The increasing number of iPhones and other Apple devices in use allowed Apple to create a unique device tracking service. It can help users find …
Published Apr 29th, 2021 3:12PM EDTThe increasing number of iPhones and other Apple devices in use allowed Apple to create a unique device tracking service. It can help users find lost phones, tablets, and other devices even if those gadgets are not connected to the internet or do not have enough battery life. Apple furtherto launch the AirTag tracker that can ping any nearby iPhone to send out location information about a lost object.
Google might not have the same control over the Android network to offer similar object-tracking functionality, but it has found a different way to leverage the massive number of Android devices out there. It’s using them to provide a unique service that will be incredibly useful in certain places. Google built an earthquake detection system on top of Android that could provide early warnings about local seismic activity and save lives.
Smartphones can detect earthquakes thanks to an internal component that’s found inside all these devices, regardless of the operating system. It’s called the accelerometer and it can pick up movement, including seismic waves that occur during earthquakes. Google’s Android-based earthquake detection system can complement the existing networks of seismometers, or replace them in areas where they’re not widely deployed.
Google’s initial earthquake detection efforts included a partnership with the United States Geological Survey and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to send alerts to Android users in California. Google collected earthquake data and then used it to provide information to users searching for “earthquake” or “earthquake near me” on their phones.
To work, the system has to have a large enough number of users willing to let Google use accelerometer data. It’s not immediately clear from Google’s announcement what the privacy implications are. Using connected devices to detect earthquakes is a smartphone feature that might save lives. But Google has had plenty of mishaps with user privacy and location data in the past.
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