Beyond fresh AI tricks, Google continues to improve life-saving features on Android. Last year, the company expanded its earthquake emergency alerts to smartwatches. However, this initially required an active connection with a host phone to mirror notifications on the wearable. That delay could be critical if you have your watch with you but are away from your smartphone. This is changing with the latest update, potentially saving more lives during crises.
You Won’t Need a Phone for Critical Alerts
The change was discovered in the official release notes of the latest Play Services update, via Android Authority. It states that a Wear OS device will now receive vital alerts even if it is unpaired from a phone. This confirms that the wearable no longer needs a constant smartphone connection to receive critical warnings, provided the watch has its own internet access.
This tweak seems to apply to both cellular and Wi Fi models of Wear OS smartwatches. Previously, there was no confirmation if standalone watches with cellular connectivity could receive these alerts without being tethered to a smartphone.
While it is a subtle technical change, it is a significant lifesaver. During emergency events where every second counts, this update could warn users earlier, allowing them to take safety measures, such as seeking shelter or evacuating a building, before stronger shaking arrives.
How Android Devices Detect Emergencies
Google’s earthquake alert system works by collectively tapping into smartphone sensors to detect specific ground movements or vibrations in a local area. Google then confirms this data and broadcasts an alert through its system. In the U.S., the search giant has partnered with various organizations and agencies that manage detection systems to integrate their data with this feature.
For users without a Wear OS smartwatch or an Android smartphone, there are also government-level broadcast systems. These serve to alert the public during calamities such as typhoons, fires, and blizzards, in addition to seismic events.
What other life-saving features does your smartwatch have? Share them with us in the comments below.
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