Google has been reported to be working on a new feature for its Android called "Nearby", which would let users connect to people and services close to them.
Android Police said the new feature would provide "new interactions between you and nearby people, places, and things," according to GMA News.
"When Nearby is turned on for your account, Google can periodically turn on the mic, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and similar features on all your current and future devices. Google+ and other Google services need this access to help you connect, share, and more," the enthusiast website said.
Nearby may reportedly be announced at the search giant's I/O conference later in June, The Verge reported.
The exact uses for the feature have not been mentioned. However, it has been implied that Android phones and tablets would be able to interact with a device belonging to the friend of the user. It could also interact with a device in the user's home, or beacons inside stores. The feature has been reported to let Android users set a reminder that, when users see a specific person, is triggered.
While the microphone would let Android devices recognize each other based on their audio signals, the feature raises concerns about privacy because Google would automatically open up and record audio from the devices, The Verge reported.
Android Police reported that users' privacy would be protected because gathered information would be sent to Google's servers. The servers would match the devices' recordings and send a signal back to them that tells them to connect. Neither phone would be able to obtain the recordings.
The site said there were several potential uses for Nearby, such as reminders, extremely targeted Wallet offers, or other interactions based on locations.
"(B)ut the important part here is that a user wouldn't need to interact with their phone or tablet to let other devices (be they mobile or otherwise) know they are around, and switching on Nearby once would allow the functionality to work with all of a user's devices," GMA News reported.
