Google’s Nearby Feature to be introduced soon

According Android Police, Google is planning to introduce its Nearby feature with the new Play Services update. It will apparently, enable you to interact with people, places and things near you. Here’s the official description of the feature from a leaked screen acquired by Android Police:

“Nearby lets you connect, share, and do more with people, places, and things near you.

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.

When you turn on Nearby, you’re also turning on Location History for your account and Location Reporting for this device. Google needs these services to periodically store your location data for use by Nearby, other Google services, and more.”

To make all these interaction possible, without the need of even looking at your device, Google acquired quite a few companies capable of delivering this technology. For example, you may remember that Google bought Bump and SlickLogin a while ago. Users will be able to remain invisible to devices, limiting Nearby not to interact without the user’s knowledge. The new feature will open up many new possibilities in the interaction between our own devices and even home automation.

Apple also announces its similar service, called Continuity. An iOS and OS X based feature that will allow Apple devices to interact with each other automatically when they are close. Some of us may question the necessity of these features and the impact they will bring to our lives. It seems that our private lives won’t be too private for long. Fortunately we will be able to restrict these features from monitoring our every move. A good thing to, as who knows how many marriages will end because of them.