Recent code that was discovered in the latest Pixel Watch app indicated that Google is enhancing its Emergency SOS feature to minimize the chances of accidentally dialing emergency services in the future.
While the Emergency SOS functions on the top devices such as the iPhone and Google Pixel Watch 3 can be lifesaving, the convenience of quick emergency calling can often lead to unintentional calls.
A quick look at Reddit reveals that both Pixel Watch as well as Apple Watch users frequently face this issue. According to Android Authority, Google is ready to introduce a new ‘Touch & hold to call’ feature aiming at curbing these accidental calls. The code snippets suggest how it will operate, “On your watch, press the crown five times quickly, then touch and hold the screen for three seconds to request assistance.”
This new feature will supposedly be one of two emergency call options, as there is also an ‘automatic call’ setting that will still connect the users to 911, 999 or the local emergency number after pressing the crown five times.
Accidental emergency calls from smartphones and smartwatches are not a recent issue. When Apple launched Crash Detection on the iPhone 14 in 2022, it quickly faced backlash over calls being made in non-emergency scenarios. For example, a 911 dispatch center near a Cincinnati amusement park received six calls from iPhone users who were enjoying rollercoaster rides. Later that same year, a dispatch center in a Colorado ski town got 71 automated calls from iPhones and Apple Watches over just one weekend. This problem significantly strains emergency services. Such calls occupy valuable communication lines for dispatch centers and emergency responders are often dispatched to investigate these false alarms. A dispatch director in 2022 explained to The Colorado Sun that they are not in the practice of disregarding calls.
Thanks for choosing to leave a comment. Please keep in mind that all comments are moderated according to our comment Policy.