API that will allow users to know how far their Bluetooth accessories are from their smartphones. Mishaal Rahman of Esper discovered the new Bluetooth distance measurement API and Google has added its code to the AOSP.
While the accuracy of the distance measurement is not precise, the new Bluetooth distance measurement API will tell the approximate location, i.e. whether the user’s smartphone is more or less than 1 meter away from the Bluetooth accessory. Significantly, the new API will use Bluetooth RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) to measure the distance between the phone and the connected device.
However, this is different to how Apple’s AirTag tracker works, which will indicate for the user the correct direction of the missing Bluetooth accessory and also whether it is approaching. In terms of Google’s Bluetooth distance measurement feature, expect to wait until Android 14 to see early signs of it or its full debut.
