Google smartwatch can now warn users about earthquakes before they hit
Google's earthquake detection feature, which has been available on Android phones for some time now, is coming to wearables powered by Wear OS, as per Google System Release Notes. First spotted by the Android Authority, the new feature will alert Wear OS users by prompting them about an incoming earthquake, right on their wrists. As already mentioned, Google's earthquake detection feature has been around on Android smartphones since August 2020. The service has gradually expanded to more regions over the years, with India joining the list of supported regions in September 2023.advertisementThe way the earthquake detection system works is actually quite clever. Instead of relying only on dedicated seismometers, Google uses motion sensors that are already available on millions of Android smartphones across the world. When several phones in one area detect ground shaking at the same time, Google's servers quickly analyse the data to figure out if it's an earthquake. If it is, the system can send out an early warning to nearby users before the shaking reaches them. These alerts typically show the estimated magnitude and how far you are from the epicentre. In situations where time is critical, even a few seconds' notice can help people move to safety or take cover.Now, this same alert system is expected to make its way to smartwatches running on Wear OS. According to Google's latest System Release Notes, users will receive alerts on their smartwatches when shaking is expected in their area. This means that even if your phone isn't nearby or is on silent, your smartwatch could still notify you of an incoming earthquake, directly on your wrist. And for those who use LTE-enabled watches without carrying a phone, this could be even more useful.advertisement
What the alerts will look like on the smartwatch is not officially confirmed yet, but they are expected to be similar to those on Android phones. That means you might see the estimated magnitude of the quake, along with the distance to the epicentre. Depending on the severity of the earthquake, the alerts can also vary — lighter shaking will result in a simple warning that doesn't disturb your current settings, while stronger quakes can trigger a louder alert with visual warnings, even if Do Not Disturb mode is on.This kind of feature is especially helpful for people living in earthquake-prone regions. While it can't prevent a disaster, having just a few seconds of advance warning can make a big difference. Whether it's enough time to get under a table, move away from a window, or just mentally prepare yourself, those seconds matter.That said, there's still no official word on when this feature will be available in India. Just like with Android phones, it's possible that the rollout could be gradual, starting with select regions and expanding over time. Whether it arrives as part of a major update or through smaller background changes remains to be seen. But once it's live, it will definitely be one of the more meaningful features available on a smartwatch.
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