“Google comes with Android location service Nearby that can activate microphone”

Google is reportedly working on a new location service for Android called Nearby. The service would allow Google to activate a phone’s microphone, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and similar functions at specific times without user intervention.

AndroidPolice was the first to receive the information about the plans. It states, among other things, that Nearby is intended ‘to connect, share and do more with people, places and things nearby. According to the information, Nearby uses location determination and the location history.

It’s not quite sure how Nearby works exactly, as more details are missing. It is possible that the location service can be used for a so-called audio login. In addition, the smartphone produces a unique sound at an almost inaudible frequency, after which the microphone of the user’s PC picks up that sound and verifies the identity of the owner. Google bought the technology for this in February with the Israeli SlickLogin.

Screenshots posted by AndroidPolice show that for Nearby the user must give Google services such as Google+ permission in advance to collect and share the data. In addition, the user could monitor and determine for which people in the vicinity the device should be findable. This suggests that other functions can also be set separately. Google may announce more about Nearby at the I/O developer meeting at the end of this month.