Latest news with #AppleiOS
CNET
a day ago
- CNET
Google Revises Android Earthquake Alerts After Major Miss in Turkey
Google says it has updated its Android Earthquake Alerts System after the tool failed to deliver its most urgent warnings to millions of people during the devastating earthquakes in Turkey in 2023. The system, which turns Android phones into "mini seismometers," is designed to detect earthquakes quickly and push alerts to people nearby seconds before strong shaking hits, according to Google. But when two massive quakes struck southern Turkey and Syria in February 2023, the alerts system didn't send out its highest-level "Take Action" notifications to around 10 million people in the region, Google told the BBC. Instead, Android users received lower-level "Be Aware" notifications or nothing at all. Google didn't immediately respond to a request for further comment. The 2023 earthquakes were among the deadliest in the region's modern history, killing more than 50,000 people and displacing millions. Over 70% of phones in Turkey use the company's Android operating system. Apple's competing iOS software does not have a comparable built-in earthquake alert, relying on government warnings. Read more: How to Set Up Emergency Alerts on Your Phone Now How Google is revising its alert system In a paper published earlier this month by the journal Science, Google said it found "limitations to the detection algorithms" during the event. According to the company, the system underestimated the severity of the earthquakes and failed to trigger the top-tier warnings that tell people to take immediate cover. Google says it has since improved the detection algorithm and has resimulated the first Turkey earthquake with improved response results. How Google's alert system works Android's Earthquake Alerts System is available in more than 90 countries and uses tiny vibrations picked up by a phone's accelerometer to spot seismic activity faster than traditional monitoring stations alone. When enough phones detect shaking, Google's system estimates the quake's location, magnitude and impact zone, and then pushes alerts directly to people's screens. The idea is to buy precious seconds before strong shaking starts, hopefully providing enough time for people to drop to the ground, take cover or move to safer locations. The system has been credited with delivering early warnings during quakes in California, Greece and Japan. But the Turkey miss in 2023 highlighted the challenges of building a global warning system that relies on millions of phones and the high stakes when it gets things wrong. The earthquakes in Turkey were unusually complex, involving multiple fault ruptures and powerful aftershocks. This likely made accurate detection harder, but also underscores why timely alerts are so crucial. Read more: Tornadoes, Floods, Wildfires, Intruders: 4 Ways Your Phone Can Help in an Emergency Google says it's continuing to refine its earthquake technology and encourages Android users to keep the feature turned on. Earthquake Alerts is enabled by default on many Android phones, and you can check it under Safety & Emergency settings. With climate and seismic risks rising, mobile-based early warning systems can be a way to reach people faster than traditional sirens or broadcasts. However, Google warns the alert system is meant to complement -- not replace -- national earthquake warning systems.
New York Post
08-07-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Mark Zuckerberg's Threads close to surpassing Elon Musk's X in daily users, data shows
Mark Zuckerberg's 'Twitter killer' app is poised for the kill. Threads — which launched in 2023 as Zuckerberg sought to directly compete with his longtime rival Elon Musk — moved within striking distance of overtaking X, the site formerly known as Twitter, according to data compiled by market research firm Similarweb and reported by TechCrunch on Tuesday. Threads had 115.1 million daily active users across Apple iOS and Android in June, compared to 132 million users for Musk's social media site, which he bought in 2022. according to the data. X's daily active users for June marked a 15.2% decline compared to the same month one year ago, the data showed. Threads, meanwhile, saw a 127.8% year-over-year spike. 3 Threads had 115.1 million daily active users across Apple iOS and Android in June. Getty Images Another competitor, the decentralized social media network Bluesky, remained a distant third. The app had just 4.1 million daily active users in June, though that number was up 372.5% year-over-year. While the competition is heating up on mobile devices, X still has a significant advantage on desktop usage. X had 145.8 billion average daily web visits last month, dwarfing Threads' tally of just 6.9 million and Bluesky's total of 5.3 million, according to SimilarWeb data. 3 Mark Zuckerberg's Threads is gaining users. Theo Von/YoutTube Zuckerberg's decision to debut Threads initially escalated a long-running feud between him and Musk. The two billionaires nearly held a UFC-style cage match after Musk took exception with the product launch. 3 Elon Musk once threatened Meta with legal action over Threads. AFP via Getty Images Zuckerberg, a mixed-martial arts enthusiast, called off the planned bout in August 2023, claiming that Musk wasn't serious about getting into the ring. Musk has complained about the stark similarities between X and Threads – and at one point even threatened to take legal action against Zuckerberg. No lawsuit has surfaced so far.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Arizona weather forecast: Extreme Heat Warning begins in Phoenix
The Brief Our Extreme Heat Warning begins on Sunday, with an emphasis on Monday's temperatures. Sunday through Tuesday is expected to reach more than 110 degrees in the Phoenix area. PHOENIX - Our Excessive Heat Warning has officially begun with a major heat risk impacting the Valley through Tuesday. What we know Temperatures on Sunday topped 114, which is 7 degrees above normal. Tonight we can expect overnight lows dropping to around 87 degrees. Monday will be the warmest day under the excessive heat with a high close to 116 degrees. There will be a high risk of heat-related illnesses including heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Make sure to stay hydrated and avoid exposure to the sun during peak heat. Monsoon Moisture Approaches Temperatures will eventually cool down to below-average readings as we get closer to the 4th of July when moisture begins to move in. Showers and thunderstorms are still forecast to move into the high country beginning on Tuesday. Shower chances remain highest on Thursday and potentially a chance of thunderstorms on Friday for the Valley. You can always check the latest weather conditions by visiting the FOX 10 Phoenix weather page, or download the Free FOX 10 Weather app, which is available on Apple iOS and Android. Scroll down this page for satellite and radar, day planner, records, current temperatures, 10-day forecast, forecast highs, and recent rainfall totals, plus live video feeds. The Arizona Department of Health Services stated the following precautions can be taken to prevent heat exhaustion or heat stroke: Stay in air-conditioned buildings Find a cooling center/hydration station Limit outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day (mid-day) Check on at-risk friends, family, and neighbors at least twice a day Drink water before, during, and after working or exercising outside Check the UV Index Check the heat risk map Call 511 anywhere in Arizona or 1-888-411-ROAD (7623) The Arizona Department of Transportation's tips for driving in extreme temperatures include: Have sun protection: In addition to an umbrella, take sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat and wear loose-fitting, light-colored cotton clothing. Fuel up: Keep your tank at three-quarters full. Running out of gas, especially in a remote location, is dangerous in extreme heat. Hydrate: Take a cooler to keep extra drinking water cold, and consider adding several frozen bottles of water to use for cooling off or to thaw and drink if needed. Make sure everyone, including pets, stays hydrated. Get help: If your vehicle breaks down in extreme heat, call for assistance right away to reduce wait time, and run the AC. If the AC isn't working, roll down all windows. Wait safely: If the temperature inside your vehicle becomes too hot, everyone, including pets, should exit carefully and seek out or create a shaded area as far away from the travel lanes as possible. Be careful walking on the road surface, which can be hot enough to burn skin. Keep your shoes on and try to keep your pets' paws off the pavement. If you are stopped along the highway, raise the front hood and turn on hazard lights. Please keep in mind that parking in tall brush can start a fire. Check your vehicle: You can help avoid breakdowns and blowouts by making sure your vehicle is in good operating condition. Check your air conditioner and coolant levels, top off any vital engine fluids and make sure your battery is up to par. Check your tire pressure, as the combination of under inflated tires and hot pavement can lead to a blowout. MORE:
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Arizona weather forecast: Highs in the 100s as we head into the weekend
The Brief Friday will be slightly warmer in the Valley, with a high of about 103 degrees. We'll stay warm and dry through the weekend in Phoenix. Next week, highs will hover around the mid-100s. PHOENIX - Now that the rain has moved out of the Valley, we'll see dry conditions and warmer temps as we head into the weekend. What To Expect On June 5, we saw sunny skies and a high of 100 degrees in Phoenix. Weather conditions on Friday will be similar, with a slightly-warmer high of 103°F. What they're saying "Near normal temperatures for today and tomorrow. Temperatures will gradually rise to above normal temperatures by this weekend along with widespread Moderate HeatRisk across the Desert SW," the National Weather Service Phoenix wrote on X. What's next Next week we'll stay warm with highs in the mid-100s. You can always check the latest weather conditions by visiting the FOX 10 Phoenix weather page, or download the Free FOX 10 Weather app, which is available on Apple iOS and Android. Scroll down this page for satellite and radar, day planner, records, current temperatures, 10-day forecast, forecast highs, and recent rainfall totals, plus live video feeds.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Arizona weather forecast: Rainy June continues on Monday in Phoenix
The Brief We're seeing rainy weather for the start of June in Arizona. It's a month typically known for heat, but also the start of monsoon season. The rain will give way to sunshine and warmer temps later this week. PHOENIX - We're off to a wet start in the month of June this year, and we'll see more rain on Monday before the wet weather gives way to sunshine. What we know Sunday was a record-setting day in Phoenix for daily rainfall, according to the National Weather Service. On June 2, we'll see more scattered showers in the Valley. The high will reach about 92 degrees. "Rainy conditions are beginning to taper off across the Phoenix metro early this morning. Outside of the East Valley, measurable rain upwards of a quarter to half inch were common, with other spots receiving up to an inch, with the winner of over 1.75" north of Surprise," the National Weather Service Phoenix wrote on X. The rain caused some traffic issues on Monday morning. Along the westbound Loop 101 at 75th Avenue, standing water shut down the roadway. What's next On Tuesday, the rain will give way to sunshine and warmer temperatures. We'll be back in the triple digits by Wednesday. You can always check the latest weather conditions by visiting the FOX 10 Phoenix weather page, or download the Free FOX 10 Weather app, which is available on Apple iOS and Android. Scroll down this page for satellite and radar, day planner, records, current temperatures, 10-day forecast, forecast highs, and recent rainfall totals, plus live video feeds.
